| The Wicker Tree | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Robin Hardy |
| Produced by | Peter Snell Peter Watson Wood Alastair Gourlay |
| Based on | Cowboys for Christ by Robin Hardy |
| Starring | Graham McTavish Jacqueline Leonard Clive Russell Henry Garrett Brittania Nicol Christopher Lee |
| Distributed by | British Lion |
| Release date(s) | July 19, 2011 (Fantasia Film Festival) |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $7.75 million |
The Wicker Tree is a 2011 film by British director Robin Hardy. The film contains several similar elements to the 1973 film The Wicker Man which was also directed by Hardy, but is neither a sequel nor a remake of that film.[1] The film premiered in July at the Fantasia Festival in Canada.
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Based on Hardy's own 2006 novel Cowboys for Christ, the film focuses on Texas pop star turned gospel singer, Beth (Brittania Nicol) and her cowboy boyfriend, Steve (Henry Garrett), both devout evangelical Christians from the church Cowboys for Christ, sent on a mission to spread the word of God to the people of Scotland.[2]
Beth is a successful pop singer and a devout evangelical Christian from Texas, USA. She and her fiance Steve both wear purity rings, and belong to a group known as the "Cowboys for Christ", who travel to "heathen areas" of the world to preach Christianity. They travel to Glasgow, Scotland, hoping to save some souls once there. However, they are shocked when they receive a very negative reception, Beth even being set upon by a large dog.
After performing a concert at a local cathedral, the duo are approached by Sir Lachlan Morrison and his wife Delia, the laird of the small village of Tressock in the Scottish lowlands. They invite Beth and Steve to come back with them to preach, but intend them for a more central part in Tressock's May Day celebration.
Meanwhile, detective Orlando is sent to Tressock, posing as the local police officer, in order to secretly investigate reports of a pagan cult. Orlando discovers that the people of the village worship the ancient Celt goddess Sulis.
Beth and Steve decide to begin their preaching at the May Day celebrations in the village. In an attempt to impress the locals, they agree to becoming the local Queen of the May and the Laddie for the festival not realising the consequences of their decision and not knowing what awaits them.
Originally Hardy wrote the part of Sir Lachlan Morrison for Christopher Lee. While filming the newest Hammer Production The Resident in New Mexico he injured his back after tripping over power cables on set. Although extremely disappointed, Hardy cast the actor who was originally playing Beame (the Morrisons' butler), Graham McTavish in Lee's role, with actor Clive Russell now filling the part of Beame. Lee will still be in the film, with his role being rumoured to be that of Lord Summerisle from Hardy's earlier film, The Wicker Man.[4]
Filming was due to start in September 2007 but the film was delayed for financial reasons. It was later announced the film would shoot from April 2008 in Dumfries and Galloway. A week before the shoot, Dumfries and Galloway Council announced the filming had been stopped due to financial reasons.[5] Filming eventually started in July 2009 in Haddington, Gorebridge, Midlothian and Dallas.[6]
The Wicker Tree had its premiere[7] at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal in July 2011. Anchor Bay will handle U.S. distribution, but no wide theatrical release date has been announced yet.[7][8][9]
Initial reviews from the premiere at Fantasia festival were polarized. The Fangoria review was mildly positive with misgivings: "even as a black comedy, Wicker Tree can’t match the impact of its predecessor. Still, for those fans of Wicker Man who can open their minds to viewing, as Monty Python used to put it, something completely different, the new movie can be appreciated as an entertaining variation on its themes."[9] The Starburst magazine review was negative, remarking that "Sometimes cult films really should be left alone", and, "Prepare to have your hopes dashed however as The Wicker Tree is awful."[10]
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