tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9053180878507967014.post3450247787273863497..comments2022-03-25T04:35:22.189-07:00Comments on Necronomania: The Myth of 'The Wicker Man'.Antony Trepniakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13494572175006404939noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9053180878507967014.post-33499206831943886982014-09-28T09:27:53.587-07:002014-09-28T09:27:53.587-07:00Hi there,
This was a very good read, thanks! Fir...Hi there, <br /><br />This was a very good read, thanks! Firstly in response to the comments here, I think it is especially interesting to look back at the period in light of the hugely disturbing revelations of corruption within not only the entertainment industry but the establishment in general.. The extent of which has been investigated we can assume is only the tip of the iceberg. There is also the possibility of occult practices in a lot of the organised activities of the time (which witnesses have stated implicating Jimmy Saville in group practices), which could of course just be some sick individuals ruthlessly acquiring and exploiting power, and pursuing further 'pleasures/highs/I don't know what', though I think the level of cover-up and conspiracy requires more of an investigation than that to say the least. The exploitation of women and youth in general is something to be weary of in a society with so many problems and confusing messages, not to mention the revelation that those in power may have had more of an interest than realised in the commodification of sexual objectification and exploitation. I may have thought at times that 'sexual liberation' might come with a more 'progressive' society, but perhaps the presumption that people naturally want to so openly share their ideas of their own sexuality or availability isn't necessarily the case, and the dangers of such presumptions, even in a society that doesn't have the predatory problems we have, is that people are encouraged to share their sexuality in a public arena (of discussion even) before they have decided for themselves. Perhaps sexuality isn't necessarily something people want to give words to or compare, perhaps it's completely subjective and yet incredibly intimate and private between people. I'm open minded to the more 'liberated' view as well though and whilst I totally think sex education has been necessary in the face of sexually repressive times, I'm just wary of the other extreme. And so whilst also not being on the side of Mary Whitehouse and co (and look at what's happened to Cliff Richard) I am also finding myself more and more sympathetic to Howie's 'prudishness' and certainly to the fact that he is ultimately a benevolent man who cares enough about truth and goodness to have such strong faith. And Edward Woodward is indeed wonderful. Another interesting point you made, in reference to perhaps real conspiracies, is that if Howie had succumbed to Willow's advances then he would have made himself open to blackmail.<br /><br />I think it's interesting to look at the idea of imposition of religion by the powerful, the creation and belief in myths and the role/game playing in society that pertains to the narratives created by the powerful... <br /><br />Also, yes, the shot at the end of the sun is incredible, and terrifying. What it leaves you questioning is immense and chilling, like staring into a lonely abyss where there are no myths to project our awareness/consciousness and there is an awful loneliness in his betrayal. Perhaps there is a link between the violence against him and the shot of the sun.. It's an atrocity that he is stripped of his spiritual beliefs in the way he is murdered, and a violence against humanity. Perhaps to emphasise a connection in religions worshipping nature is to deny the human spirit. Or at least, nature is indifferent to our suffering.<br /><br />Apologies for the length and rambling nature of this, and accepting this is months after publication, but it's just such a complex and interesting film!katherine campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721499917980034623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9053180878507967014.post-36490088203257137542014-05-03T17:31:45.219-07:002014-05-03T17:31:45.219-07:00Thank you for your kind comments, Carla. I shall c...Thank you for your kind comments, Carla. I shall certainly explore the Scandinavian saga you mention. Apparently Robin Hardy researched the full twelve volume edition of Frazer's 'The Golden Bough', so this could well have been quoted in that (I only have the one volume paperback edition!).Antony Trepniakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494572175006404939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9053180878507967014.post-57749680358461619442014-04-18T17:46:28.482-07:002014-04-18T17:46:28.482-07:00This was a really interesting read. A very insight...This was a really interesting read. A very insightful take on the BEST FILM EVER MADE.<br /><br />Regarding the thing about Britons sacrificing criminals rather than kings, I would like to suggest the whole king sacrifice element of the film may have come from Scandinavia. There is a passage in Ynglinga saga about an ancient Swedish king who is killed by his subjects after both animals and men are sacrificed but the harvest does not improve. Although, obviously, there´s little suggestion that the people of Summerisle would have sacrificed their own islanders, the actual text of Ynglingasaga is very similar to Howie´s speech about how Lord Summerisle would be next, and that only a king will do. Just a thought. It can be read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DomaldeCarla Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17922927348521382015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9053180878507967014.post-13163558558505028832013-12-10T16:08:15.769-08:002013-12-10T16:08:15.769-08:00Thanks for your interesting comments.
