The Wicker Man

* In the village cemetery, there is a tree planted atop each grave, to provide transubstantiation from death to life.

* A schoolteacher instructs her class of early-teenage girls about reproductive energies and the significance of the phallic symbol.

* A boy of 13 or 14 loses his virginity to the Innkeeper's beautiful daughter, while downstairs, a man sings "...I put my hand upon her thigh, and she says- 'do you want to try?'...I put my hand on her belly, and she says- 'do you want to fill me?'...gently, gently, Johnny..."

The Wicker Man is truly a unique film. Part musical, part murder mystery, part pagan fable, it inhabits its own sub-genre. Filmed in 1972 in western Scotland, the screenplay was penned by Anthony Shaffer, the author of Hitchcock's Frenzy. Made on a minuscule budget, the film took many risks and despite commercial failure and obscurity, it has endured to be on the top 100 lists of many film critics.

I won't reveal too much of the plot, other than to say that it concerns a police constable from the mainland who is investigating the disappearance of a girl, on a secluded island within his jurisdiction.

The casting is flawless. As "Lord Summerisle", Christopher Lee finally has an opportunity to hang up his fangs, and he has never been more charismatic. Britt Eklund plays the role she was born for: that of Aphrodite's acolyte. Edward Woodward (yes, "The Equalizer") is perfect as Sgt. Howie, the devoutly Christian police officer and interloper. The schoolteacher is well-portrayed by Diane Cilento (the former Mrs. Sean Connery). The legendary Ingrid Pitt has a small role as the town librarian. Most of the rest of the cast are local residents, which adds immeasurably to the realism. The excellent cinematography does justice to the severe beauty of the Scottish locations.

There are three different cuts of The Wicker Man, at 87, 95 and 103 minutes. The first two are essentially worthless, as they abridge the beginning, leaving Sgt. Howie's character inadequately developed. They also omit any of the nudity or sexual situations, which are also essential to the theme. I highly recommend The Wicker Man, but only in its full 103 minute version.