Check out the new poster and trailer for The Wicker Man 4K restoration

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the folk-horror classic, STUDIOCANAL is delighted to launch a new poster and trailer to accompany the release of the first-ever 4k restoration of THE WICKER MAN: THE FINAL CUT.  The poster was created by artist Richey Beckett.

In the 50 years since its original release, THE WICKER MAN has achieved true cult status as one of the most revered horror films in cinema history, despite a difficult production and heavily cut original theatrical release. The search for the fabled missing scenes has only added to the myth surrounding a film that still inspires filmmakers to this day. THE WICKER MAN was directed by Robin Hardy and has a cast featuring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Diane Cilento. Telling the chilling story of a puritan Police Sergeant who arrives on a remote Scottish Island in search of a missing girl only to find the Pagan locals claiming she never existed, THE WICKER MAN is also much celebrated for its soundtrack, composed by Paul Giovanni and overseen by Gary Carpenter, featuring haunting reworkings of traditional British folk songs.

Reborn in glorious 4K, THE WICKER MAN: THE FINAL CUT will return to UK cinemas this Summer Solstice, June 21 for one night only and with exclusive 50^th Anniversary Event footage screening before the film.

Filmed at Picturehouse Central in London on May 1st, the 50^th Anniversary Event included a star-studded on-stage celebration of the film. Presented by Edith Bowman, the on-stage show included guest of honour, actress Britt Ekland, associate musical director from the film Gary Carpenter, the family of the director Robin Hardy and fans of THE WICKER MAN: acclaimed writer/actor Reece Shearsmith and chief film critic at The Independent newspaper: Clarisse Loughrey.An exclusive musical performance by Broadside Hacks, covering 4 tracks from the iconic soundtrack.

HEAVENLY RECORDINGS EP

To celebrate the film’s iconic soundtrack, acclaimed record label HEAVENLY RECORDINGS have produced an exclusive 7 track EP featuring new versions of some of the film’s most memorable music, performed by Katy J Pearson and friends, including Broadside Hacks and H.Hawkline with remixes by Richard Norris and Stone Club.

Katy J Pearson said: “Strangely, I heard The Wicker Man soundtrack way before I watched the movie. I remember my dad playing me Willow’s Song and I found it hypnotic and it started being a song I listened to a lot. The version I did for the record was a kind of psychedelic/ kraut rock version so having the opportunity to work with my friends Broadside Hacks on a traditional cover which they put together so beautifully has been really brilliant.  I’m such a fan so it’s an honour to be involved in the 50th anniversary of The Wicker Man.”

Willow’s Song will be released as a single on June 21. The full EP will be available in the Autumn and will also be included in THE WICKER MAN COLLECTOR’S EDITION from September 4.

HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE

STUDIOCANAL have restored all 3 cuts of THE WICKER MAN in honour of the 50^th anniversary. All three versions of the film; The Final Cut, the Director’s Cut and the Theatrical Cut, will be released in an exclusive Collector’s Edition and on 4k UHD for the first time on September 4^th. The 5-disc Collector’s Edition will also include an exclusive EP from Heavenly records, a 64-page booklet with brand new essays, 3 ‘Postcards from Summerisle’ and 2 posters of the new and original artwork. 

The film will also be released as a Steelbook and on Digital. Pre-order here.

THE RESTORATION

This restoration was scanned in 4K by Silver Salt Restoration UK, from the original 35mm negative.

A second generation 35mm intermediate positive produced in 1973 was used to replace a small section with unrepairable damage in the original negative. The additional footage is sourced from 35mm prints, which are the only known sources for this material. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration UK who dedicated over 500 hours to fix physical damage to the 35mm negative, manually clean and remove dirt, sparkle and scratches. The colour grade used was previously approved by Robin Hardy and replicated here.

THE WICKER MAN: Final Cut will be released in UK cinemas with accompanying 50th Anniversary event footage on June 21st: the Summer Solstice.

THE WICKER MAN (all 3 versions) will then be released in an exclusive Collector’s Edition and on 4k UHD for the first time on September 4th.

There is also a new book, The Wicker Man: The Official Story of the Film by John Walsh, which is out on 24th October 2023.

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