Religion and Ethics Forum

Religion and Ethics Discussion => Christian Topic => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on August 26, 2018, 09:09:46 PM

Title: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 26, 2018, 09:09:46 PM
'However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before".'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-45245229
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Anchorman on August 26, 2018, 11:07:01 PM
'However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before".'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-45245229
   





This isn't new to me.
Back after the local flea pit shut, our Kirk showed a series of Hammer classics ....the usual  Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee stuff )and none the worse for that)
The Wicker Man as well.
Video killed that off, though; pity, as it wes a good atmosphere.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: SusanDoris on August 27, 2018, 06:59:12 AM
'However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before".'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-45245229
There was a woman on Stephen  Nolan's phone-in last night who thought it was all wrong because a cathedral should only be talking about Christianity and, apparently, not allowing a mention of any other thought within its precincts. She also was evidently shocked that the cathedral might be wanting to raise funds.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Steve H on August 27, 2018, 07:51:03 AM
There was a woman on Stephen  Nolan's phone-in last night who thought it was all wrong because a cathedral should only be talking about Christianity and, apparently, not allowing a mention of any other thought within its precincts. She also was evidently shocked that the cathedral might be wanting to raise funds.
If I recall correctly from seeing it many years ago, 'The Wicker Man' is pro-Christianity and anti-paganism, so Idon't know why the old bat is complaining, other than that she's a narrow-minded, curtain-twitching, 'Mail' reading (probably) serial whinger. Edwardwardward Woodwoodwoodwoodward's Christian copper is quite heroic, and the pagans are murdering monsters.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 08:04:01 AM
If I recall correctly from seeing it many years ago, 'The Wicker Man' is pro-Christianity and anti-paganism, so Idon't know why the old bat is complaining, other than that she's a narrow-minded, curtain-twitching, 'Mail' reading (probably) serial whinger. Edwardwardward Woodwoodwoodwoodward's Christian copper is quite heroic, and the pagans are murdering monsters.
I think you need to see it again. While he may display physical courage, he's also depicted as a sour-faced, humourless, uptight, joyless prude with a bolt up his arse.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: trippymonkey on August 27, 2018, 08:25:22 AM
And quite rightly too ?!?!?!?

Certain humourless buggers on here really DO need to see this wonderful film again.
Remember they drew E W there under pretext of human sacrifice ?!?!?
Best thing to do with his character too!!!!

Nick
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 08:38:10 AM
And quite rightly too ?!?!?!?

Certain humourless buggers on here really DO need to see this wonderful film again.
Remember they drew E W there under pretext of human sacrifice ?!?!?
Best thing to do with his character too!!!!

Nick
I'm not unsympathetic. Certainly the inhabitants of Summerisle demanded a human sacrifice as a propitiation to make the crops grow, but at least they had a jolly up beforehand; Woodwardwardwardwardward goes through the film permanently looking as though his cat has just died.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Anchorman on August 27, 2018, 08:42:00 AM
You know, if this was shown in Westminster Cathedral, they might have served complimentary ....popecorn... )I'll get me coat....)
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on August 27, 2018, 08:44:32 AM
I'm not unsympathetic. Certainly the inhabitants of Summerisle demanded a human sacrifice as a propitiation to make the crops grow, but at least they had a jolly up beforehand; Woodwardwardwardwardward goes through the film permanently looking as though his cat has just died.
The presence of Christopher Lee was a bit of a clue.

Is there a sing along version for pagans ?
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 08:50:51 AM
Is there a sing along version for pagans ?
They do a nifty version of Sumer is icumen in* at the end, if that helps? Who knows; they might have subtitles on the DVD - I've never checked.

* Oldest known song in English, trivia fans.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on August 27, 2018, 08:51:10 AM
I think the moral of the Whicker man was that good is bad and bad is just as good ........as you can get........or was that Whickers Island?
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Spud on August 27, 2018, 08:55:08 AM
'However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before".'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-45245229
I don't expect God will be there..
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 08:56:13 AM
Er, I don't expect God will be there..
I thought according to your club he's everywhere? Like James Corden, only more so.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Anchorman on August 27, 2018, 09:01:33 AM
I don't expect God will be there..




