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The Wicker Man (1973)

(1975, Rated R, Horror, Starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Adult chiller about modern pagans -- no Hogwarts.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This is an especially troubling horror film in that "evil" triumphs, or at least the antagonists with lethal designs on the main character carry out their plans successfully. There is just a hint at the end that their punishment lies down the road. The hero is depicted as a firm, upstanding, and devoted Christian, though some of those very traits drag him to his fate.

  • Violence:

    Some tussling. A man is knocked out and tied up. A fire kills another (along with some animals), but little is shown directly.

  • Sex:

    Nudity (mostly female) in fertility rites, outdoor lovemaking, and a woman surprised in the bathtub. Frank talk about sexual symbolism, and topiary hedges that look like male genitalia. Bawdy singing.

  • Language:

    Some profanity.

  • Consumerism:

    Advertising is one curse the cultists of Summerisle didn't rediscover!

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Social drinking; repeat visits to a jolly British pub.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Wicker Man (1973)

Parents need to know that this is a more intensely erotic film than the 2006 remake (though the newer, PG-13 version is more violent, thank you MPAA). While it shows up championed in lots of horror-movie reference books and fan magazines perused avidly by kids, this film is very adult in its themes and pace. There is much female nudity, sex (or attempted seduction), and a threat of human and animal sacrifice. Specific to religion, the conflict of Christianity and revived ancient pagan worship is the underlying theme.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the religious element of this film. It's stronger here than in a lot of run-of-the-mill chillers (the remake included). Are the friendly people of Summerisle truly "evil" in the typical movie sense? And how and why would Judeo-Christian values and ethics made their behavior very different?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    damoviecritic
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    An excellant film

    I greatly enjoyed The Wicker Man. The production values, acting, and storyline were excellant. I also found the question it was asking quite interesting: are "heathen" religions involved in government that kill one person anually truly worse than a christian government who slaughters them by the thousands. It is a fascinating watch. I must say that the reveiw of this film was hypocritical. MediaFamily said that this film was "red" giving it the same rating as Hostal and Saw. They condemm the MPAA for being more tolorant of violence then nudity. Well, if nudity was not a factor when rating a film, this would be PG. It is a slow, interesting film, but the only truly objectionable thing about the film is nudity and a relativly minor portrayal of "deviant" sexual behavior

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    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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