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Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

post #1 of 27
6/19/06 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 
On August 22nd, Anchor Bay Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment company, will be re-releasing The Wicker Man DVD, repackaged at a new low suggested price of $14.98. Presenting the acclaimed U.S. theatrical version of the 1978 cult horror classic, fully restored from original vault materials, The Wicker Man is the literate-yet-terrifying inspiration for the September 1st theatrical remake starring Nicolas Cage.

When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward of “The Equalizer”) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee, Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Star Wars prequels), is not what it seems as the devout Christian detective soon uncovers a secret society of unbridled lust and pagan blasphemy. Can Howie stop the cult’s ultimate sacrifice before he comes face-to-face with the horror of THE WICKER MAN? Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento and Ingrid Pitt co-star in this provocative shocker written by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth, Frenzy) that many fans and critics worldwide consider a modern horror masterpiece.

The Wicker Man DVD has the following bonus features:

Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1), enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Interviews with Stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Ingrid Pitt, Director Robin Hardy, Producer Peter Snell, Writer Anthony Shaffer, Editor Eric-Boyd Perkins, Art Director Seamus Flannery, Assistant Director Jake Wright, U.S. Distributor John Simon and Legendary Filmmaker Roger Corman
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spot
Radio Spots
Talent Bios
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post #2 of 27
6/19/06 at 1:41pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

I seem to recall that the original release was a cut version. Does this mean that since you mentioned from original vault material that this is the uncut version? I guess I'm optimistic but I also noticed that you mentioned it was a re-release so I'm hoping that it is not just a restored version of what is already available. Thanks for the info Ron.
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post #3 of 27
6/19/06 at 2:01pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

It sounds simply like a price reduced reissue of the single disc, which had the bonus documentary. The limited edition wooden box featured a bonus disc of the Roger Corman 1" video master extended cut, with "restored" footage used in place of lower resolution videotape footage.
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post #4 of 27
6/19/06 at 2:47pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

I actually preferred the cut version, but that's just me I suppose.
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post #5 of 27
6/19/06 at 3:21pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Much like Army of Darkness, the cut version is a little tighter.
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post #6 of 27
6/19/06 at 3:44pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

The 1" analogue video master of the longer version was not from Roger Corman; Corman actually holds a 35mm print of this longer version, yet it wasn't used for the transfer, for some reason. Or am I wrong?
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post #7 of 27
6/19/06 at 3:56pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

The film would look wonderfull if restored, as it has an aged, soft, low budget look to it-and the spliced in videotape sections looks worse.

Its comforting to know that a 35mm print of the longer version exists:what will it take to get Corman to restore/release it....
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post #8 of 27
6/19/06 at 8:08pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Wow. I can't believe they didn't license the commentary track.
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post #9 of 27
6/19/06 at 8:46pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Will this be a non-rotting version, unlike the boxed set I have but can't play anymore?
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post #10 of 27
6/19/06 at 9:03pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy G
I seem to recall that the original release was a cut version. Does this mean that since you mentioned from original vault material that this is the uncut version?

Since the press release says it's the "the acclaimed U.S. theatrical version," that means it won't be the longer version.

DJ
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post #11 of 27
6/19/06 at 9:30pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

anyone mind telling me the differences in the cuts?
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post #12 of 27
6/19/06 at 10:18pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

I remember a prologue that gives more insight into the Constables Episcopalian backround, showing him to be a devout, very religious, 'modern' church going man, who was strictly against "Earth Spririt" paganism-sort of a cross between Gaia and witchcraft that has been practiced in the British Isles for centuries;
We also see him go to the Highlands District police office where he is given the assignment of finding the missing girl. This will cut into the start of the Theatrical version, with the his seaplane flying over the landscape, and the credits rolling to some very beautiful, ancient Celtic sounding music.
There may have been more nudity- I recall that he too, is attracted, rather than indifferent/repelled by the Saloon keepers lovely daughters offering of herself in the room next door and uses all his might to repell his longing to give in and exprience the charms she is offering....
It has been a long time since I have seen it-so some of the above may be off-
I wish the elements were in better shape-there are times that it has a 16mm home movie look to it-not to mention age and damage.
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post #13 of 27
6/20/06 at 2:15pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon McMurphy
The 1" analogue video master of the longer version was not from Roger Corman; Corman actually holds a 35mm print of this longer version, yet it wasn't used for the transfer, for some reason. Or am I wrong?

The 1" tape was the source for the original domestic VHS release (from Media Home Entertainment in 1978) - I had dubbed that version years ago. Supposedly Corman's 35mm print (which was the source for the telecined videotape) had been lost. There is a noticeable difference in quality if you have the limited edition disc to watch. As I mentioned earlier, all duplicate footage for this disc was replaced using the regular length restored 35mm British print.

http://www.steve-p.org/wm/ - The various versions of The Wicker Man
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post #14 of 27
6/21/06 at 6:20am

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

I have the wooden box already, but would have picked this up if it had the R2 commentary.
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post #15 of 27
6/21/06 at 5:39pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

I'm confused...

