*Updated with additional US release details* As we reported recently, Studio Canal was able to track down an uncut print of The Wicker Man and will be releasing it later this year. Along with a limited theatrical release, the UK will be getting The Wicker Man Blu-ray edition in October and we now have US release details as well.

"Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cult classic that Cinefantastique called "the Citizen Kane of horror films" when The Wicker Man arrives on Blu-ray Disc for the first timeJanuary 7, 2014 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.  The Wicker Man will also be available on Digital HD, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View. Featuring an all-new, restored edition of director Robin Hardy's final cut, this spectacular Blu-ray also features brand new bonus content including a restoration comparison, an interview with Robin Hardy and two informative featurettes.  Winner of the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film,The Wicker Man has been described as "a movie that'll burn its way into your unconscious and give you nightmares for years" (BBC).  Arriving in a collectible package with brand new artwork, the Blu-ray will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.99.

When a young girl mysteriously vanishes, Police Sergeant Howie (Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But the seemingly quiet community is not as it appears, as the detective uncovers a secretive pagan society led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Lee). While the townsfolk tempt and threaten him with bizarre rituals and wanton lust, Howie must race to discover the truth behind the girl's disappearance before his clash with Lord Summerisle builds to a terrifying conclusion - one that has cemented this cult shocker as a modern horror masterpiece."

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES*

  • Interview with director Robin Hardy
  • "Restoration Comparison" featurette
  • "Worshipping The Wicker Man" featurette
  • "The Music of The Wicker Man" featurette

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Previously: Due to the fact that the movie originally screened as part of a double bill, the version that originally appeared in theaters was shorter than Hardy’s actual cut. While the extended footage has been seen in the past, the original negatives were lost. Here’s what Robin Hardy had to say about the discovery:

via Screen Daily: “StudioCanal contacted me last year in their search for the original materials that have been missing…. I’m very pleased to announce that StudioCanal have been able to find an actual print of The Wicker Man, which is based on my original cut working with Abraxas, the American distributors, all those years ago… They plan, and this is the exciting bit, to actually release it. This version has never been restored before, has never been shown in UK theatres before, has never been converted to Blu-ray before.”

The Wicker Man: The Final Cut was released in the UK on Blu-ray and DVD on October 14th. The Wicker Man Blu-ray is a three disc set, with the first disc including "The Final Cut" (HD), the UK theatrical Cut (HD) & the Director's Cut (HD but with seamless branching to extra scenes in SD only) & audio commentary for Director's Cut. The second disc includes supplemental feature and disc 2 contains the movie soundtrack.

For those that have not seen the 1973 horror cult classic, it was directed by Robin Hardy and stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland, and Ingrid Pitt:

“Cult horror classic in which a devout Christian policeman (Woodward) is summoned to a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a child. While there he uncovers a bizarre pagan cult, led by Lord Summerisle (Lee). As preparations for a sinister ritual celebration reach fever pitch, the policeman begins to realise what role the islanders intend him to play.”