Re. sexism ...Thanks for your interesting comments.<br /><br />Re. sexism - I had been reading a Neo-Pagan response to 'The Wicker Man' which argues that Howie is doomed by his rejection of 'feminine wisdom'. But consider Summerisle's feudal set-up, ruled over by the Lord of the Manor. You can't get more patriarchal than that! Added to which there's no evidence on the island of women engaged in anything other than traditionally 'female' occupations; barmaid, schoolmistress, librarian... So far as I can see, Willow is valued purely for her sexuality. You could say that everyone 'adored' Jayne Mansfield in the 1950s, but that was undeniably a sexist era (although Jayne was a proto-feminist in the way she pursued her own career and did more than her fair share for the sexual revolution). <br /><br />Don't get me wrong - I am very strongly opposed to Mary Whitehouse and Co. (how ironic that they lit torches and bonfires!), but there were sexist aspects to the 60s/70s era of sexual liberation that we are sadly becoming more aware of in the UK, with the sad spectacle of men being hauled through the courts for alleged crimes of 40 years ago.<br /><br />I must admit that I have become more sympathetic to Howie over the years. It started off when I read in the novelisation that he is a Socialist. That gives another slant to his dislike of Lord Summerisle. Then I thought about the reasons why Summerisle's atheist grandfather re-introduced Paganism - basically as a scam to exploit the island's workforce. Not exactly progressive!<br /><br />Of course Howie is highly obnoxious in his uptight views and personal demeanour, and this tends to put us on the side of the islanders until we realise what is really going on at the end. <br /><br />My perception of 'The Wicker Man' has changed over the years. The first time I watched it (probably stoned!) I thought that the nasty policeman got his just desserts. Then I went through a spell of thinking that Howie and Summerisle were more or less equivalent to one another with their religious dogmatism. Now I am convinced that Lord Summerisle doesn't really believe in Paganism; he knows the success of next year's crops is really down to the continuing strength of his artificially-bred apple strains and not to appeasing the gods. Otherwise why would he look so worried when Howie reminds him of this fact? <br /><br />If Summerisle doesn't actually believe in the sacrifice, then he is nothing more than a common-or-garden murderer prepared to kill just to maintain his own privileged position. Howie, on the other hand, is genuinely trying against all the odds to rescue a young girl he believes is under threat. So on a moral level I'm afraid Xtianity wins hands down in the film.<br /><br />Which makes me very curious as to why many Neo-Pagans seem like it so much, when they are portrayed as the baddies. I think it is because of the archetypal themes taken from Frazer. If I find the time and energy, I would like to explore this idea more, possibly looking at other uses in popular culture, although it may result in a book to rival 'The Golden Bough'!Antony Trepniakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494572175006404939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9053180878507967014.post-56398448128885409232013-12-07T15:42:33.471-08:002013-12-07T15:42:33.471-08:00A good look at The Final Cut. Nice to hear that Ha...A good look at The Final Cut. Nice to hear that Hardy is not ruling out a better version. I thought he had.<br /><br />The only thing I’d comment on is the part about Summerisle being a sexist community. I’d say it was pretty “liberated.” Willow was being praised in The Landlord’s Daughter, not diminished. They all adored her. We haven’t progressed to the point where it’s alright for people to have sex in public but I’d say there are plenty of people who’d like that to be the norm. Same with the school. We’re such prudes here in this country. Just saying the words penis and vagina are only now becoming “normal.” I don’t think LS leered at the young girls. He just wasn’t a prude like Howie.<br /><br />i’d say they were pretty progressive. And Howie fit in pretty well as the foil to that.Old-Green7544https://www.blogger.com/profile/09951904762316180705noreply@blogger.com