| |
|
The Wicker Man had been edited several times by both studio executives at British Lion and its director by the time it was finally released in order to make it “more appealing” to cinema audiences, and to re-focus the narrative structure. The “extended version” of the film re-instates a number of these cuts:
The opening scene, which was completely hacked in the final version, presents a little of Howie’s background on the mainland. Here we get to see him among his own community, where his ultra-conservative and moralistic behaviour - disapproving of any deviance from the letter of the law - is just as rigid as when he arrives at Summerisle. We also see the full reel of him at his parish church, reading the sermon and taking communion. He looks certain of his faith in his saviour’s sacrifice and his own redemption through it (without really understanding either, as we later find (“you’ll never understand the true nature of sacrifice”  . He is positively glowing with self-righteous zeal beside his equally sober betrothed. All of which grounds him in a conventionally moral and religiously devout realm.
In the edited version, this sequence is alluded to in flashback while praying at the Green Man Inn. According to studio executive Michael Deeley, the scene was cut for being too reminiscent of a television police series, and I agree with Moominstoat who mentions that the scene detracts from the claustrophobic atmosphere of the film. I prefer the opening shot in the edited version; of a lone man descending into an unknown world with no narrative map to guide the viewer’s sensibilities or judgment.
The second major addition in the extended version is the Sacrifice to Aphrodite that replaces the Siren Song sequence (Britt’s dance) in the edited version. This scene gives us our first sighting of Lord Summerisle as well as introducing the more carnal aspects of island life. In this sequence, Ash Buchanan, a young island lad, is offered by the Laird to Willow (Britt Eckland) to be initiated into manhood. The scene continues the fertility themes alluded to in the villagers bawdy folksongs before, and the Maypole scene directly after it (as well as containing the mating snails, Lee’s speech and the folksong (“Gently Johnny” ) that Moominstoat mentions above).
The extended version then moves Willow’s Siren Song to the second half of the film, lengthening Howies stay on the island from 1 to 2 nights. This allows a nice sequential balance between the Sacrifice to Aphrodite (first day) and The Siren Song (second day), and fleshes out (if you will) Willow’s central role on the island.
I thought that it also made more dramatic (and tragic) sense to have the dance scene as a pivotal moment later in the narrative, in that it gives Howie a final chance to succumb to his own sexual desire – thus saving his life. It also more fluidly presages the Hand of Glory scene in this chapter, as well as helping to break up the search for Rowan towards the film’s climax and the final festivities wherein Howie’s true fate as martyr is revealed.
As well as these major additions there is also a lengthening of Howie’s initial investigations and of his final search of the island, about 10 – 15 minutes in total.
Of all of those associated with it, Christopher Lee in particular has condemned the various cuts made to the film, in which many of his own scenes were excised. The final theatrical version, according to Lee has “an awful lot missing. A tremendous amount”, and he generally felt that he film had been “raped” of its power. Writer Anthony Shaffer also felt that the editing of the film was “butchery”.
Lee’s fellow star Ingrid Pitt does not agree though, stating that, “it’s good to hold back information. I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell audience that Sgt. Howie is a virgin, or besotted with Jesus. You should make up your own mind what is happening. I believe in big surprises”.
Although the extended scenes were not absolutely essential, I would say that some of them definitely add narrative depth and dramatic intensity to certain parts of the film and are therefore worth seeing, especially if you’re a fan.
[ 03-01-2002: Message edited by: RedRunningLord ]
[ 03-01-2002: Message edited by: RedRunningLord ] |
|
|
