[Pecker]

Is this classic coming to Blu-ray Disc?

Amazon UK are showing 'The Wickerman' (sic) as being released on the 1st March next year.

Now the original 1973 version went by the name 'The Wickerman' in Europe, which the dodgy re-make with Nicholas Cage never has had that name, as far as I'm aware.

In addition, IMDB lists no other film known as 'The Wickerman'.

Finally, the last UK home video release of the 1973 classic was from Optimum, who are the people Amazon say are releasing this. The re-make is released on DVD in the UK by Lionsgate.

It's looking good!

Steve W

[ED_209]

I really hope it is. One of my top five films this one. The Nic Cage abomination should never have been made

[domtheone]

I thought (back then) that the latest DVD released a few years back looked pretty good all things considered (while since i've seen though). Seem to recall some talk about missing/damaged film stock though

IMDB show this as shot on 35mm film. Would love this to get a decent restoration and a spiffy looking BR release (which it deserves - though whether there's enough commercial reason to do so i'm not sure).

A great film. One of my fave closing scenes of all time too

[Jack A. Napes]

My favourite edit is the one assembled for the BBC Moviedrome screening in the late eighties/early nineties. It was touted as the complete cut, but proved to be disppointingly incomplete. Nevertheless I think it works better than either version offered in the subsequent dvd releases, and is a decent compromise.

If this ever made itself available in HD I'd be a very happy pagan, though chances seem slim to none, with a Blu likely to be a sharpened up port of the existing SD disc.

But just to have any version on Blu-Ray would be a reason to celebrate. A fine chiller that remains undiminished by the passing of time.

[mikegambit]

All the additional scenes in both the BBC version and the DC dvd version only exist on NTSC tape - so any Bluray would be true HD for the cinema version footage only

[Frere Fitch]

I'm sure this will just include the theatrical version, unless Roger Corman has finally found his extended print.

The shorter version does have some advantage over the director's cut, such as the improved opening, which cuts straight to the striking seqeunce of Howie flying to the island. Some of the mainland exposition in the DC is a little too blunt, imo.

The only real change I miss from the DC is Willow's dance taking place on the second night. It enhances both the narrative logic and structure. The much discussed Moviedrome cut does indeed sound like the perfect version.

[lfletcher]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Is this classic coming to Blu-ray Disc?

Finally, the last UK home video release of the 1973 classic was from Optimum, who are the people Amazon say are releasing this. The re-make is released on DVD in the UK by Lionsgate.

Lionsgate had the remake scheduled for release earlier in the year when they released Goodnight & Good Luck, The Cleaner and a few others. So unless something has happened to the UK rights recently I believe it will be the original 1973 version.

[Sonic67]

I just can't resist it.

YouTube - The Wicker Man - Comedy Trailer

Still so funny.

[John Hodson]

Originally Posted by lfletcher

Lionsgate had the remake scheduled for release earlier in the year when they released Goodnight & Good Luck, The Cleaner and a few others. So unless something has happened to the UK rights recently I believe it will be the original 1973 version.

I think the major clue is here. Decent price...

[dannydj]

Rip sir edward

[mikegambit]

Originally Posted by John Hodson

I think the major clue is here. Decent price...

Will we get the choice to choose between a UK Optimum disc or an Anchor Bay US disc?

I hope so.
Not impressed with Optimum overall.

Perhaps they will include the DC in SD as an extra and not mention anything on the PR or case just like they did with Evil Dead 3