The Wicker Tree
The Wicker Tree is a 2011 British horror film written and directed by Robin Hardy, functioning as a thematic sequel to his 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man.[1] The story centers on two young Texan Christian missionaries—a gospel singer named Beth Boothby and her cowboy fiancé Steve Thomson—who travel to Scotland to proselytize, only to be welcomed into a remote border village called Tressock, where they unwittingly participate in pagan fertility rituals tied to an annual festival.[2] The film explores themes of religious clash, sexual awakening, and sacrifice, echoing the folk horror elements of its predecessor through a blend of dark comedy, music, and escalating dread.[1] Adapted from Hardy's own 2006 novel Cowboys for Christ (later retitled The Wicker Tree), the screenplay was developed by the director to revisit the pagan versus Christian tensions of the original film, though it features an entirely new cast and setting rather than direct narrative continuity.[2] Principal photography took place in the Scottish Borders, with production handled by Hardy and longtime collaborator Peter Snell, who also produced The Wicker Man.[1] The lead roles are portrayed by Brittania Nicol as Beth, Henry Garrett as Steve, Graham McTavish as the village's charismatic laird Sir Lachlan Morrison, and Jacqueline Leonard as his wife Delia, with supporting performances from Honeysuckle Weeks, Clive Russell, and a brief cameo by Christopher Lee as an elderly villager.[3] The film's score incorporates folk-inspired music and original songs, including performances by Nicol, to heighten its ritualistic atmosphere.[2] Upon its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2011, followed by a limited UK theatrical release in August 2011, The Wicker Tree received mixed to negative reviews, praised by some for its ambitious return to folk horror roots but criticized for uneven pacing, awkward dialogue, and failing to capture the original's quirky charm.[2] It holds a 20% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic consensus highlighting its "clunky" execution compared to the 1973 film and the 2006 Nicolas Cage remake.[4] Despite the reception, the movie has garnered a niche cult following among fans of British horror and The Wicker Man franchise, often discussed for its bold, if flawed, exploration of cultural and religious misunderstandings.[2]Background
Relation to The Wicker Man
The Wicker Tree serves as the second installment in director Robin Hardy's planned trilogy of folk horror films, following the 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man and preceding the unproduced Wrath of the Gods, which was never produced following Hardy's death in 2016,[5] with the intention of expanding upon the original's exploration of the tensions between paganism and Christianity.[6] Hardy described the film as a spiritual successor rather than a literal sequel, aiming to revisit and repeat the genre elements established in The Wicker Man to demonstrate their enduring viability.[7] Both works delve into how Christianity and paganism influence one another, portraying fundamentalism as a tool for manipulation and control within isolated communities.[7] The film features numerous allusions and parallels to its predecessor, including recurring motifs of ritual sacrifice and May Day celebrations that underscore themes of fertility rites and communal deception.[8] These elements position The Wicker Tree as a thematic companion piece, echoing the original's blend of horror, music, and cultural clash without directly continuing its narrative.[7] Christopher Lee makes a cameo appearance as an elderly villager, providing a visual and thematic bridge between the two films despite the character's limited screen time, originally intended for a larger role (as Sir Lachlan Morrison) before Lee's injury necessitated the change.[8] This connection highlights The Wicker Tree's role as a homage to the original's legacy. The Wicker Man achieved cult status over decades, evolving from a troubled 1973 release into a revered folk horror landmark for its innovative fusion of genres and critique of religious hypocrisy, which The Wicker Tree seeks to honor and extend.[9]Development
