 | |
| Author | John Walsh |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy film |
| Publisher | Titan Books |
Publication date | October 24, 2023 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 192 (First edition, hardcover) |
| ISBN | 9781803365084 (First edition, hardcover) |
The Wicker Man: The Official Story of the Film is the sixth book by John Walsh, published October 24, 2023, as part of the film's 50th anniversary. [1]
This is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the British folk horror film The Wicker Man from 1973 directed by Robin Hardy from the screenplay is by Anthony Shaffer, based on the novel Ritual by David Pinner from 1967. The book looks at the behind-the-scenes stories and includes new and archive interviews from its stars Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Christopher Lee. [2]
The book shared newly discovered images and materials. [1]
The book received a 'Book of the Year' nomination in the 2024 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards. [3]
The Sunday Telegraph revealed a new interview from the book by the film’s star Britt Ekland where she claimed to have been tricked into a nude scene in the film. “In a new book about the making of the film, she has relived the shock of discovering that, without her consent, the film-makers brought in a stripper as her body double – despite an agreement that she would only be shown from the waist up.She said: “During the shoot I had two days off, and that’s when they shot some of my scenes with a Glaswegian stripper.” John Walsh, author of the new book, discovered that she had been the victim of “subterfuge”. Jake Wright, the first assistant director, recalls: “We filmed the dance sequence with Britt Ekland stripped to the waist singing and dancing. “When it was finished we said, ‘thank you very much, that’s enough for tonight.’ “She went downstairs and got into her limousine – and there was another limousine drawn up behind hers. The body double was lying flat on the floor so Britt Ekland couldn’t see her. “As Britt had gone, up came the body double and we went on doing the other bits of the full nude scene.” Ms Ekland was distraught: “They just stuck a blonde wig on the body double. I couldn’t believe it because Robin promised that he wouldn’t do that. And the model’s body looked nothing like mine. I was just devastated.” “Mr Walsh, an award-winning film-maker, said that The Wicker Man was a failure on release but is today considered “the Citizen Kane of horror films”. [4]
SFX Magazine commented on the book's research and the discoveries' unflinching nature. "The author conducted 15 original interviews, key among them discussions with production designer Seamus Flannery, producer Michael Deeley and Peter Snell – then MD of production company British Lion. Flannery is absolutely excoriating about director Robin Hardy, variously labelling him "just unpleasant", "a nasty little man" and "in love with himself"." [5]
Starburst Magazine highlighted the sometimes forgotten origins of the film from an original novel. "An interesting addition is author David Pinner, who wrote the novel Ritual, which formed the basis of the story developed by Anthony Shaffer and Hardy. The interview he gives is both informative and entertaining. We also get some insight into real-life pagan rites, particularly those involving large men-shaped structures, adding more elements of reality to the tale." [6]
The blog Back To The Movies was struck by the writing style. "John Walsh writes in a way where words leap off the page and start frantically painting images in your head, a fascinating read and a deep dive into the mechanics of what made this low budget British horror film tick." [7]
SciFi Pulse remarked about the fiscal side the book covers. "It also gives some historical context about the British Film Industry and how it was financed, and the chapter about British Lion, which produced a varied mix of genre films ranging from drama to science fiction." [8]
SciFi Bulletin commented on the new information uncovered and alternative versions of the film. "Further details and images follow about the construction of the titular wicker man itself, the shoot, music and the release. There's also a very useful graphic showing how the three different cuts of the movie differ." [9]
Film Juice confirmed that new materials had been uncovered for this publication. "an absolute goldmine of wonderful rare set photography (never-before-seen in such high quality)." [10]
Roger Ebert's review site said, "Walsh not only offers new behind-the-scenes details but unpacks why this film has maintained a growing legacy with new interviews and never-before-seen material. It's a dense, well-assembled, gorgeous book, one of the best art books in years for horror fans." [11]
Horror DNA praised the book's scope. "The Wicker Man: The Official Story of the Film is filled with information spread across eighteen chapters, the pages filled with rare, some never before seen behind-the-scenes photographs in color and black and white. Devoted fans and newcomers alike will find this tome brimming with little-known facts and fascinating stories." [12]
The Wicker Man is a 1973 British folk horror film directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Christopher Lee. The screenplay is by Anthony Shaffer, inspired by David Pinner's 1967 novel Ritual, and Paul Giovanni composed the film score.
Britt Ekland is a Swedish actress, model, and singer. She appeared in numerous films in her heyday throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including roles in The Double Man (1967), The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968), Machine Gun McCain (1969), Stiletto (1969), and the British crime film Get Carter (1971), which established her as a sex symbol. She also starred in several horror films, including The Wicker Man (1973), and appeared as a Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974).
