The Wicker Man (novel) for the film, but were cut to reduce running time and have not been seen since the loss of the film negative. For example, the character of Lord Summerisle's gillie is restored, and the reader learns of Howie's interest in bird-watching. The novelization reveals that Sergeant Neil Howie had originally attempted to become a priest, but that he was daunted by the prospect of preaching the minority faith of Episcopalianism in the staunchly Presbyterian Scottish Highlands. Howie's relationship with his fiancée, Mary Bannock, is explored in greater detail. Allan Brown writes that Howie's arguments with Lord Summerisle have more impact
The Wicker Man (film series) him to the island. The pagans imprison Howie in a wicker man and set it ablaze, burning him to death. "The Wicker Man" is generally very highly regarded by critics. Film magazine "Cinefantastique" described it as "The "Citizen Kane" of Horror Movies", and in 2004 the magazine "Total Film" named "The Wicker Man" the sixth greatest British film of all time. It also won the 1978 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. A scene from this film was #45 on Bravo's "100 Scariest Movie Moments". In 2006, Robin Hardy published a follow-up novel to "The Wicker Man" storyline entitled "Cowboys