The Wicker Man (The original version)
Yesterday, I watched a movie that is unsettling on an emotional level, but it is interesting on an intellectual one. The name is The Wicker Man.
I would call it more a violent thriller than a horror movie. The violence in this movie is sort of mild for today's standards of violence and gore. On an intellectual level, I think this movie will be open to interpretation. I read that the screenwriter of this movie (his last name is Schaffer, if I remember correctly) was an Atheist and he was trying to make a point of the absurdity of religious beliefs. And this is very specially clear at the end to me. I spoke about it to S. "It might be a bit too arty for your taste, but the thriller lover and the Atheist in you might at least find it worth watching," I said when he asked me whether he would enjoy it. Oddly enough, some Christians find it to be pro-Christian because of the ending, but I personally do not see how is this pro-Christian.
From this non-Christian believer's standpoint, this still has an undertone that deals with religion, although I see it more from anti-fanaticism point of view. I acknowledge my bias, of course.
On top of that, the acting was good. I will join the herd of sheeps and say that Christopher Lee was the best thing in the movie! I already saw him as two other charming and smart villains: as Dracula and as Saruman in Lord of the Rings. To add more, I recommend the director's cut in which Lord Summersile (Lee's character) talks about why he prefers Animals to humans (the scene in general is terrific; and it is uploaded in Youtube if you are interested). In addition, there are enough musical scenes to make you think this is part musical (but in a different way than other horror/thriller musicals, like Sweeney Todd). In fact, the songs relate to the existential tone and religious commentary that goes throughout the film. I also would recommend to watch it if you are not prone to have stereotypes about Pagans (and especially modern ones).
I won't watch it often just because it is too unsettling to handle, but this film will stand as a favourite.
As for the new version with Nicholas Cage... I saw the trailer as well as some bits in Youtube. Not only his acting was bad, but there were too many elements taken away, including much of the religious/existential commentary. So I am not too crazy about watching it.
(And shame on Ellen Burstyn trying to play the female version of Christopher Lee's character! She could have done it a lot better than she did!)