Timothy Ray Lucas is an American film critic, biographer, novelist, screenwriter and blogger, best known for publishing and editing the video review magazine Video Watchdog.
The Bobo is a 1967 British comedy film directed by Robert Parrish and starring Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland. It is based on the 1959 novel Olimpia by Burt Cole, also known as Thomas Dixon.
The Monster Club is a 1981 British anthology horror film directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring Vincent Price and John Carradine. An anthology film, it is based on the works of the British horror author R. Chetwynd-Hayes. It was the final film from Milton Subotsky, who was best known for his work with Amicus Productions; Amicus were well known for their anthologies, but this was not an Amicus film. It was also the final feature film directed by Baker.
The Wicker Man is a 2006 horror film written and directed by Neil LaBute and starring Nicolas Cage. It is a remake and reimagining of the 1973 British film The Wicker Man, but also draws from its source material, David Pinner's 1967 novel Ritual. The film concerns police officer Edward Malus, whose ex-fiancée Willow Woodward informs him that her daughter Rowan has disappeared and asks for his help in her search. When he arrives at the island in the Pacific Northwest where Rowan was last seen, he suspects something sinister about the neo-pagans who live there. The film received negative reviews and grossed $38.8 million.
A wicker man is a type of effigy.
"Willow's Song" is a ballad by American composer Paul Giovanni for the 1973 film The Wicker Man.
Asylum is a 1972 British anthology horror film made by Amicus Productions. The film was directed by Roy Ward Baker and produced by Milton Subotsky. Robert Bloch wrote the script, adapting four of his own short stories.
Cowboys for Christ: On May Day is a novel written by Robin Hardy, first published in 2006 by Luath Press. It is a partial sequel of Hardy's previous film The Wicker Man (1973), dealing with many of the same themes and ideas, namely the clash between paganism and Christianity. There are also similarities with the plot of Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon.
The Wicker Man is a series of two horror films directed by British author and director Robin Hardy. The films are not directly linked to one another, but all deal with the theme of paganism in the modern world.
The Wicker Tree is a 2011 British horror film written and directed by Robin Hardy. It contains many direct parallels and allusions to Hardy's 1973 film The Wicker Man, and is intended as a companion piece which explores the same themes.
No One Gets Out Alive is a 2014 horror novel by British author Adam Nevill. It was published in the United Kingdom in 2014 by Pan MacMillan and United States in 2015 by St. Martin's Press and focuses on a young woman who moves into a cheap apartment, only to find that she has put herself in danger by doing so.
John Walsh is an English filmmaker and author. He is the founder of the film company Walsh Bros. Ltd. His film work on subjects such as social mobility and social justice has received two BAFTA nominations.
Harryhausen: The Lost Movies is a book by John Walsh published September 10, 2019. This is a guide to unrealised cinema films of Ray Harryhausen from 1940s to the 2000s.
Folk horror is a subgenre of horror film and horror fiction that uses elements of folklore to invoke fear and foreboding. Typical elements include a rural setting, isolation, and themes of superstition, folk religion, paganism, sacrifice and the dark aspects of nature. Although related to supernatural horror film, folk horror usually focuses on the beliefs and actions of people rather than the supernatural, and often deals with naïve outsiders coming up against these. The British films Blood on Satan's Claw (1971), The Wicker Man (1973) and Witchfinder General (1968) are regarded as pioneers of the genre, while The Witch (2015) and Midsommar (2019) sparked renewed interest in folk horror. Southeast Asian cinema also commonly features folk horror.
Flash Gordon: The Official Story of the Film is a book by John Walsh published on November 27, 2020. This is a behind the scenes look at the making of the film Flash Gordon from 1980. Walsh had previously written Harryhausen: The Lost Movies.
Escape From New York The Official Story of the Film is a book by John Walsh published December 14, 2021. This is a behind the scenes look at the making of the film Escape from New York from 1981. Walsh had previously written Harryhausen: The Lost Movies and Flash Gordon: The Official Story of the Film.
Dr Who and The Daleks: The Official Story of the Films is a book by John Walsh. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the films Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. The large format coffee table style book tells the story of how the original television series Doctor Who was adapted twice for cinema audiences.
Conan The Barbarian: The Official Story of the Film is the sixth book by John Walsh published August 8, 2023. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the 1982 film Conan The Barbarian, directed by John Milius and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. This large format coffee table-style book tells the story of how the original stories based on the Robert E. Howard series were adapted for cinema audiences.