Wasn't the single disc version already released back in 2004?

http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=33292
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post #16 of 27
6/21/06 at 8:08pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Yes it was, AFAIK.
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post #17 of 27
6/22/06 at 6:55am

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

No running time on Anchor Bay's website, however, Amazon lists this reissue at 88 minutes, which would make it the shorter UK theatrical cut, not the 99-minute US cut. (The longer version, sourced from Roger Corman's sole print, was released theatrically in the US in the late '70s to great critical and public acclaim.) So just a straight reissue, it would seem.

Anchor Bay link: http://www.anchorbayentertainment.co...784&PriCatID=3

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FUF6QS/
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post #18 of 27
6/22/06 at 6:22pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Quote:
Wasn't the single disc version already released back in 2004?

Quote:
On August 22nd, Anchor Bay Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment company, will be re-releasing The Wicker Man DVD, repackaged at a new low suggested price of $14.98.

Nothing to be confused about. This is just a re-release at a lower price, as stated in the press release.
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post #19 of 27
6/23/06 at 5:26am

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

The confusion comes because the press release was obviously written by some gimp in the office who has probably never even seen The Wicker Man.

Quoting from the above press release: "Presenting the acclaimed U.S. theatrical version of the 1978 cult horror classic ..."

The Wicker Man was released in 1973 in Britain, 1974 in the United States. It was completely ignored on its initial U.S. run, only achieving the "acclaim" it deserved on its late-'70s re-release. But that re-release was of the longer 'Roger Corman' version, not the original theatrical cut, which is what Anchor Bay are giving us here. It's all in the wording, and this press release is a typically shoddy affair.
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post #20 of 27
6/23/06 at 5:49am

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve.P
But that re-release was of the longer 'Roger Corman' version, not the original theatrical cut, which is what Anchor Bay are giving us here.

Sorry but I'm still confused. If Amazon lists it at 88 min and Anchor Bay is saying it is the re-released theatrical run, I believe one of them has to be wrong. It seems like it is the longer cut and Amazon just has the wrong running time on it.
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post #21 of 27
6/23/06 at 5:59am

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Anchor Bay are not saying this is the "re-released theatrical run", they are saying it is the "U.S. theatrical version". Again, it's all in the words. The 88-minute version *is* the original theatrical cut. It is not the "acclaimed" cut, however, nor does it date from 1978.

My guess, based on the extras, and on the (admittedly) sketchy Amazon listing, is that this is a straight repackaging job of the single-disc, 88-minute cut.
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post #22 of 27
6/23/06 at 12:35pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Since I already have the wooden box edition and the complete soundtrack CD, the only WICKER MAN news that will get me excited is the discovery of the original negative, which is supposedly buried under a British motorway. Or, failing that, at least the discovery of Rog's complete 35mm print.
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post #23 of 27
6/25/06 at 11:09am

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Roger's print was actually only 16mm.

I managed to get the UK 2-disc set for £3.99 recently which I was very happy with. Add me to the (apparently small) list of people who consider the shorter version the better one - it's more mysterious, unnerving and far more economical overall. The longer version is rather floppier, padded out with red herrings, needless exposition and interesting but extraneous bits of Pagan business.
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post #24 of 27
6/25/06 at 12:02pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

I managed to get the 3-disc R2 copy of this:
---
Original Theatrical Version
English 5.1 Dolby Digital
Running Time: 84 Minutes (PAL)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85, 16:9

Director's Cut Version
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
Running Time: 99 Minutes (PAL)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85, 16:9

Feature-Length Audio Commentary with
Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, and Director Robin Hardy
The Wicker Man Enigma - 35 Minute Documentary
Christopher Lee Interview (25 Minutes)
Original Theatrical Trailer
Talent Biographies, TV & Radio Spots, and much more.

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
music by Paul Giovanni & Gary Carpenter (uncredited)

Exclusive Limited Edition Senitype, from the Motion Picture and its Corresponding 35mm Film Frame

Reproduction of the Original UK Theatrical Press Campaign Book

Original 27" x 40" UK One Sheet Cinema Poster.
Free Mail in Offer to UK residents only.

Deluxe 3 disc set limited to 5000 copies.
-----
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post #25 of 27
6/26/06 at 1:02pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

The R2 DVD is sped up, which really affects the play of the dialogue and music (to my sensitive ears, anyway). I'm sticking with the old AB wooden box.
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post #26 of 27
6/26/06 at 1:40pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

The R2 is also non-progressive / interlaced. But the commentary is highly informative and entertaining; Anchor should have tried to license it for this re-re-release.
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post #27 of 27
6/26/06 at 1:48pm

Re: Anchor Bay Press Release: The Wicker Man

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey Nelson
The R2 DVD is sped up, which really affects the play of the dialogue and music (to my sensitive ears, anyway).

I bought the Warner R2 after my Anchor Bay wooden box edition was destroyed in last year's Hurricane Katrina. Only the shorter 88-minute cut suffers from PAL speed-up; the 99-minute cut has somehow been calibrated to the correct running speed. (It's a shame this isn't done more often.)

Whilst I still wish I had my R1 limited edition -- I won't be paying the inflated eBay prices anytime soon, however -- I am more than happy with the R2. That said, I may pick up this new single-disc R1 edition just to have the 88-minute cut in NTSC.
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