WTF?! - The Wicker Tree (2010)-

WTF?! - The Wicker Tree (2010)-

OK so here we go…. Starting out know that I am a huge fan of the original Wicker Man film from 1973. First watching it I was impressed with the oddness of it and the story really sucked me in. The creepy vibe of the film and mysterious plotline really challenges the viewer, forcing them to be constantly thinking of where the story is going next and begging to go further into its dark evil world. The pay off at the end really has a WTF momentum, all the way up to its tragic end.

Seeing the trailer for The Wicker Tree (2010) I was instantly drawn in. Getting excited I realized that there’s a wonderful opportunity to revisit the village and see how the clandestine community has progressed in the past 37 years.  The remake in 2006 left me screaming at my television set and very upset at its bastardized take on the story. So, knowing that this franchise needed to redeem itself I hoped that we’d see a fresher take on this world.  The Wicker Tree trailer highlights veteran horror icon Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, et. al) to be featured in the follow up, asking “Can fate be altered. The answer is always ‘No’.”

In The Wicker Tree (UK working title was Cowboys for Christ and The Riding of the Laddie) we meet a charming and lovely born again missionary couple, cowboy Steve Thompson (Henry Garrett) and Beth Boothby (Brittania Nichol), as they journey to Tressock, Scotland. While preaching the word of Christ they are unknowingly allured into a dark and mysterious world. She’s a troubled country music star and he’s a struggling songwriter. Mentored by paternal community leader Sir Lachlan Morrison (Graham McTavish) the two break alliances of chastity and strive to gain control of their lives as their own bonds dissolve and they’re confronted with the reality of the new society they’ve fallen into.

My gut feeling on this film is that a main problem with The Wicker Tree begins with its poor plot and even poorer dialogue.  It’s not written by the original Wicker Man writer Anthony Schaffer. Written and directed by original The Wicker Man director, Robin Hardy. In 2006 Hardy penned the book Cowboys for Christ, which he had hoped to turn into a film, called The Riding of the Laddie; which became The Wicker Tree. Hardy’s writing is klunky at best, and leaves no desire to give a damn about its main characters. . The film was originally penned in 2006 but because of multiple funding issues never saw production until 2009. 

Garrett and Nichol; serving up lead character unbelievability.

Brittania Nichol is terrible. Her lackluster performance as an actress and in this film, and as a “country music star” is completely unbelievable. A LOL WTF; while running from her killers her performance was at such high camp levels I couldn’t stop thinking about Tracy Ulman as Linda Grainger on the run in her HBO comedy. Campy funny at times terrible singing by Nichol and LOL performance makes her impossible to watch without shaking my head. Her “dragging-up-the-bad-past” music video Trailer Park Trash will have you screaming at the TV saying WTF. Her website has not been updated since before the movie came out. She also has no other film credits listed. This can only lead me to believe that her performance is so awful no one is willing to take a chance on her. Born in the states and studied in England, as this is a British production, I’m curious to know her connection to what producer she has on the film.

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee needed to be in the film more. His appearance more than an hour into the film as Sir Lachlan’s childhood mentor is brief and fleeting. Lee was originally rumored to play Sir Lachlan but reportedly injured himself on the set of another previous film. 

Actor Henry Garrett is nice to look at, but there’s not much else there.  His bare butt was nice, and there is an occasional scene with him shirtless in bed, but an all-important plot driven sex scene left me limp. 

Even the look of The Wicker Tree left me wanting more. As I said in the open the original Wicker Man from the 70s has an understandingly unpolished look, lending to the creepiness of the story. Shot on the widely used RED ONE camera, The Wicker Tree looks more like a Hallmark Channel Halloween Special.

Over all The Wicker Tree is a terribly disappointing follow up.  Do yourself a favor. If you haven’t seen the original film The Wicker Man (1973) rent that  and swim in its wonderful creepy story and delivery. Don’t waste your time with this ridiculous excuse for a companion film. If you come across the DVD, throw it in a tree and set it on fire.