Picking sides in The Wicker Man
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- SPOILERS FOR THE WICKER MAN (1973)
Director Robin Hardy has referred to The Wicker Man (1973) as not a cult film, but a film with a cult. I think he's right, and that's the scariest thing about it. All the obvious horror is contained to the very end of the movie, but once you've seen the movie a few times, it becomes clear that the horror is there right from the start, in almost every moment the villagers are on screen. Also Christopher Lee is absolutely crushing it.
Did I mention that I love The Wicker Man (1973)? Ha ha, it's true!
Topics discussed: The Wicker Man (of course), horror, killer pov, cinematography, cults, religions, belonging, general movie analysis
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this is kinda why I like showing people this movie so much. when you watch it with someone who doesn't know the mystery they identify with Howie, while you're in on the joke and watching from the villagers pov, so you almost feel like you're tricking your friend and helping the villains in their deception of another "fool". it's like a fun little type of interactive storytelling
I literally did this to my husband last week. I'd seen the movie a number of times but he had never seen it. The look of horror on his face at the end was priceless. I felt awful but enjoyed his experience and felt just like the deceiving villagers!
The policeman IS the beetle going around in circles until he is eventually trapped at the end of the film and can go no further. Like the beetle, Howie can't see it yet, but they can as they tease him with clues about what's he's really involved in.
Did not realize the sargent in this was also in Hot Fuzz! One of MY favorite movies! Clearly done on purpose in the casting given the whole vibe of Hot Fuzz's charming little English village with dark secrets lol. I've met my "learned a new thing each day" quota with this.
Oh, that's cool! Thanks for pointing that out.
It's worth checking the IMDb credits for a lot of the Sandford villagers - the farmer (whose Mum gets kicked in the face) was a villain in Hellraiser 2
i love the choice of a shiny, black beetle for the insect tied to the nail, with howie in the reverse shot in that puffed-up, black uniform, covered in shiny buttons. great mise en scene.
also, that „outsider horror/insider comfort“ theme is why i think this film would be a neat double feature for midsommar, which is all about the horror of moving from one to the other.
I think there is one other plot point that is easily missed at the end of the film. There is a scene where Howie is surrounded and is told about why he will be sacrificed. Howie then tells Lord Summerisle that the crops will still not grow and it will be him that will be sacrificed the following year. For a moment, you can tell Lord Summerisle has fear by looking at his face. There are two possible reasons for this, either one he does not truly believe the crap he is shoveling to Howie and realizes he painted himself into a corner. The other possible reason is he realizes that he finally has created a monster he can longer control because he will be the sacrifice the people demand next.
That's one of my favourite moments in the film. Lee lets a moment of doubt show on his face but then he goes right back into cheerfully singing along with the villagers. I think Summerisle genuinely believes the ritual will work but that moment of doubt is not enough to overcome his beliefs. Of your two reasons it probably leans more towards the second. It shows how people in those kinds of groups/cults can suppress doubts about what they're doing.
Good essay! Fun fact, the novel this film is based on ("Ritual" by David Pinner) was originally set in Cornwall, where I'm from!
Stories like these, even without necessarily the religious aspect, do a good job of showing how villages often end up with a very clique-y mentality, and can be quite playfully hostile to outsiders. With that in mind, it completely makes sense that Edward Woodward would want to go on to be in Hot Fuzz - finally he got to play a villager who's in on the joke!
I didn't know about this book! I read The Wicker Man which was written after the movie and it was awful. I need to read The Ritual now! Love this movie.
Ya'll have no idea how happy I am to see new stuff from Jenna.
She has an older channel?
