1973
Directed by Robin Hardy
I wasn't particularly impressed by this movie and I hear the remake is an abomination. I don't know how you could make it that much worse. Trust Nicholas Cage to pull it off.
Sergeant Howie travels to an island off the coast of Scotland to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. Howie is a devout Christian who doesn't believe in premarital sex. He is shocked by the islanders' weirdness. The islanders have sex in the fields and put frogs in their mouths for some reason. They also try to hamper his investigation by denying the existence of the girl in the first place.
I think I have mentioned this before but horror is my absolutely favorite genre. I worship it like these islanders worship the Wicker Man. But I still didn't enjoy this one too much. I thought the premise was a bit silly, although it was supposed to be quite frightening. I also found it to be predictable and the acting to be a bit overdone. Still, I happy we got a horror film on here. Keep them coming!
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
Nicholas Cage claimed that the remake was supposed to be a black comedy and wasn't just unintentionally funny. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Christopher Lee appeared in this film for free. RIP.
OOoohh .. Sorry this didn't tickle your taste buds.. I really like this. I've got the extended 'almost directors' cut with missing scenes and Christopher Lee comentary etc etc.
ReplyDeleteFYI, In many ways the 'as seen' cut is better, but the edited bits are (mostly) very interesting. Well, perhaps except for the 'hot snail on snail' sex action sequence which seems a bit unecesary.
This is the sort of film I will use to defend the horror genre. I too will say I like horror films.. but there is such a sharp difference between poles of the genre as a whole. I really, really dislike the slasher / gore fest type, but something like this... Great.
One of the scaryist bits is so subtle .. When Howie is about to be... (spoiler alert) ..shall I say ... introduced to the titular character, he is predicting that next year, when the crops fail again, despite .. whatever they are about to do.. it will be Loerd Summerisle they will come for .. And you can see Lee's face.. knowing it's true.
Where they filmed the finall sequence is not far from where I live.. Until recently you coul still see the stubs of the figure. But some idiot destryed them.
Sorry to disagree Amanda, but we have to admit friendly disagrees make for more interesting replies.
Snail on snail? You are right...maybe I don't want to know. I am actually moving to London for the fall. Maybe I will take a train and see your area!
DeleteOh wow... Moving to London...
DeleteLondon is (by British standards) a long way away .. about 300 miles.. but there are direct trains on the west coast mainline to Penrith (yes, the Penrith where Withnail and I went for afternoon tea), whence a bus direct to Cockermouth.
It would be great to actually meet you. Let me know closer to the time...
Can we address the fact that Cockermouth is a hilarious name? All right, I will let you know. I am leaving September 2nd.
DeleteYeah, I kind of liked this one too. For me it was mostly all those weird islanders and of course the amazing Christopher Lee. That booming voice...
ReplyDelete