The Wicker Man. Robin Hardy, 1973.
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Edition screened: “The Final Cut” in StudioCanal 3-version Blu-ray set released 2013. English language. Runtime approximately 94 minutes.
Summary: Depiction of many animals burned alive.
Details:
1) A dead hare is shown in a human coffin 46:40-46:50, and seen periodically during subsequent conversation through 48:30. The hare is not bloody or decomposing, just dead.
2) Climactic final scene in which a a gigantic wicker structure containing calves, goats, fowl, and other animals in small cages is burned, 1:28:33-1:31:30. We do not see any animals actually burned to death, but hear them scream in horror as the huge fire rages beneath them.
Director Hardy said that the fire was extinguished before any animals died. Actress Britt Ekland says some animals died. As always, I do not regard that distinction as pivotal, and mourn eternally for every animal that suffered or perished during this extravagance.
This excellent Steelbook package from StudioCanal includes three of the many cuts, edits, and reassemblies of The Wicker Man: The UK theatrical release (1973, 87 minutes), the Director’s Cut (2001, 102 minutes), and The Final Cut (94 minutes), which director Hardy considers the best available version of the film. It differs from the longer Director’s Cut almost entirely in the elimination of introductory scenes at police headquarters.
It is entirely possible to view this film and extract every bit of meaning and artfulness without watching the final sequence of the animal sacrifice. In any version, the sacrifice by burning is the very last scene preceded by a long passage of everyone standing around the large Wicker Man-shaped cage full of animals. Just turn it off. The film ends with the giant structure engulfed in flames and toppling.
