The Wicker Tree (2011)

In 7 words or less: Americans take a nice trip to Scotland.

What's it all About? Based on Robin Hardy's novel 'Cowboys for Christ' we see two enthusiastic, young yanks take on the job of preaching the bible door to door in a remote Scottish town before they seal-the-deal with marriage and snuggles. They absolutely love it at first... But things start getting a bit weird.

Saucy

Best bits? As soon as it starts you are struck by Robin Hardy's unique and wonky style. Managing at once to be highly stylised and a bit wrong. There is some really great camera work here, and it looks like in the 42 years since the Wicker Man, he's got his hands on a tripod.

The actors are all pretty much unknown (apart from a strange, brief cameo from Sir Christopher Lee) and everyone performs convincingly, especially the two lead Americans, Nicol and Garet who really stick out in the clash of Texan and Scottish accents. Their characters are idiots, no doubt, however, they are so nice that you are really rooting for them as the doomed party, to survive. A far cry from Sgt. Howie in the Wicker Man, he was just so uptight... He had to die.

One of the most refreshing things about this is it's sense of humour; it had me chuckling lolling myself in a few scenes. Hardy is clearly playing with our expectations of the film that we know to be a "spiritual sequel" to the Wicker Man. This time around, we can laugh at the fates of the poor Texan SOB's.

"Look what I made!"

You'll also enjoy: Raven POV shots, Boobies and Tallywhackers aplenty, some extreme paganism, great songs, nice locations and if you like horses... there's some horses.

Did it make you think thoughts? There's little secrecy in this, everyone is open about everything. The villagers talk openly (in a closed kind of way) about their plans, which lowers the tension of the film a bit.

It made me glad to be watching a 'Wicker' film without Nick Cage. (I'm sure he'll bring himself back to life for a sequel at some point though).

Would you watch it again? Yes! I believe i'll buy this on Blu-Ray. I doubt it will get worn out like the Wicker Man, but i'd play it again.

The one in the red Converse looks ticked off...

Rating (out of 100%): I'm going to throw a 75% at this and see what happens. It's not perfect and it's slightly unnecessary. However, it will curb your need to burn things in Wicker for the next 42 years.