MoFo Top 100 Horror Movies: The List

The Wicker Man takes a psychological horror-mystery story and wraps it in an intriguing script that explores both Druidism and the agriculture of a small Scottish Isle that is warmed by the gulf stream. As unlikely as this might seem, the story is very plausible and that's why its believable. If a mystery horror story isn't believable it won't work....The Wicker Man works!

Playing off the innate human fear of strangers, the film shows us the inhabitants of a small Gaelic community and makes them seem strange to the outsider. Edward Woodward is that outsider, a rather stoic and inflexible police sergeant from the big city, London. His awkwardness at dealing with the tight knit, close mouth community makes him at odds. His angst and mistrust is where the film gets its tension from. In the movie the fear of strangers takes the role of an antagonist. We the viewer then fear the towns folks because the sergeant does.

A real treat for fans of 1960s-1970s horror films is the memorable role of legendary Christopher Lee. A towering man with a calm voice and yet so intimidating in his screen presence.

Another treat is Britt Ekland who was introduce in this film. In what has to be seen to be believed, Britt does a musical number in which she attempts to beguile the police sergeant. Her movements and the way the scene is shot give the look of an early music video, quite artistic....and she does it in the nude too.

The Wicker Man has an intelligent story and weaves an intriguing narrative of an island that turned from Christianity and embraced Druidism. Filmed in Scotland which gives this film an even more realistic feel.