Repertoire of Elements - The Wickerman

Scene/Events

What scenes/events are typical of the genre? ● Visiting a new area - Sergeant Howie arrives on the island. ● Sexual temptations - When Willow “calls” for Sergeant Howie in the middle of the night through song.● Religious ceremonies ● Visiting graveyards ● Sacrifices - How they sacrifice Sergeant Howie.● Death - The death of Sergeant Howie.

What aspects of these scenes/events are typically British elements? ● British Pubs - Regardless of genre, you will most likely to be able to find a scene that is set in a pub.● Detective scenes - With the typical detective scene where Sergeant Howie is searching from door to door for

any evidence of Rowan’s existence. This is typically British because in America you would most likely see an undercover spy of some sort instead, who would not have as much attention drawn to them.

● The arrival of Sergeant Howie on a small plane onto a small island.

Themes

Typical of Genre● Religious overtones● Abnormal culture ● Sex● Fake death (of monster)● Fear of unknown

Typical British Elements● Fear of unknown- typical of british horror and a horror genre● Deception- commonly a misuse of trust between people used to engage the audience. Used

throughout the entire film. ● Religion - being the centrepoint of the film and this religious overtone in it has a large influence

on their actions and can explain their abnormal behaviour.

SettingWhat kind of setting is typical of this genre?

● Isolated place● Unknown place● Church

What setting is typically British?

● It is set solely in Britain● British Countryside● Very small church● British Pub

CharactersWhat Characters are typical of the genre?

● Vulnerable- Sergeant Howie was vulnerable right from the start as he did not know that he was part of a sacrifice, he thought that he was trying to find a missing person.

● Virgin- This is shown when the Landlord’s daughter is calling the Sergeant to her room, but he does not go to her room as he has devoted himself to God.

● Religious- The cultists of Summerisle are very religious throughout the film, for example, when Sergeant Howie visits the school, the children are dancing around a maypole to worship the body that the Lord has given them.

What about the characters are typically British?● Paganism- This is shown when the sacrifice ceremony takes place. ● Strong Religious characters that leads to abnormal behaviour- This is also shown when they do

the sacrifice as they have strongly believed about their religion and have actually gone to a point where they are willing to kill someone for something they believe in.

Mise-en-scene

What Mise -en-scene is typical of this genre?● The white long t-shirt that Sergeant Howie is dressed during the final scene

represents him being pure and innocent. ● Dressed as a fool showing he has been fooled but still unaware of what is

actually happening to him.

What aspects of Mise-en-scene are typically British?● British police uniforms● British attire ie turtlenecks worn by Lord Summerisle

and a lot of the towns folk.

Micro Techniques Typical of Genre● Long shots are used to show isolation ● Aerial shots are used to establish the scene and particularly in ‘The

Wickerman’ to make the island appear normal the the start.

Typical British Elements● Sound: Folk music soundtrack● Characters singing songs from their culture

Subverting the Audiences’ Expectations

Typical of the genreWhen first watching the film you are trying to pick out who you think is the ‘monster’, it is only till right near the end where you find out that that Lord Summerisle is the ‘monster’. You find out that he is the antagonist when Howie comes to realisation that Lord Summerisle is behind the set up.

Typical British Aspects When the protagonist thinks that they have defeated the antagonist but they have not.