The Wicker Man.

Synopsis:
After receiving a letter from a local resident about the mysterious disappearence of a neighbour's child, Sergeant Howie goes to Summerisle Island to investigate. He finds that the locals are not keen to help, and in the course of his investigation comes across many strange practises...

Review:
I liked this movie. There was a creepy atmosphere - nothing horrific or scary happened (unless you count Britt Ekland's tits) thoughout the vast majority of the film, and yet you got the feeling that frightful bloody death could have appeared at any moment.

The Pagans did not seem especially threatening in themselves (going to a Pagan school, it seems, is much like going to a Christian one), but then the Christian did not seem particularly heroic... As far as the representation of religions goes, I think the film was a bit harsh towards both Christians and Pagans - I'm sure not all Christians are whiny self-righteous morons; and not all Pagans are vicious, uncaring primitives.

I did have a vague idea what happened before I watched this movie, but it was not what I was expecting. I didn't think there would be quite so much singing (and anyone who thinks singing about sex is a purely Pagan pastime should really listen to more folk music), and I definitely wasn't expecting Christopher Lee in a kilt or a dress... The twist at the end came as something of a suprise, but then I never expect twists at the end of anything... My brain doesn't like trying to second-guess, it prefers to sit back and passively absorb things.

There were plenty of naked women but not a single naked man (apart from Edward Woodward from the shoulders up), which was a little disappointing, but then given the general nature of the men on the island, I suppose I shouldn't complain.

There was also maypole dancing. For me, maypole dancing brings on flashbacks of (very very Christian) lower school, which may not have been the impression that the creative team were hoping for... Also, watch the maypole-dancing children. Some are more enthusiastic about worshipping their phallic symbols than others... A similar effect to which, by the way, can be seen amoungst the naked fire-jumpers. Watch the various kick heights. Christopher Lee suggests that jumping through fire with your clothes on is dangerous, and I would just like to point out that, even unclothed, there are certain portions of the human body which could very well catch light easily.

In conclusion - it was all right. A bit wierd, in a slow-moving kinda way. Very different.

I would just like to end this rambling and indecisive review by saying that my dad and his mates got kicked out of this film when it was first in the cinema for taking the piss out Edward Woodward (about to die and crying to his god to save him) rather too loudly.