There have been countless documentaries made about The Wicker Man. The film and subject have fascinated fans for years since its 1973 release. Children of the Wicker Man is a very different beast from the other docs. It follows the sons of director Robin Hardy as they try to piece together what this project meant to their father and how it affected their childhood.
By going through Hardy Snr’s personal correspondence and notes, director Justin Hardy and his half-brother Dominic experience an emotional rollercoaster as they come to terms with the film that Justin sees as breaking his family apart and reconciling their feelings with it and their father.
As well as visiting locations and talking to people involved in the film’s inception (those who are still with us), including producer Peter Snell and actor Lesley Mackie (who played Daisy, the cruel schoolgirl with the beetle on a string). As well as the oft-told stories, there are plenty of new, revealing insights that will make this of interest to die-hard fans of the movie.
Where the documentary shines, however, is in its human element. There are times when you can relate to the Hardy brothers’ frustration and anger at both the film and their father. Hearing the other side of the story gives a fresh perspective to the venture (and Robin’s belated sequel, The Wicker Tree, which we feel would have been a much better film as Cowboys for Christ and had he not been forced to lean into the ‘wicker’ aspect as much) and how much the film cost – not only financially but emotionally.
You might not think you’ll shed a tear when watching a documentary about (perhaps) your favourite film, but there’s a good chance you will with Children of the Wicker Man.
CHILDREN OF THE WICKER MAN screened at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest.
