'The Wicker Man (1973)' review + plot holes

This video, in a rather late celebration of Hallowe'en, seeks to review the original 'Wicker Man' film, directed by Anthony Shaffer, but also to discuss a couple of the minor plot holes I noticed while watching this film.
'The Wicker Man (1973)' is still. an exceptional, foreboding horror piece with intriguing imagery, but I simply thought these little weaknesses might be a good platform for discussion.
I should also warn you of spoilers ahead.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• The
• Wicker
• Man
• 1973
• Edward
• Woodward
• Christopher
• Lee
• Britt
• Eklund
• paganism
• horror
• psychological

[HelmetHeadUK]

You sound like Chance Gardner from 'Being There' is this deliberate?

[QUANTUMJOKER]

@HelmetHeadUK

I've never heard of Being There or Chance Gardner.

When you say that I sound like him, is that a compliment? If so, thanks!

[pleatherforbreakfast]

What did your parents think about the movie?

[QUANTUMJOKER]

@pleatherforbreakfast

Both of my parents love this film. As a matter of fact, they were the ones who introduced me to 'The Wicker Man'.

Conversely, I borrowed the Nicolas Cage remake shortly after, and the three of us watched it together.

As you can guess, we all regretted it.

[sweetprism00]

I could be totally wrong; it wouldn't be the first time, but what *I* took from this movie is the same theme I take from lots of "Utopia" movies; basically, every society has a hierarchy, and even "paradise" has its sinister, hypocritical side. There was a lot of anti-hippie sentiment in 1973 as a residual from the peak & subsequent end of the war. The Stepford Wives of the 70's was a metaphor for the womens' lib; movies back then MEANT something... I guess that's what I got from it.

[PeyaLuna]

about the second plot-hole, the lord clearly stated in his explanation that, although his grandfather started it as an experiment, he is a true believer. the testimony of him + the townspeople is simple: it´s the whole string of events leading howie to his doom. remember: they all helped with their lies + planting false leads. also choosing a police man as a sacrifice is about as risky as you can get. if they didn´t truly believe, they could´ve just pick at random, e.g. a tramp of the streets.

[PeyaLuna]

@TheTootitoot i agree, 3-4 generations are easily enough to establish new ways. the children learn religion from their parents, no matter if its 2000 years old or just a hundred. also i believe the initial transition wasn´t that hard, there are still many heathen symbolism hidden in our 'christian' rituals and celebrations if you only look for them, e.g. the easter-bunny which used to be a fertility-symbol of the celtic goddess of spring. add some superstitions and bam! new religion ;-)

[n13rvert]

Re. plot holes -- Howie echoes with other sacrificies heroes, including Christ and other sacrificed "bridegrooms" (it' important that he's about to be marrried), as well as tempted knights like Sir Gawain. In the somewhat askew "ethics" of Summerisle, trying to seduce him, as well as trying to warn him away from the Island, all were part of making sure he was sacificed of his own "free will." (I don't agree with their defiition of "free" -- in his role as a cop, maybe. In specifics, they cheated

[toolongforyoutoread6]

The landlord's daughter tried to seduce Howie to see if he was so devout to abstinence that he would be a virgin.

[MemorandusMusic]

Sup, we made a song about this great film, please listen :D

[sirsteed]

They had her try to seduce him in order to test him to see if he was suitable for the sacrifice. You are correct by saying had he given in, he would not have been used.

[TheTootitoot]

In answer to your queery regarding the strength of belief of both the islanders and sgt Howie, Howie's hardline beliefs are representative of traditional Scottish Presbyterianism. This type of Christianity is most common in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, particularly the Isle of Lewis as well as Inverness. Highlanders would call him a 'wee free'. Also perhaps the islanders have gained such strong beliefs over 3/4 generations, especially if it was strongly encouraged by their laird.