About The Book
Filmed in Scotland, The Wicker Man has been voted the greatest cult movie of all time. The themes of pagan ritual and sacrifice in a small island community have provoked much curiosity into the fascinating origins and background of the tale.
What were the historical and folkloric sources of the film?
What is the true history of the religious practices and rituals protrayed in the film?
What is the relationship between the film and its real-life Pagan audience?
What are the stories behind the making, casting and distribution of the film?
The contributors to this book represent a broad cross-section of experts, academics and film industry professionals who have authoritative knowledge in the areas of archeology, history, literature and paganism. They trace The Wicker Man’s myraid historical and mythological reference points back to their arcane, often surprising, sources, solving the film’s ingenious riddles more successfully than the unhappy Sergeant Howie.
About the Author
Benjamin Franks is a lecturer in Social and Political Philosophy at the University of Glasgow.
Stephen Harper’s special interest is in media representations of mental health and gender studies; he is a lecturer in Media Studies at the University of Glasgow.
Jonathan Murray teaches in the Centre for Visual and Cultural Studies at Edinburgh College of Art.
Lesley Stevenson is a lecturer in Tourism and Leisure at Liverpool Hope University College.
