The Wicker Man (1973)

When a young girl is reported missing, a police sergeant (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. As a devout conservative Christian, he is appalled by the pagan rituals practiced by the locals and the evasiveness of the island community suggests something sinister is going on. Written by Anthony Shaffer (SLEUTH) and directed by Robin Hardy. This is really one of the great horror films of the 1970s and it does so without excessive gore and blood. It's restrained and although the film's generous sensuality and sex and Christian mockery could never have been done in the 1940s, one can't help but think of those wonderful Val Lewton RKO horror classics. Smart and understated with a killer (literally) finale, its reputation (it's been referred to as the CITIZEN KANE of horror films) is well deserved. The use of music and songs in the film are liberal almost to the point of being a borderline musical! With Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland and Ingrid Pitt.