For most, a visit to a remote Hebridean island would be a welcome escape from the commotion of 21st century life. However, as Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward) steps off his seaplane into the serene Summerisle there is a strong sense of impending danger as this vehicle which proves eventually to be unreliable is his means of escaping the austere setting. Though Robin Hardy, the films director, is capable of producing an incredibly ominous tone throughout in spite of the apparently tranquil setting, it is hard not to walk away from the final, terrifying scene feeling somewhat frustrated at Howie. All he had to do to avoid being burned alive was accept the advances of Willow (Britt Ekland) and he wouldve rendered himself invalid to be used as a human sacrifice. But no he had to cite his Catholicism as a reason to spurn the advances of Britt Eklands dishy character. What is perhaps the most terrifying about The Wicker Man is that it completely foregoes on traditional tactics used by horror directors to frighten us. There is virtually no gore, no jump-scares and no things that go bump in the night. Instead, Robin Hardy shows us how the corrupting power of blind faith, blatantly simulated pleasantries and a smiling Christopher Lee can be far more unnerving than a psychopath with a knife.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
