Pagans, what are your views on the new Wickerman movie?

Question

I liked the movie, because I like this genre of movies, but I liked the original better.
Although I didn't like how evil and manipulating the women of summerisle were. Also this movie does not help the stigma that pagans face. sigh....... just like most hollywood movies involing anything pagan do...........

Answer 1

I liked the original movie. The new one made me laugh alot. I mean, Nick Cage is just pathetic. Also, the director clearly has some issues with women he has to deal with. It was too contrived, poorly written and it completely lacked the culture clash of the original (though they tried, surely, but screaming "You Bitches, You Bitches" did not have the same effect as quoting the Bible). The symbology of the original was also completely lacking in the new one. The foreshadowing of the Fool costume didn't exist with the bear costume, for example.

My view- It could have been great, if they'd had someone like Christopher Lee thumping history at them like the first producers did. But alas, they wrecked it. It's all very sad. I was disappointed. I don't see any problem with the way Pagans were portrayed because it seems very clear that in both cases you were dealing with extreme sects, outside society. Most modern Pagans are integrated into society and extreme cults are the minority. It was the same kind of thing with the extreme Christian witchburning cult in Silent Hill.

Answer 2

I have not seen the remake. I enjoyed the original, but have the same reservations that you do about how Pagans are portrayed.

I have a funny story about the original. Around 20 years ago, I had a "showing" of that movie at my home, and my coven-mates came over with their souses and a few friends, and my housemates were also there.

One of my housemates, Mike, got VERY quiet toward the end of the movie, and his eyes got HUGE and he kind of shrank into himself...I took him aside after the movie and asked him after what was wrong, and he said "How would YOU feel if you were the only one in the room who wasn't singing along with the sacrifice song?"

(Everyone but Mike knew "Sumer is a-Cumin In" because I had taught everyone the song for Beltane celebrations).

I felt bad for Mike, but I couldn't help but burst out laughing...