SAME
@@kostajovanovic3711 Polygon
this was perfect halloween viewing for me! i kept laughing bewilderedly whenever they played some silly music on top of him running around desperately - even though i really did want to sympathise with him. just goes to show how easily i'm manipulated by plucky tunes. also the innkeeper's smirk deserves an award
I've seen the wickerman (1973) probably a dozen or two times but I also went ahead and rewatched it for this video. It's so goddamn triumphant, every time I watch it it gives me life. I love the absolute zest Christopher Lee acts with. The Walt Whitman segment AHHH it's SO GOOD. life affirming and subversive, there's no movie I could watch as often and still be so energized every time (except maybe Shock Treatment, Shock Treatment is a bop). Someday I want to sculpt all the treats from the post office at dollhouse scale. There's so much to look at in there!
aye, Shock Treatment mention!!! horror musicals are the best musicals
I don't think I could ever watch the Wicker Man because of my anxiety, but I have to say that the conciseness and clarity of this video is such a breath of fresh air on youtube; I'm so used to (and do enjoy occasionally) a 2+ hour video essay, but this was just so tightly written and had all the information of a longer video just phrased out really concisely. really looking forward to anything else you post!
Thank you! I am a sucker for those longer videos, but I don't have the STAMINA
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this movie years and years ago, but I fell in love with it so quickly.
I remember watching this movie as a 10 year old with my dad and being so convinced that someone was going to swoop in at the last minute to save him even when the wicker man began to burn. Truly one of the strongest emotional responses to a film I’ve had, Jenna’s right it’s one of the best films ever made.
This may literally be what makes me sit down with the Wicker Man- I can't say how excited I am to see Jenna essays again.
Christopher Lee is a LEGEND! He has so much fun playing his role.
Really enjoyed your analysis. Such a great movie. I first saw it when I was a teenager, and although I enjoyed it, I really couldn't truly appreciate all it's subtle tricks and messages. Now, I feel like each time I watch it, I see something new.
for all its problems, we can thank the remake for raising awareness of this weird 70's british fever dream. it's probably been 15 years since I've watched it... I'm due for a revisit. uh, of the original, I mean.
Delighted to see Jenna back especially singing praises of the amazing Wickerman.
The first time I watched this movie was 1999, and I thought myself a true horror aficionado and expert. How wrong I was! While standard horror movies gave me thrills and chills as they are supposed to, I always knew I would come back to reality. But when I watched The Wicker Man for the first time, I was deeply *disturbed*. I could not shake a pervading feeling of dread, and it took me a while to process what I had just seen. After some time, I came to the conclusion that the reason I was so disturbed was that the events portrayed COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN! Although far-fetched and very unlikely, there is just the chance that some sinister pagan cult somewhere remote could exist! The Wicker Man is not “horror,” but it is *horrific*. And everyone I have shown this amazing film to has left with the same feeling of dread that they could not articulate. One lady friend of mine and fellow horror and gore fan told me flat out that she loved the movie but would never watch it again! This movie deserves its title as “The Citizen Kane of Horror Movies!”
Former film class TA here, and I love watching Jenna, so this feels like it’s custom made for me. Great video!!!
I wish I could give everyone my perfect experience seeing The Wicker Man for the first time-- mid-90s, before it had a rep, a friend brought it over saying "I liked this, I thought you'd probably like it too." That's it! Zero hype, zero knowledge of what it was about, didn't even know anyone considered it a horror movie. I was absolutely watching it as a mystery. The end was delightfully shocking. Suddenly all the "local color" up until that moment became foreshadowing. That complete recontextualization of everything seen til then, all in one burst of revelation... a masterpiece.
And even when you don't know where it's going, the movie's really good at tugging your sympathies in both directions. Howie is so unpleasant and judgmental compared to the friendly villagers with their seemingly casual pagan folk beliefs which they patiently explain to him in an open, non-dogmatic way every time he asks, no matter how much he sneers. They're so much more likeable than Howie! But because Howie is so earnestly dedicated to finding a missing girl, you're always on his side in his search, whether or not you like him. That beautifully constructed tension is one of the many things that make it such an amazing film.
I've loved everything you have put out and this is no exception. So excited for this channel!!!
happy to enjoy some new video essays!
Great video! I've missed your essays
I'm not a big horror person but you've really got me wanting to watch this movie! Great, concise analysis as always!! Excited to see what you do next
Thank you for using the word “Wicker” as a verb. I didn’t know that was something my life desperately needed.
Glad to see you back at it! Haven't seen this movie in years and it's great to go through all of that again.
