We celebrate the 50th anniversary of this chilling British horror, which only gets better with age. When a schoolgirl is reported missing, Police Sergeant Neil Howie flies to the Hebridean island of Summerisle to investigate. This creates a stir among the islanders, who claim the officer is on a fool’s errand because the girl never existed. Although all evidence points to a wasted trip, Howie’s instincts lead him to persevere, despite his distaste for the pagan leanings of the locals. It’s only then that he discovers the horrible truth.

Some five decades after its first release, The Wicker Man continues to thrill. Its plausibility is what makes the film so unsettling, while its eccentricities and folklore roots provide a chilling delight.