The Wicker Man (2006)

User Rating:

3.5/10   

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writers (WGA):

Neil LaBute (written for the screen by)
Anthony Shaffer (based on a screenplay by)

Release Date:

1 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Some Sacrifices Must Be Made

Plot:

A sheriff investigating the disappearance of a young girl from a small island discovers there's a larger mystery to solve among the island's secretive, neo-pagan community.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Young Girl | Battle Of The Sexes | Bicycle | Farm

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	Edward Malus
Ellen Burstyn	...	Sister Summerslsle
Kate Beahan	...	Sister Willow
Frances Conroy	...	Dr. Moss
Molly Parker	...	Sister Rose / Sister Thorn
Leelee Sobieski	...	Sister Honey
Diane Delano	...	Sister Beech
Michael Wiseman	...	Pete
Erika-Shaye Gair	...	Rowan (as Erika Shaye Gair)
Christa Campbell	...	Truck Stop Waitress
Emily Holmes	...	Station Wagon Mom
Zemphira Gosling	...	Station Wagon Girl
Matthew Walker	...	Sea Plane Pilot
Mary Black	...	Sister Oak
Christine Willes	...	Sister Violet

Also Known As:

Wicker Man - Ritual des Bösen (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images and violence, language and thematic issues.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA | Germany | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (No. 42255) | UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Germany:16 | UK:15 (director's cut) | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:Not Rated (extended version)

Filming Locations:

Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The writing on the chalk board in the classroom is a portion of the poem "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" by William Blake and reads, "Once meek, and in a perilous path/ The just man kept his course along/ The vale of death./ Roses are planted where thorns grow./ And on the barren heath/ Sing the honey bees."

Goofs:

Factual errors: The shells Willow drops on the ground appear to be .45ACP rounds, which are significantly larger than the 9mm rounds Edward's Beretta pistol would fire.

Quotes:

Sister Summersisle: Welcome, Mr. Malus. You have come of your own free will to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.

Movie Connections:

References Inferno (1980)

Time that you will never get back.

Unfortunately, this movie does no credit whatsoever to the original. Nicholas Cage, fairly wooden as far as actors go, imbues the screen with a range of skill from, non-plussed to over the top. The supporting cast is no better.

The plot stays much the same as the original in terms of scene progression but is far worse. Not enough detail is given to allow the audience to by into what is being sold. It turns out it's just a bill of poor goods. Disbelief cannot be suspended, nor can a befit of a doubt be given. The only saving aspect of this film is that it is highly visual, as the medium requires, and whomever scouted the location should be commended.

There was much laughter in the audience and multiple boos, literally, at the end.

Disappointed! Wait for the original to come on television, pour a whiskey and enjoy.