Wicker Man Director's Sons Complete Film Trilogy

Filmmaker Robin Hardy's sons, Justin and Dominic, have fulfilled their late father's ambition to complete his folk horror film trilogy. The final installment, "Wrath of the Gods," premiered at the FrightFest horror festival in London, a dream realized after the unexpected discovery of a script and extensive archival material.

The discovery occurred when the new owner of Justin's old family home found six sacks of Robin Hardy's papers, scripts, and other materials related to "The Wicker Man" in the attic. Initially considered for disposal, the sons recognized the importance of the original source material. The archive included scripts and storyboards for the planned third film, shedding light on the enduring legacy of "The Wicker Man."

“

The person who bought Justin's old family home said they'd discovered six sacks of letters, scripts and other material pertaining to Robin Hardy and The Wicker Man in the attic.

Released in 1973, "The Wicker Man" holds a unique place in British cinema history. Its production was fraught with difficulties, including financial struggles and issues with competing edits and missing material. Despite being initially overlooked, the film's reputation grew over time, with many, including star Christopher Lee, considering it one of his finest works. Its unsettling tone and disturbing climax cemented its status as a cult favorite.

The film's troubled production also cast a long shadow over Robin Hardy's personal life, reportedly leading to his bankruptcy and estrangement from Justin's mother. The sons explore their complicated relationship with the film and their father in their 2024 book and documentary, "Children Of The Wicker Man." "Wrath of the Gods" draws inspiration from Viking and Shetland mythology, completing a cinematic journey that began over five decades ago.

“

Justin's first instinct was to burn them, but we couldn't ignore this original source material. Although we left it unopened for six months or more.