Howie, a devout Christian, is disturbed to find the islanders paying homage to the pagan Celtic gods of their ancestors. Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) journeys to the remote Hebridean island Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison (Gerry Cowper), about whom he has received an anonymous letter. This film was also directed by Hardy, and featured Lee in a cameo appearance. In 2011, a spiritual sequel entitled The Wicker Tree was released to mixed reviews. In 2006, an ill-received American remake was released, from which Hardy and others involved with the original have dissociated themselves. Hardy had no interest in the project, and it was never produced.

In 1989, Shaffer wrote a script treatment for The Loathsome Lambton Worm, a direct sequel with fantasy elements. theatrical version was digitally restored and released. 45 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments, and during the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony the film was included as part of a sequence that celebrated British cinema. It also won the 1978 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film, the burning Wicker Man scene was No. Film magazine Cinefantastique described it as 'The Citizen Kane of horror movies', and in 2004 Total Film magazine named The Wicker Man the sixth greatest British film of all time. The Wicker Man is generally well-regarded by critics.

Howie, a devout Christian, is appalled to find that the inhabitants of the island have abandoned Christianity and now practise a form of Celtic paganism. Paul Giovanni composed the film score. 1967 novel Ritual, centres on the visit of Police Sergeant Neil Howie to the isolated island of Summerisle, in search of a missing girl. The screenplay by Anthony Shaffer, inspired by David Pinner’s.

It stars Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Christopher Lee. The Wicker Man is a 1973 British mystery horror film directed by Robin Hardy.

Ritual pinner novel