The Wicker Man (soundtrack) Records release. This release includes "Gently Johnny" and the missing lines from "Willow Song." A sheet music album of the soundtrack is also available, published by Summerisle Songs. Titled "The Wicker Man Complete Piano Songbook" the book features all the songs and music from the film, arranged for piano, voice and guitar. A live performance of the soundtrack at the 30th annual Brosella Folk Festival in Brussels, on 8 July 2006, underlined the cult status of the film and its music. The organizers were looking for something to mark three decades of the festival and as such, for the final
The Wicker Man enjoyable piece of hokum, thoroughly well researched, performed and directed." "Variety" wrote that Anthony Shaffer's screenplay "for sheer imagination and near-terror, has seldom been equalled." Kevin Thomas of the "Los Angeles Times" called it "a witty work of the macabre" with "the splendid performances typical of British films." Janet Maslin of "The New York Times" was more negative, calling it "handsomely photographed" with "good performances," but "something of a howl" even though "it seems to have been made in all seriousness." "The Wicker Man" initially had moderate success and won first prize in the 1974 Festival of Fantasy and Science