Pushing the Boundaries: The Wicker Man (1973) 4K Restoration
- Sun, Aug 25
Director: Robin Hardy Run Time: 94 min. Rating: R Release Year: 1973
Starring: Britt Ekland, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Edward Woodward, Ingrid Pitt
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
The 1970s: Pushing the Boundaries
A Film Center retrospective on the most groundbreaking films to come out of the 1970s.
About the film:
One of the most revered folk-horror films ever made, The Wicker Man (1973) returns to our screen with a new 4k restoration in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle, is not what it seems as the devoutly religious detective soon uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy.
A unique and bone-fide horror masterpiece, the film is brilliantly scripted by Anthony Schaffer and features an astounding performance by the legendary Christopher Lee. Director Robin Hardy’s atmospheric use of location, unsettling imagery and haunting soundtrack gradually builds to one of the most terrifying and iconic climaxes in modern cinema.
About the filmmaker:
Robin Hardy was an English author and film director best known for his film The Wicker Man (1973). He also directed The Wicker Tree (2011), a “spiritual sequel” adapted from his own novel Cowboys for Christ, and The Fantasist (1986). He did directing work for the National Film Board of Canada and for the Esso World Theater strand on the PBS channel in the United States. He co-wrote the story and screenplay for the film Forbidden Sun (1989).
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