Robin Hardy, the director of the 1973 film The Wicker Man, first conceived ideas for a sequel in the late 1980s, with plans evolving into a loose trilogy that would further explore themes of paganism and cultural clash.[10] By the 1990s, Hardy had developed an initial screenplay titled The Riding of the Laddie, intended as the second installment, but the project stalled due to lack of financing as attention shifted toward an official remake of the original.[11] In 2006, Hardy announced progress on the sequel, securing rights to the original and beginning outreach to potential financiers, while publishing his novel Cowboys for Christ to generate interest and refine the story concept.[12] The novel, written after early screenplay drafts, provided a foundation for the film's narrative, allowing Hardy to expand on character motivations and thematic elements.[2] Development faced significant financial hurdles, with an early 2000s production attempt canceled due to funding shortfalls, followed by multiple halts from 2007 to 2009 amid budget constraints exacerbated by the 2008 global financial crisis.[13] Filming, originally slated for September 2007 and later April 2008, was postponed until 2009, when Hardy secured backing from British Lion Films for an estimated budget of $7.75 million.[14]Synopsis and cast
Plot
Beth Boothby, a successful evangelical Christian pop singer from Texas, and her fiancé Steve Thomson, a cowboy who shares her devout faith, embark on a two-year missionary journey to Scotland to spread the Gospel door-to-door. The couple, both wearing purity rings as symbols of their commitment to chastity until marriage, initially face hostility and rejection in Edinburgh.[1][15] Their fortunes change when they encounter Sir Lachlan Morrison, a charismatic Scottish laird, who invites them to his remote village of Tressock for its annual May Day celebrations, promising a more receptive audience for their preaching. Welcomed warmly by the villagers and Lachlan's wife, Lady Delia, Beth and Steve are drawn into the festivities; Beth is selected as the May Queen and Steve as the Laddie, participating in traditional games and rituals that seem innocently festive at first. As a spiritual sequel to the 1973 film The Wicker Man, the story echoes themes of cultural misunderstanding.[1][15] As the couple becomes more involved, they uncover the villagers' adherence to ancient pagan customs, including a desperate ritual to lift a fertility curse afflicting the land—believed to stem from pollution caused by the nearby Tressock nuclear power plant. Deceptions unfold, leading to tense confrontations and a climactic revelation of the true purpose behind their roles in the ceremonies, highlighting the clash between their Christian beliefs and the villagers' secretive practices.[15]Cast
The principal cast of The Wicker Tree features Brittania Nicol in the lead role of Beth Boothby, an evangelical country singer from Texas who embarks on a missionary journey to Scotland.[3] Henry Garrett portrays Steve Thomson, her cowboy fiancé and fellow missionary, bringing a earnest but naive energy to the character's cultural clashes.[3] Graham McTavish plays Sir Lachlan Morrison, the charismatic baronet of the village of Tressock, delivering a performance noted for its sly authority amid the film's pagan intrigue.[3][16] Jacqueline Leonard stars as Lady Delia Morrison, Sir Lachlan's sophisticated and manipulative wife, whose portrayal adds layers of subtle menace to the couple's hospitality.[3] Christopher Lee appears in a brief cameo as an old gentleman in a flashback scene, linking the film to the original; originally intended for a larger part, his involvement was limited due to an injury during production.[3][17] Supporting roles include Honeysuckle Weeks as Lolly, a flirtatious villager who engages with the protagonists, and Clive Russell as Beame, the estate manager whose gruff demeanor underscores the local traditions.[3] Additional ensemble members feature David Gleeson in a minor role as a villager and Prue Clarke as Mary Hellier, contributing to the film's depiction of Tressock's insular community.[3]| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brittania Nicol | Beth Boothby | Lead evangelical singer; debut major film role.[3] |
| Henry Garrett | Steve Thomson | Cowboy missionary; handles physical stunts.[3] |
| Graham McTavish | Sir Lachlan Morrison | Village baronet; praised for authentic Scottish delivery.[3][16] |
| Jacqueline Leonard | Lady Delia Morrison | Baronet's wife; emphasizes poised villainy.[3] |
| Christopher Lee | Old Gentleman | Brief linking cameo to original film.[3][15] |
| Honeysuckle Weeks | Lolly | Supporting villager.[3] |
| Clive Russell | Beame | Estate manager.[3] |
| David Gleeson | Villager | Minor ensemble role.[3] |
| Prue Clarke | Mary Hellier | Supporting role.[3] |