THE WICKER MAN

With Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland
Directed by Robin Hardy

The Wicker Man became a cult film shortly after its release in the early- to mid-70s. Partly because it never got the full release it deserved (due to studio disinterest) and because the original cut was rumoured to be lost forever. The subject matter also lent itself to a less mainstream interest. A policeman is summoned to an island off the Scottish coast to investigate the case of a missing girl. He gets embroiled in a sinister community that seems still to be following ancient pagan rites and rituals. It far surpassed the cheesy Hammer Horror camp that one expected of Christopher Lee. This double DVD release contains both the original release and the director's cut. Cast and crew commentary, documentaries, biographies, TV & radio spots, a Christopher Lee interview and a CD-Rom feature containing the theatrical press brochure makes this the package hardcore fans have been waiting decades to possess. They sure don't make them like this anymore.

5 / B
- PB