This was great. I love people who can make great horror analysis on youtube and make it look easy.
Sadly I was spoiled before the first time I saw the Wicker Man (it’s a very old movie, hard to avoid), so I never really experienced it from Howie's perspective. Each time I watch it, I get so drawn in with the villagers, and I can't help but feel like I would love to live on Summer Isle. As far as cults go, it's a fun one. Or at least, as long as the good harvests last.
i kept giggling every time you cut to the titular shot of the wicker man, so i guess you're right about us siding with the village, oopsy
Ohhhhhhh Jenna I am so happy to have these kinds of videos back!
I’ve gone my whole life knowing nothing about The Wicker Man other than that everyone loves to make fun of the remake. This was a WONDERFUL way to both satisfy a curiosity I wasn’t aware that I had, AND to pique my interest in actually watching the film myself! Thank you so much for this, I’m mega looking forward to seeing more!
Hey this is just fantastic. I have loved this movie for years. The first time I saw it, I was shown it by an English friend who brought it over one night. I've watched it several times since, but that initial time, I was quite tired and had fallen asleep near the end, only to be woken by the strains of "Sumer is icumen in" and was like HOLY CRAP NO WAY.... so you can imagine that initial experience hooked me. Your analysis is fantastic. One of my favorite scenes is actually when Lord Summerisle is giving Howie a tour and telling him things about the place, while Howie munches on a delicious apple. It feels kind of analogous to the tropes where the villain reveals his plan to the hero before attempting to carry it out... and of course in this case, the plan actually DOES go according to plan!
So excited for more Jenna analysis, especially for a horror movie!
I love stories that offer multiple viewpoints on rewatch/reread/relisten. It reminds me of Arthur Conan Doyle and his brother-in-law, whose opinions on how fiction affects the morality of a society are still relevant. Hornung (the brother-in-law) thought that people weren't so stupid to believe that crime was right just because it was cool in fiction, and Doyle thought otherwise. I sometimes think about how each of them would have written something like the Wicker Man, and always conclude that both would have done a worse job than the actual creator did. Nuance is a beautiful thing that both sort of lacked most of the time
Yes! I'm so excited to see more of your essays. I'm not super into horror movies but I love the analysis of them and the genre as a whole 💚
Just saw this movie for the first time last night for the 50th anniversary celebration. A few people in the audience were miffed that it was oreceeded by an hour long recording of the actual pre-screening discussion on stage from the anniversary event.
I didnt mind, alrhough i used my headphones to block out quite a bit so as to not be spoiled.
That said, I absolutely LOVED this film it was terrifying. I didnt know anything about this movie other than the end, so knowing the fate of the sergeant enhanced my experience so much.
I like to say that my favourite experience when it comes to unease is something ill dub... "The avoidable inevitable". Like watching a car come at you. Its honking and blazing, but you still stand in the way, and then STILL get shocked when it hits you. Idk if that makes sense.
LOVE THIS REVIEW! This is one of my absolute favourite films, and you put my feelings into words FAR better than I could. When I saw it as a kid, it really DID scare me. Now, I find it disturbing on a very deep level. The music seems an eccentricity my first few viewings, but the more I see it, the more brilliant it becomes. Then the ending... the ending is both horrifying and truly beautiful. Constable Howie's reaction to seeing the Wicker Man before WE do is INSANELY perfect and terrifying (apparently they didn't let Edward Woodward see the Wicker Man before this, and this is his actual reaction). Thanks for a great review - definitely earned a new subscriber!
I watched The Wicker Man for the first time last year (per Jenna's recommendation) and seeing this video posted reminded me I needed to watch it again, and it's almost definitely going to be a yearly rewatch for me from now on. Very much looking forward to more Jenna Content(tm) in the near future!
so excited to have another channel that produces media analyses for pieces of media I have literally never seen!!! truly my favorite genre (and a great way to add new films and stuff to my future watch list)
i'm so excited for jenna videos!! you're absolutely brilliant and i can't wait to see the stuff you get up to :D
I have never watched the wickerman (due to being a huge scaredycat and can't really stomach horror in general), but this video has piqued my interest! Maybe I'll ask a friend to watch it with me...