Eh?
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Spud on August 27, 2018, 09:01:58 AM
I thought according to your club he's everywhere? Like James Corden, only more so.
1 Samuel 16:14  Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
Is the sense I meant
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Anchorman on August 27, 2018, 09:03:49 AM
1 Samuel 16:14  Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
Is the sense I meant


Wot....yu're comparing Saul to Corbyn....
No, I'm not going there, either.....
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: trippymonkey on August 27, 2018, 09:41:39 AM
It anyone's bothered - I have the official CD release of that great music & songs.
Lovely folkie songs.

Nick
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 27, 2018, 09:45:07 AM

Wot....yu're comparing Saul to Corbyn....
No, I'm not going there, either.....
I think you have a couple of posts, Spud's and Shaker's mixed, and indeed Shaker's reference to James Corden, as being about Corbyn?


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Corden

Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 09:54:02 AM
'However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before".'
That's the thing - you could never take an omniscient god to the pictures as they already know the ending to every film ever made or not yet made, ever. It would be a nightmare.

"He gets killed next, you know."

"Just shut up."
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Udayana on August 27, 2018, 09:57:18 AM
It anyone's bothered - I have the official CD release of that great music & songs.
Lovely folkie songs.

Nick
Yes, trippy, I have it too.

These are both great films and should be screened at every opportunity :)
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 27, 2018, 09:58:17 AM
Isn't it as a lot of 'horror'  based around the conflict between our Apollonian and Dionysian traits? The majority of the film is meant to put us on the side of the islanders, as Woodward is portrayed as a prig, and a hypocritical one, before the reveal is that the Dionysian unchecked leads to the murder. The reaction of those complaining is precisely mirroring Woodward.

As the Dean's comment makes clear, sex and connection to the earth are not antithetical to any god, unless you're a Manichee, rather they are part of what was created and attempting to cut them off entirely as evil is unbalanced. Too much religion stops discussiin, so points to Derby.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Anchorman on August 27, 2018, 09:58:52 AM
I think you have a couple of posts, Spud's and Shaker's mixed, and indeed Shaker's reference to James Corden, as being about Corbyn?


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Corden


   



Nah; it was supposed to be ironic.
There's nothing worse than this kind of stuff - not Spud - but the self righteous bleatings of  twits who don't recognise that the Church in question is doing no harm whatsoever...those whose faith seems wobbly do the most moaning!
We took our youth Fellowship to see "life of Brian" when that stushie arose.
My only complaint was that it wasn't as funny as "Holy Grail".
It reminds me of the numpties who cried blasphemy because of the Church's attitue to Hary Potter, fearing that it would corrupt the  young and lwad them to start chanting in Latin and wearing black.
About the only thing watching "The Wicker Man" would do is engender a propensity to rip up Granny's old basket chair and give the cat a bad dose of apprehension.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 27, 2018, 10:02:08 AM
That's the thing - you could never take an omniscient god to the pictures as they already know the ending to every film ever made or not yet made, ever. It would be a nightmare.

"He gets killed next, you know."

"Just shut up."

That also needs the omniscient god to be a bit of an annoying blabbermouth.


It would also need to not after surprise, when your family box of Malteasers goes flying into the air, say 'I knew you were going to do that!'


Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Rhiannon on August 27, 2018, 10:46:49 AM
That's the thing - you could never take an omniscient god to the pictures as they already know the ending to every film ever made or not yet made, ever. It would be a nightmare.

"He gets killed next, you know."

"Just shut up."

'They all did it.'
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Rhiannon on August 27, 2018, 10:54:30 AM
What do you call a man with a plank of wood on his head?

Edward.

What do you call a man with three planks of wood on his head?

Edward Woodward.

I'll shut up now.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 11:00:35 AM
'They all did it.'
"He was Keyser Soze all along."

"I'm going home."
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 12:06:27 PM
What do you call a man with a plank of wood on his head?

Edward.

What do you call a man with three planks of wood on his head?

Edward Woodward.

I'll shut up now.
Probably apocryphal but what the hell: as a very young and relatively unknown actor EW was being talked about by a fellow actor to Sir John Gielgud.

"What's his name again?" Gielgud asked.

"Edward Woodward" says the thesp.

