20 Cult British Films You Need To See Before You Die
4. The Wicker Man (1973)
Sgt. Howie arrives on a remote Scottish island to ostensibly investigate the disappearance of a young girl called Rowan. A staunch Christian, Howie is dismayed at the widespread Paganism the islanders practice. As he tries to solve the mystery, he gets deeper and deeper into a web of sinister religious practices and festivals - culminating in the burning of the titular Wicker Man. Undoubtedly one of the greatest British horror films of all time, The Wicker Man features very strong performances from Edward Woodward as the increasingly horrified Sgt Howie and Christopher Lee as the eloquent and seemingly benign Lord Summerisle. The landscape of the film is absolutely beautiful and provides a perfect backdrop for Pagan shenanigans. Not just a horror though, The Wicker Man is a great British movie full stop. And it lacks the silliness of its remake - "Not the Bees!". Indeed, not the bees.
My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!
