The 10 best debut movies of the 1970s
An extraordinary decade for first-time directors.

‘The Wicker Man’ is a 1973 British folk horror film directed by Robin Hardy and written by Anthony Shaffer, based on David Pinner’s 1967 novel ‘Ritual’. Widely regarded as one of the greatest British horror films ever made, it stars Edward Woodward as Sergeant Neil Howie, a devout Christian police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl on the remote Scottish island of Summerisle. As Howie uncovers the islanders’ pagan beliefs and mysterious rituals, he becomes entangled in one of cinema’s most unforgettable finales. Initially receiving only a limited release, ‘The Wicker Man’ grew into a cult classic and is now considered a cornerstone of the folk horror genre, influencing countless filmmakers and inspiring a 2006 remake starring Nicolas Cage.
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