The Wicker Man

This review will examine The Wicker Man (1973) by Robin Hardy, especially looking at the
character of Howie and how his Christianity clashes with the open sexuality of
Summerisle’s ancient religion. Key source will be Suki Ferguson’s article Man Retains
Virginity: genre-bending in The Wicker Man (2013) and Daniel Lammin’s article The Wicker
Man (2019).

In The Wicker Man policeman Howie is traveling to a Scottish Island called Summerisle in
order to find a missing young girl. While doing his investigations on the island he learns
that the islanders live by different rules and philosophies which Howie very strongly
disagrees with. But even though Howie is able to solve the mystery and finds the missing
girl at the end, it leads him to his own misery.

Howie`s (Edward Woodward) conservative unease around sexual liberation runs through
the whole narrative and his strong Christian believe is shown by multiple praying scenes
in the film (Fig.1) (Ferguson, 2013). Therefore it also becomes clear within the film that he
is a virgin, which explains his strong rejection of sexual freedom. Furthermore he is
described as stuffy, stuck in his ways and contemptuous of those who are different from
him. (Carlisle, 2017) “He is disgusted by the islanders’ overt sexuality – the youngsters
enjoy mass alfresco lovemaking on the village green – and horrified by their pagan
practices.“ (Pratt, 2016)

Fig. 1: Policeman Howie praying in front of his bed

“The Island’s ancient religion is not treated as a negative or oppressive force, but rather
as a legitimate and complex way of life.“ (Lammin, 2019) Therefore the film explores the
fear of the sexual revolution in the West at the beginning of the 1970s and echoes of 60s
free love which can be seen in multiple scenes within the film such as kids sing earnestly
about the birds and bees, women breastfeed babies in public, and an al fresco orgy looks
like an entirely necessary form of evening entertainment for the inhabitants of a remote
island. (Ferguson, 2013)

On Summerisle, as part of an isolated heathen community, women have the freedom to

choose their sex partners and explore their sexuality not restricted by male authorities.

The first act establishes its representation of the pagan harvest religion, but it is here that
it starts to use that imagery to foster a feeling of dread. For example with the naked
women jumping across a fire (Fig. 2). (Lammin, 2019) The ritual is all done by daylight in a
bland, everyday manner and even within the film it is said “of course they’re naked, it’s
much too dangerous to jump through fire with their clothes on!”, which normalizes the
whole situation. (Ferguson, 2013)

Fig. 2: Women of Summerisle performing a religious ritual

Howie landed into a world of images and customs that have no reference point in either
his religious or modern-day background and his response is to react with intolerance.
(Lammin, 2019). Since he is treating the Islanders without respect, they treat Howie as the
outsider from the mainland. Not even the sexy barmaid Willow can change his world view.

“Willow the sexy barmaid is worshipped as a goddess, and is paid homage in the form of
handsome young virgin Ash. Instead of being coy or vampish, she takes an innocent
pleasure in sex and the natural power it brings her.“ (Ferguson, 2013)

With a sensual dance and singing a siren like song, she is trying to tempt the Christian
police officer. (Fig. 3) But despite her sexual power, Howie can resist his desire and
remains faithful to his Christian believe. “His virginity isn’t played for laughs either, even
when he is dubbed the Fool by the islanders, because his struggle with the issue is a
serious one that reflects his religious devotion rather than a pedestrian idea of how a man
might be expected to react when offered a quick tumble by a pretty lady.“ (Ferguson,
2013)

Fig. 3: Willow sensual dancing against the wall

The Wicker Man (1973) therefore is showing the clash of a Christian policeman against the
pagan society of Summerisle. It showcases Howie’s male virginity as a symbol or purity,
rather then a sex quest and Howie stays true to himself and his believe until the very end.
Therefore he is neither the villain or hero of the story and leaving it to the audience to
judge who is right and who is wrong. “The film’s narrative culmination is merely presented
as an example of what can happen when two sides believe with total conviction that they
are right, and that this is sufficient justification for whatever action they see as being
necessary to satisfy their needs, whatever the consequences“ (Lammin, 2019)

 Bibliography

Carlisle, T. (2016). Why the message of “The Wicker Man” is still as relevant as ever in
2017. [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/bushfire/why-the-message-of-
the-wicker-man-is-still-as-relevant-as-ever-in-2017-bfe562e2558b [Accessed 5 May
2019].

Ferguson, S. (2013). Man Retains Virginity: genre-bending in The Wicker Man - Pure
Movies. [online] Pure Movies. Available at: https://www.puremovies.co.uk/columns/man-
retains-virginity-genre-bending-in-the-wicker-man/ [Accessed 5 May 2019].

Lammin, D. (2019). The Wicker Man (Robin Hardy, 1973). [online] Senses of Cinema.
Available at: http://sensesofcinema.com/2019/cteq/the-wicker-man-robin-hardy-1973/
[Accessed 5 May 2019].

Newton, M. (2017). Cults, human sacrifice and pagan sex: how folk horror is flowering
again in Brexit Britain. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/
film/2017/apr/30/folk-horror-cults-sacrifice-pagan-sex-kill-list [Accessed 5 May 2019].

Pratt, V. (2016). Long arm of the lore: remembering The Wicker Man | Sight & Sound.
[online] British Film Institute. Available at: https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-
sound-magazine/features/long-arm-lore-robin-hardy-wicker-man [Accessed 5 May 2019].

Illustration List

Fig. 1: Policeman Howie praying in front of his bed - https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/

sight-sound-magazine/features/long-arm-lore-robin-hardy-wicker-man

Fig. 2: Women of Summerisle performing a religious ritual - https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-

opinion/sight-sound-magazine/features/long-arm-lore-robin-hardy-wicker-man

Fig. 3: Willow sensual dancing against the wall - https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/

sight-sound-magazine/features/long-arm-lore-robin-hardy-wicker-man