I have faith in everlasting life, as Jesus Christ told us we would have. Sergeant Neil Howie (played by Edward Woodward) travels to the isolated Scottish island of Summerisle to look into the vanishing of a young girl who is twelve years old. Upon arrival, he discovers a society deeply rooted in Pagan traditions, overseen by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). Encountering resistance and apathy at every turn—and growing increasingly frustrated as his Christian convictions are challenged—Howie finds himself isolated and probably facing serious peril. Robin Hardy directed this film, which Anthony Shaffer adapted from David Pinner’s novel, Ritual; The Wicker Man is undeniably a cult classic. The story behind its creation could easily fill an entire movie itself, considering the controversies surrounding censorship, studio edits, stand-ins, and even upsetting religious organizations—it's a film that deserves exploration through high-quality home video releases. From the moment Howie (and Woodward delivers a truly exceptional performance) steps onto Summerisle, something feels amiss; a disturbing feeling hangs over everything. He’s confronted with unsettling sights wherever he goes, songs and ceremonies slowly wearing down his mind, and even subtle eroticism woven into the film's design. The situation is unclear to him, and it's also unclear to us—it’s a mystery, isn’t it? After all, there's a missing child who needs to be found, right? But when Lord Summerisle (Lee is also excellent) appears and raises the stakes, things begin to fall apart in a tense way, leading up to the deservedly famous and disturbing ending. Some contemporary horror viewers might object to the absence of graphic violence, but this is a prime example of classic horror. It's an intelligent film filled with clever writing. 9/10

Source on TMDB