Glad to see you back!
Its honestly not a typical horror scary story. I don't do horror but iv watched this movie many times. It's brilliant.
I'm so excited to see more Jenna videos! I haven't seen The Wicker Man yet, but I just placed a hold on it at my local library!
Imagine having Corn Rigs and Barley in your OST and people denying that this isn’t a 5 star film
The soundtrack for this film is outstanding. I don’t like musicals much at all, but this is one of my few exceptions
Great movie, great essay! Thanks for pointing out the broken picture frame, I have never noticed it!
Great video. The ending of this movie was genuinely one of the most terrifying scenes I’ve seen
I appreciate seeing the pumpkin in the background of this video. May their thick cake live on forever in our hearts.
I ended up buying the Blu Ray of The Wicker Man after you talked about it on an old MinnMax pod, and I absolutely loved it. One of the few films I've seen I'd rate a full 10/10. I think this video is the one thats going to make me re-watch the film again. I have really enjoyed all of your video essays so far!
great work, Jenna. This format is perfect, you go to the point in a objective manner and the writing is smart and well constructed (as expected of you). I watched this movie when I was younger and it didn't live up to my expecations at the time, but now, even with the spoilers, I wanna give another shot at it! I wish you all the success in the world, Jenna, you are an incredible writer, full of charisma and wits.
Nothing I love more than Jenna talking about horror, so excited for this channel content!
I watched this movie last Halloween because Jenna suggested it! Thanks Jenna, love to see you back with video essays. Boosting the algorithm and also thanking you for fun content, I’m looking forward to more videos!
You finally pushed me to watch this film so I could watch your video.
Fantastic wee reaction.
I lived in Kirkcudbright where much of the movie was shot for a while.
Eerie to spend my days wandering about those streets. There's a real atmosphere.
I'm so glad we still get to watch Jenna analysis vids and support you!
This is one of my favorite movies, too. Looking forward to watching more of your content
Well I'm off to see the movie! I'm happy that you've started your own channel and looking forward to more videos!
Back when airplanes came with mini-tvs but only had preset channels play selected films, they wouldn’t reset until all the films ended. They had the Nic Cage version and it was the longest one. We had to wait for it to end. Since it was a 12 hour flight, I got bored towards the end and flipped to that channel to see the moment he is burned alive watching in absolute horror. That images sticks with me to this day. Did not know it was a remake. Horrifying and cool to know!
You go, girl! I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next
kinda refreshing to watch a shorter vid focused on a specific aspect of a thing, though I still do love my hours-long deep dives
love that you’re making these!!! so excited
4:56 Now that is an eerie choice of words.
I honestly remember the Nic Cage one more. I will have to revisit this. Also so excited to see video essays from you again!
The remake was terrible. The original is the only one to watch.
Glad to see your video essays on my feed!!!
Immediately after watching I wanted to check it out again with the changed perspective. Feels like it'll be a joy to see the story unfold in a new light.
I just went to the 50 year , 4k complete cut here in Sydney and ❤️it . I grew up in Ireland & I can still remember the first time i saw this maybe it was 1985 or so , i was 8/9 years old , on a cold wet , winter night and i had no clue what was happening! But i fell in love with it , thanks for the video.
My girlfriend showed me this channel just now and we stumbled upon this video. The Wicker Man is my all time favorite movie too, heard about it from its samples in an EP from a folk metal band called Agalloch. Anyway, I did root for Howie the first time, but now I have a deep and bittersweet appreciation for the townspeople. I want to see them succeed and I love framing the cop as a fool. But they took it pretty far 😅
little boost for the algorithm. i find it fascinating that the movie depicts several perspectives at the same time
A video on the killer POV shot sounds really interesting
This is the best review and analysis of this film I have found.
