THE WICKER MAN (1973)

With special guest Tom Foley

Intro, Math Club, and Debate Society (spoiler-free) 0:00-18:05
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy) 18:06-55:11
Superlatives (so. many. spoilers.) 55:12-1:13:11

Director Robin Hardy
Screenplay Anthony Shaffer
Featuring Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland, Christopher Lee, Ingrid Pitt, Edward Woodward

Opened (US): August 7, 1974
Budget: $810,000
Box office: $61,000 (US/Canada); $180,000 (worldwide)

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

Summoned to a remote island off the coast of Scotland by a report claiming a young girl, Rowan Morrison, has gone missing, West Highland Constabulary Sergeant Neil Howie finds himself far from any reality he’s ever known, due to the strange customs and people of the island, called Summerisle. A god-fearing, Christian man in every way, Howie is put off, then shocked by the the island’s free-thinking, sexually explicit ways. He refuses the advances of Willow, a landlord’s daughter, and threatens to arrest Miss Rose, a schoolteacher, for discussing phallic symbols. Summerisle, Howie comes to understand, believes only in gods of fertility, and pagan ways, as overseen by Lord Summerisle, a tall, imposing chap with a fantastic house and even snappier wardrobe. When no one can seem to recall having met or seen Rowan, Howie’s investigation leads down a series of increasingly strange dead ends. And as May Day approaches, he becomes increasingly convinced that he has become the subject of a bizarre, dangerous game.

SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO

Tom Foley is an award-winning filmmaker. He has helmed national TV commercials for iconic brands like Nike, Harley Davidson, and Burger King, and recently created branded content films for Tito’s Vodka and the Alzheimer’s Association. Tom’s work keys on human emotion — from narrative comedy to heartfelt documentary storytelling. Always presenting a strong visual point of view, Tom emphasizes the unique humanity of his subjects. Tom is currently represented by Element Productions (Boston/LA) and is a member of the Directors Guild of America. Learn more about Tom at www.tomfoley.tv. Favorite recess snack: graham crackers and milk.

EPISODE NOTE

Music from “The Wicker Man” by Paul Giovanni and Magnet

Why did Professor Louryk choose this film? Find out in our Blog.

TRAILER

SUPERLATIVES

The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
Tom: The screeching of the animals as the wicker man burns
Eric (TIE): Howie finds the “navel string” tied to the young tree on Rowan’s “grave”; May Morrison places the frog in the girl’s mouth to cure her sore throat
Bradford: The sacrifice of Sgt Howie in the wicker man

The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live (But Doesn’t)
Tom: The dead hare that is found in Rowan’s “grave”
Eric: Sgt. Howie
Bradford: Corpse with coins on eyes and missing hand

The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die (and Does)
Tom: Sgt. Howie
Eric: Sgt. Howie
Bradford: Sgt. Howie

The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
Tom: The ‘garden of earthly delights’ outside The Green Man
Eric: The procession scene through the burning of the wicker man
Bradford: Willow and Alder MacGreagor play-acting outside Howie’s room

The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
Tom: Alder MacGreagor
Eric: Sgt Howie in his final ten minutes
Bradford: The lascivious island archivist

FINAL LETTER GRADE

Tom: A-
Eric: B-
Bradford: A