Wicker Man Trilogy
The sons of late director Robin Hardy have completed his trilogy with the film Wrath of the Gods
The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy's sons, Justin and Dominic, have completed their father's film trilogy. According to Dominic, they found a script for the final film, Wrath of the Gods, in a long-lost family archive.
Background
The archive was discovered by the person who bought Justin's old family home, who found six sacks of letters, scripts, and other material pertaining to Robin Hardy and The Wicker Man in the attic. The discovery included papers, scripts, and storyboards, which shed light on the long shadow cast by The Wicker Man. The film holds a unique place in British cinema history, having been shot at a time when the UK industry was in crisis.
Production
Wrath of the Gods premiered at the FrightFest horror festival in London. The film was shot in Shetland in the spring of 2025, with a cast that includes Francis Magee and Christiane Schaldemose, as well as local actors. The rest of the cast was found locally, with Lynsey Rendall playing Francis's screen wife Maeve, and John Haswell playing the Rev Knox.
Release
The film's release has been overshadowed by the sudden death of Justin Hardy last month at the age of 61. Many of the Shetland cast and crew plan to attend the premiere of Wrath of the Gods at the horror festival FrightFest in London. The film is a testament to the late director, and its completion is a strange tribute to three members of the Hardy family. Wrath of The Gods completes Robin Hardy's Wicker trilogy and is dedicated to Justin's mother Caroline, who was a secret uncredited executive producer on the original 1973 film.
The BBC reports that the film's troubled production was mirrored by the troubles it brought Robin Hardy and his family. The film bankrupted the director, and he abandoned Justin's mother Caroline, leaving her with all his debts. The Hardy family's complicated relationship with the film is discussed in the 2024 book and documentary Children Of The Wicker Man. The film's reputation grew over time, with Christopher Lee considering it one of his finest films, featuring one of his finest performances. The film's off-kilter tone and genuinely disturbing climax made it a favourite for horror fans.
