The circle is complete. I came into films via MOVIEDROME, which I will not bore you with my attempt at rebooting it. The series was an introduction to many, of great fringe films.  MOVIEDROME began with the film THE WICKER MAN. This British folk horror, had simmered in the background on release but after some years, became a cult favourite for many a reason. One of these was to do with the films copious versions. For everyone who loves a version of a film, can always find something they love more in another iteration. Written by Anthony Schaffer of Sleuth and Frenzy fame and directed by Robin Hardy, the film simmers with malice and menace aplenty.

When a young girl mysteriously disappears on a remote Scottish island, Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is sent to investigate. The community is a perplexing place, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). Summer fares, dances and an appearance of bliss. Howie is a devoutly religious man and as things fall into place, he uncovers a secret sect, underneath it all. Lust, violence and pagan blasphemy are just a few of the things that are clawing to escape. Howie now has a choice, stop the cults ultimate sacrifice to their gods or maybe become one himself? At the end is always THE WICKER MAN?

I enjoy THE WICKER MAN, as many a cult film fan does. So I will dispense with a ‘review’ of the film. I will however get to the point. This is a welcome release. 5 discs, rigid box, 3 cuts of the film. We have only seen the discs, that being the UHD ones but lets get to it. Now first, there was an Australian release via Imprint last year that was the equal to this in many ways. It was not a UHD release but had excellent extras.

With The Final Cut on offer, the directors and original version. The UHD Final Cut disc has done a number on us. It has restored the warm textures of the cinema projector but also added to it an unworldly sense of tone. This happened years before with the GONE WITH THE WIND restoration. The colours became a little to heightened. I preferred visually, The directors cut. It seems to be better to look at and watch as a film, not as a film or as a complete version. This adds up to a problem then of extras and value. The best three features are between average and extraordinary. Kermodes feature is brilliant and values the film, its creators and its Britishness with respect and reward. The 50th anniversary feature on the disc feels a little empty with only one really major star in attendance. Finally the making of commentary thing is really fun, if not fractious for some. Would I pay for this? No. I prefer the Imprint release.

Contents:

• 5-disc set , with pop-up artwork in rigid ‘book’ casing.
• includes all 3 cuts of the film restored in 4K, plus an exclusive EP from Heavenly Records featuring artists such a Katy J Pearson covering classic tracks from The Wicker Man soundtrack.
• Also includes a 64-page booklet, including an introduction from Justin and Dominic Hardy, plus brand-new essays from Ritual author David Pinner, Rosie Fletcher, Editor of Den Of Geek and John Walsh, author of forthcoming Titan book The Wicker Man The Official Story of the Film, plus x 3 Summerisle postcards and x 2 posters of new and original artwork

DISC BREAKDOWN:
UHD 1

• FEATURE – THE FINAL CUT
• Revisiting the locations of The Wicker Man
• The Wicker Man at 50
• Robin Hardy’s Script – The Lost Ending
• Interview with Britt Ekland
• Worshipping The Wicker Man
• The Music of The Wicker Man
• Interview with Robin Hardy (2013)
• Interview with Robin Hardy & Christopher Lee (1979)
• New Trailer
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Burnt Offering: The Cult of the Wicker Man
• Wicker Man Enigma

UHD 2

• FEATURE – THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
• FEATURE – THE THEATRICAL CUT
• Audio Commentary with Robin Hardy, Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward
• Making of The Commentary

Blu-ray 1

• FEATURE – THE FINAL CUT
• Revisiting the locations of The Wicker Man
• The Wicker Man at 50
• Robin Hardy’s Script – The Lost Ending
• Interview with Britt Ekland
• Worshipping The Wicker Man
• The Music of The Wicker Man
• Interview with Robin Hardy (2013)
• Interview with Robin Hardy & Christopher Lee (1979)
• New Trailer
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Burnt Offering: The Cult of the Wicker Man
• Wicker Man Enigma

Blu-ray 2

• FEATURE – THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
• FEATURE – THE THEATRICAL CUT
• Audio Commentary with Robin Hardy, Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward
• Making of The Commentary

DISC 5 – CD EP Katy J Pearson & Friends present songs from The Wicker Man

01. Katy J Pearson, Drug Store Romeo’s, Sarah Meth, Evie Hilyer-Ziegler – Fire Leaps
02. Katy J Pearson & Broadside Hacks – Willow’s Song
03. Katy J Pearson & H. Hawkline – Gently Johnny
04. Katy J Pearson & Orbury Common, Bert Ussher – Maypole
05. Broadside Hacks – Corn Rigs
06. Katy J Pearson & Broadside Hacks – Lullaby
07. Katy J Pearson & H. Hawkline – Gently Johnny (Stone Club Remix)
08. Katy J Pearson – Willow’s Song (Richard Norris Ritual Mix)
09. Katy J Pearson – Willow’s Song album version