THE WICKER TREE (2010)

Streaming on Amazon Prime!
Directed/Written by Robin Hardy.

Is it a bad thing that I’d rather sit through Nicholas Cage’s so-bad-its-good remake of THE WICKER MAN than see THE WICKER TREE again? I’ll hold back from posting some of the best clips from the film…must…maintain composure…

THE WICKER TREE, which is said to be the true sequel to the original classic tale of THE WICKER MAN, does get points for approaching the material from a new angle. This time, instead of a detective venturing to an island in search of a missing girl and stumbling upon a cult, a pair of bible-thumping cheerios show up on an island with hopes to convert the natives to Christianity. Whereas I was rooting for THE EQUALIZER Edward Woodward’s Sergeant Neil Howie to survive the ceremony of the pagan tribe, in THE WICKER TREE I couldn’t help but anticipate these two holy rollers biting it.

This may have been the point of Robin Hardy, director of the first THE WICKER MAN, who returned to direct this one. He certainly sets up the abstaining couple to be as naïve as they come as they resist temptation to sleep with each other and uphold their vows of chastity until marriage and set out to spread the gospel to the heathen masses. The condescending and oblivious nature of these Christians is poured on pretty thick as they are totally unaware that they are being manipulated by the locals to take part in their ritualistic ceremony. Like THE WICKER MAN, which highlighted the horrors of religion, THE WICKER TREE serves as something of an evil opposite as it is the invading Christian gospel singers who pose the threat and show the ugliness of human nature.

Had the couple (Beth and Steve, played by Brittania Nicol and Henry Garrett) been likable, I could see becoming invested in this story and giving a fig. But that’s the main flaw of this film. Neither are very good actors. Nicol shows a lot of talent via her singing voice but still is rather stiff in line delivery. Nicol seems like a thespian compared to Garrett, who is either the best actor in the world playing an idiot or just a bad actor (my vote is for the latter). The film is elevated by some genuine Scottish actors (Graham McTavish, Clive Russell, Jaqueline Leonard) whose Scottish brogues at least make you feel like you’re getting some culture while watching. Christopher Lee gets his name on the DVD box, but due to a back injury he sustained before filming, he only shows up for a brief flashback cameo.

Another odd thing about this film is the abrupt shift in tone about three quarters through. As the intent of the townsfolk become evident, things get downright goofy with broad humor and even more madcap music. This only lasts for about ten minutes before the townspeople are back in deadly serious mode, eating people and burning them in pyres. But for that scene, things become more like a Monty Python skit than a sequel to one of the most horrifying films of all time.

Predictability is another shot against THE WICKER TREE, as though the protagonists are extremely different, the narrative is the same as the newbs are oblivious to their plight until it’s too late. THE WICKER TREE is an admirable effort, but the shifting tone, unlikable performances by the leads, and relatively low gore and scare factor really don’t help it. Intended to be the third part of THE WICKER MAN TRILOGY, this sequel isn’t making me long for another visit.