Wicker Man News
^{26th August 2006}

• Anchor Bay US DVD features

  Further to our earlier mention of the new Anchor Bay US DVD, this release does *not feature the restored American Theatrical Version. It does in fact feature the British Theatrical Version ( i.e. the short version ).

  Their press release was wrong and we would advise anyone who wants to buy the film to avoid this version and seek out either their earlier double disc set in the wooden box, or any of the UK retail DVDs as they feature the full version of the film!

Wicker Man News
^{5th August 2006}

• New UK DVD release

  Optimum Entertainment have announced a new DVD release of 'The Wicker Man' for the UK market to be released on September 4th.

  This is the second TWM re-release scheduled for the forthcoming weeks, presumably to tie-in with the theatrical release of the Neil Labute directed remake starring Nicholas Cage.

  The 3 disc set will include much of the material previously available on the excellent Studio Canal UK DVD with the addition of Mark Kermode's 'Burnt Offering' documentary which was previously screened on Channel 4 television. The set will also include the film's soundtrack CD too.

  The contents are as follows:

  1. The Wicker Man – Theatrical Version
  2. The Wicker Man – The Director's Cut
  3. Feature length commentary with Hardy, Lee, Woodward, and Kermode.
  4. The Wicker Man Enigma
  5. Burnt Offering – The Cult Of The Wicker Man
  6. Theatrical Trailer
  7. Original Press Book
  8. Original Soundtrack Audio CD.

  Completists will note that some of the features available on previous versions are not listed here, namely the archive 'Critics Choice' interview, radio spots and the 'easter egg' video of the commentary recording session. However, that's not to say that these items definitely won't be included.

  The set retails at £19.99, however, online retailers are already pre-selling the item at a considerably cheaper price for those who are tempted to double-dip for the Kermode documentary alone.

  There will also be a screening of the Director's Cut at the Curzon Cinema in Soho, London on Sunday 3rd September followed by a Q&A with Robin Hardy and a performance of songs from The Wicker Man by The Memory Band.

Wicker Man News
^{3rd August 2006}

• Whithorn Wicker Man Commemorative Plaque

  The people of Whithorn have erected a plaque at their library to commemorate its use as a filming location for 'The Wicker Man'.

  
  
  

  Whithorn Library, whose interiors and exteriors are seen in the film, doubled up as both Summerisle Library and the registrar's office.

• Anchor Bay DVD release update

  Anchor Bay have confirmed that their forthcoming US DVD release of The Wicker Man is in fact the previously unreleased American theatrical version, otherwise known as the 'middle version' restored from 'vault material'. Whether this means that we will now get 'Gently Johnny', etc. in better quality than what we are used to remains to be seen.

  Despite their publicity mentioning a running time of 88 minutes, they have assured us that this is an error and the release is most definitely the previously unavailable American Theatrical version. Details can be read at the following url:
  http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com/...
  

• Christopher Lee on 'The Wicker Man' Remake

  According to 'The Independent', Christopher Lee has described the remake of 'The Wicker Man' as 'Desperate'.

  The article can be read at this location:
  http://news.independent.co.uk/...
  

Wicker Man Old News
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