14. Human Sacrifice - The Wicker Man (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apm4KX9UBM0 Policeman Howie is called to an island called Sumerisle where a young girl called Rowan has disappeared. He observes the natives' pagan rituals with great disdain as he is a devout Christian but he is determined to find the girl. When he finds her, he thinks he has fulfilled his mission but the natives gather round him and tell him he has been purposely lured here to be sacrificed. They lead him to a giant man made out of wicker and force him into it and set it on fire. The sight of the natives holding hands and singing as Howie burns, desperately reciting Psalm 23, calling out Jesus' name and crying out to God to take him to heaven is a highly scary moment. The beauty of the spectacle makes it even chillier.
Clare Simpson
Contributor
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!
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Clare