You might not know that, THE WICKER MAN was released as a double feature with DON'T LOOK NOW a BRILLIANT original cult classic film, they advertised Don't look now as the lead film of the two (as they felt at the time that the subject matter was so...non mainstream few people would see either film) BUT werent they wrong in the end
Thank you for this incredible synopsis!! I’ve been obsessed with this film lately (and it’s spellbinding and perfect soundtrack) and this video hit the spot!
I took your advice and went to finally watch the movie. It was a delight, thanks for the rec and the analysis, always a delight!
So glad to see you making more video essays!! I shall go watch Wicker Man and continue watching soon!!
great video on the viewer's complicity with the villagers! I rewatched this recently and it feels different when you know what will happen
3:54 In the making of the Wicker Man book they talk about the subliminal power play of this shot. The piano pointing downards from Lord Summerisle to Howie, a subtle nod that he’s in charge.
This is awesome! A whole new way to appreciate the film. Thanks for your analysis.
Super excited to see you making your own video essays now. Can't wait to see what you do next!
It always seemed to be an alignment with the Police man, more than the villagers,I thought he is an unrealisic puritan prude BUT he didnt deserve to die, I felt a lot of sympathy, a bit more than shock.
Yes YESS! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS CHANNEL!! I adore your views on horror and other spooky media! I'm a chronic baby and too scared to engage with most media in this category on a personal basis, but I love learning about them like this.
Great review! I just watched it for the first time today. Wow Midsommar totally got its inspiration from this. This is much more rewatchable. The other one though, I don't wanna watch again 😱
A fun double-entendre in the 'little old beetle' bit: 'beetle' sounds like 'beadle,' which historically (in Scottish English) refers to a church officer or parish officer responsible for keeping order. Remind you of anyone? Anyway I love this movie, I really enjoyed you on Polygon, and I really hope you keep making more things like this!
One of my favorite movies. Absolutely my favorite soundtrack
I watch this movie at least once a month and I'm always discovering something new each time along with having questions I have yet to find answers for yet. The beetle and maypole winding, I can't believe I never noticed those 2 things happening at the same time. Thank you for making this movie even richer to me!
Love this movie! First time I watch this movie was on Showtime, when I was in high school. I appreciate your view on this, thank you!!!
Great commentary on one of my favourite films❤ Thank you😊
I can hear all the music in this film in my head whenever anyone talks about it. It was how I was first put on to it and to me it captures so much of its atmosphere.
Also, great analysis. It's a testament both to your commentary and the depth of the film that I am still getting new perspectives on it.
Leaving a comment here, in the hopes it helps this video essay out, while I'm away to watch the movie beforehand as you recommend. Looking forward to more Jenna content!
Such a great movie! I enjoy it more each time I watch it. Thanks for the video!
was going to just watch this without seeing the movie first, but the concept has intrigued me, so here's my algorithm boost while i save this for later
heading off to watch the wicker man tonight so i can appreciate this video in all its glory later. jenna would never lead me astray with a movie recc.
Yess! Fantastic topic for a comeback! (I am obviously biased towards folk horror but still!)
Gonna stop the video right here (0:55 or so) and do my homework instead, actually watching the movie you are addressing. I'll return to this video once my research has completed. I'm glad to see Jenna back on the video essay-horse once again!
I just watched this movie for the first time the other day and I'm glad I stumbled across your video on it. It didn't occur to me that on a rewatch you're taking the perspective of the villagers and you're right. The runaround they give Howie is kind of hilarious.
i am a Huge Weenie who doesn’t usually go for *watching* horror movies but i’m also a Huge Nerd who loves to listen to other people talk about things they love so this was a delight :)
Didn’t think about the movie this way! Great analysis!
Some of you might not be aware of it. This years marks the 50th anniversary of this movie. In fact quite a few UK cinemas will be showing it on the 21st June, so if your in the UK. This would be a great time to *make your appointment with The Wicker Man*
J STEEBS BACK ON THE VIDEOS. Great essay! I'm so glad I watched this movie.
Fantastic video this is one of my favorites all of time new sub !
Hi Jenna! Loving this essay-analysis-thing content! Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷
An excellent watch! Looking forward to more of your videos.
Yay Jenna! Great video. I'm really excited to see what else you have cooking for this channel.