"Good God" Gielgud replied. "He sounds like a fart in the bath."
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Rhiannon on August 27, 2018, 12:17:00 PM
Probably apocryphal but what the hell: as a very young and relatively unknown actor EW was being talked about by a fellow actor to Sir John Gielgud.

"What's his name again?" Gielgud asked.

"Edward Woodward" says the thesp.

"Good God" Gielgud replied. "He sounds like a fart in the bath."

My lovely Edward Woodward joke is lost on my kids, mostly on the basis of them having no idea who he is. I'm thankful of getting the opportunity to give it an airing.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Shaker on August 27, 2018, 12:27:22 PM
My lovely Edward Woodward joke is lost on my kids, mostly on the basis of them having no idea who he is. I'm thankful of getting the opportunity to give it an airing.
In which case try them on non-celebrity-based jokes.

What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff.

... with a spade on his head? Doug.

... without a spade on his head? Douglas.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Rhiannon on August 27, 2018, 12:40:43 PM
In which case try them on non-celebrity-based jokes.

What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff.

... with a spade on his head? Doug.

... without a spade on his head? Douglas.

You seriously think I haven't? I even told the the one about the man with no arms and legs who can play the piano.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 27, 2018, 12:55:08 PM
You seriously think I haven't? I even told the the one about the man with no arms and legs who can play the piano.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh

What do call a dear with no eyes? No idea

What do you call a dear with no eyes, and no legs? Still no idea


What do you call a dear with no eyes, no legs, and no genitalia? Still no fucking idea.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Humph Warden Bennett on August 27, 2018, 03:15:37 PM
'However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before".'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-45245229

IMHO the Dean is correct. God does not always save believers from martyrdom.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Steve H on August 27, 2018, 05:20:45 PM
What do you call a man with a plank of wood on his head?

Edward.

What do you call a man with three planks of wood on his head?

Edward Woodward.

I'll shut up now.
What do you call a man wearing two raincoats in a cemetery?
Max Bygraves.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Rhiannon on August 27, 2018, 05:47:37 PM
What do you call a man wearing two raincoats in a cemetery?
Max Bygraves.

My kids didn't get that one either.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Steve H on August 27, 2018, 05:54:05 PM
In which case try them on non-celebrity-based jokes.

What do you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff.

... with a spade on his head? Doug.

... without a spade on his head? Douglas.
Without aspade on his head and with no ears? Lugless Douglas.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on August 27, 2018, 08:12:36 PM
What do you call a man with a rabbit up his arse?

Warren
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Gordon on August 27, 2018, 08:31:06 PM
Ambling back in the general direction of the topic I'd like to add one welcome aspect of the late Mr Woodward's performance in 'The Wicker Man': at least he didn't sing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbsES_CLwzk

Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Dicky Underpants on August 28, 2018, 01:07:44 PM
Isn't it as a lot of 'horror'  based around the conflict between our Apollonian and Dionysian traits? The majority of the film is meant to put us on the side of the islanders, as Woodward is portrayed as a prig, and a hypocritical one, before the reveal is that the Dionysian unchecked leads to the murder. The reaction of those complaining is precisely mirroring Woodward.


That's a very convincing interpretation of it, and certainly one which the film itself implies. There's also a novel (by Robin Hardy and Anthony Schaffer - who wrote the film's screenplay). Hardy claims he started writing the novel before Schaffer got to work on the screenplay. In the novel, the copper is portrayed in a much more rounded way, not at all a prig, and a very liberal Christian. That would detract from the antithesis that the film suggests, but if I remember rightly the arguments in the book between Sg Neil Howie and Lord Summerisle are unsettlingly ambivalent.
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 28, 2018, 01:20:19 PM
Your mention of Shaffer who wrote a couple of my favourite films, triggerred thoughts of Absolution which has some similar themes. I did own the book of this at one stage and my possibly faulty memory had it that Hardy wrote that, but I cannot find any record of it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolution_(1978_film)
Title: Re: The Cathedral and the Wicker Man
Post by: jeremyp on August 28, 2018, 07:12:12 PM
I thought the Wicker Man was a bit tedious apart from Britt Eckland's naked dancing routine.

Then I found out that, not only did they use a body double but that they did it without asking her and she was really quite upset about that bit.