To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the folk-horror classic, STUDIOCANAL has launched a new poster and trailer to accompany the release of the first-ever 4k restoration of THE WICKER MAN: THE FINAL CUT. The poster was created by artist Richey Beckett.
In the 50 years since its original release, THE WICKER MAN has achieved true cult status as one of the most revered horror films in cinema history, despite a difficult production and heavily cut original theatrical release. The search for the fabled missing scenes has only added to the myth surrounding a film that still inspires filmmakers to this day. THE WICKER MAN was directed by Robin Hardy and has a cast featuring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Eklandand Diane Cilento. The film tells the chilling story of a puritan Police Sergeant who arrives on a remote Scottish Island in search of a missing girl only to find the Pagan locals claiming she never existed. THE WICKER MAN is also much celebrated for its soundtrack, composed by Paul Giovanni and overseen by Gary Carpenter, featuring haunting reworkings of traditional British folk songs.
Reborn in glorious 4K, THE WICKER MAN: THE FINAL CUT will return to UK cinemas this Summer Solstice, June 21st 2023 for one night only and with exclusive 50th Anniversary Event footage screening before the film.
Filmed at Picturehouse Central in London on May 1st, the 50th Anniversary Event included a star-studded on-stage celebration of the film. Presented by Edith Bowman, the on-stage show included guest of honour, actress Britt Ekland, associate musical director from the film Gary Carpenter, the family of the director Robin Hardy and fans of THE WICKER MAN: acclaimed writer/actor Reece Shearsmith and chief film critic at The Independent newspaper: Clarisse Loughrey. An exclusive musical performance by Broadside Hacks, covering 4 tracks from the iconic soundtrack.
HEAVENLY RECORDINGS EP
To celebrate the film’s iconic soundtrack, acclaimed record label HEAVENLY RECORDINGS have produced an exclusive 7 track EP featuring new versions of some of the film’s most memorable music, performed by Katy J Pearson and friends, including Broadside Hacks and H.Hawkline with remixes by Richard Norris and Stone Club.
Katy J Pearson said: “Strangely, I heard The Wicker Man soundtrack way before I watched the movie. I remember my dad playing me Willow’s Song and I found it hypnotic and it started being a song I listened to a lot. The version I did for the record was a kind of psychedelic/ kraut rock version so having the opportunity to work with my friends Broadside Hacks on a traditional cover which they put together so beautifully has been really brilliant. I’m such a fan so it’s an honour to be involved in the 50th anniversary of The Wicker Man.”
Willow’s Song will be released as a single on June 21. The full EP will be available in the Autumn and will also be included in THE WICKER MAN COLLECTOR’S EDITION from September 4.
HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE
STUDIOCANAL have restored all 3 cuts of THE WICKER MAN in honour of the 50th anniversary. All three versions of the film; The Final Cut, the Director’s Cut and the Theatrical Cut, will be released in an exclusive Collector’s Edition and on 4k UHD for the first time on September 4th. The 5-disc Collector’s Edition will also include an exclusive EP from Heavenly records, a 64-page booklet with brand new essays, 3 ‘Postcards from Summerisle’ and 2 posters of the new and original artwork.
The film will also be released as a Steelbook and on Digital.
TSPTR x THE WICKER MAN
Since 2014 Anglo-American clothing brand TSPTR has channelled the history of counterculture through its ethically made garments – exploring subculture, music and film, always with a slightly left-field discerning eye. For Summer 23 TSPTR has proudly teamed up with STUDIOCANAL to present an offering on the 50th anniversary of one of their favourite films – The Wicker Man. The exclusive capsule range comprises organic cotton, made in Portugal, t shirts and sweatshirts, hats, tote bags and shirts, emblazoned and embroidered with Pagan imagery and acerbic references to Hardy and Shaffer’s masterpiece. It’s time to keep your appointment with TSPTR’s Wicker Man range! www.TSPTR.com
VISIT SCOTLAND
VisitScotland’s Set in Scotland guide includes THE WICKER MAN, in addition to more than 150 films which have been shot entirely or partially in Scotland.
The quiet rural locations of Dumfries & Galloway exuded a menacing quality on-screen in The Wicker Man. The infamous fiery climatic scene that sees the burning of The Wicker Man was shot on the clifftops of Burrowhead, near the Isle of Whithorn. Nearby St Ninian’s Cave also featured in the film, as well as Anwoth, Kirkcudbright, Logan Botanic Garden and the Ellangown Hotel bar in Creetown. The Set Scotland guide is available in VisitScotland iCentres across Scotland and can be downloaded from visitscotland.com
VisitScotland Head of Industry Development, Ken Massie, said: “The Wicker Man is hugely important to Scotland’s rich film history and, to this day, still attract visitors to Dumfries & Galloway to explore the film locations. “Film and TV tourism helps attract visitors to many regions in Scotland. Our research shows that one in five international visitors have visited a film or TV location whilst on holiday abroad.”
THE WICKER MAN – THE OFFICIAL STORY
Author, double BAFTA nominee, and trustee of the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation, John Walsh, has collaborated with StudioCanal to produce THE WICKER MAN – THE OFFICIAL STORY, the perfect accompaniment for any fan of the cult movie.
The definitive guide to the making of the landmark horror movie The Wicker Man is lavishly illustrated and packed with insights into this classic chiller.
The Wicker Man is one of the greatest horror movies of all time – a chilling exploration of an isolated community with a terrible secret. Featuring a stellar cast including Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, and Ingrid Pitt, The Wicker Man has terrified audiences worldwide for fifty years. Author and filmmaker John Walsh tells the story of how this singular – and somewhat unlikely – folk-horror classic came to be, illustrated with fascinating behind-the-scenes photography, new interviews, exclusive artwork, and never-before-seen material from the StudioCanal archives. Learn the secret history of Summerisle – if you dare…
The book is set to publish in the UK and US on October 24th, 2023 courtesy of Titan Books. You can pre-order from Amazon.
THE RESTORATION
This restoration was scanned in 4K by Silver Salt Restoration UK, from the original 35mm negative.
A second generation 35mm intermediate positive produced in 1973 was used to replace a small section with unrepairable damage in the original negative. The additional footage is sourced from 35mm prints, which are the only known sources for this material. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration UK who dedicated over 500 hours to fix physical damage to the 35mm negative, manually clean and remove dirt, sparkle and scratches. The colour grade used was previously approved by Robin Hardy and replicated here.
This project was brought to you by STUDIOCANAL and supervised by Jahanzeb Hayat.
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