Screen Daily is reporting that after a worldwide search an uncut print of the 102 minute version of the original The Wicker Man has been located. The 1973 classic horror film had almost twenty minutes of footage removed prior to its release. The negatives and source materials disappeared from Shepperton Studios sometime later and are rumored to have ended up in a land fill. For many years only the 88 minute version was available until a telecine video transfer of the film was found in 2001 that included many of the missing scenes. These scenes were combined with the existing film cut for a DVD release in 2006. This was believed to be the best surviving version until this new announcement.
StudioCanal launched a worldwide search for a film print of the full version for the film's 40th Anniversary. Now that one has been found they are planning a restoration and Theatrical release in the UK, followed by a DVD/Blu-ray release. No US announcement at this time.
The Wicker Man, not to be confused with the infamous Nicholas Cage remake, stars Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. The story follows a police officer who visits a remote island inhabited by pagans to search for a missing girl.
0 PC Beasts Commented:
Post a Comment