I've only seen the original version and it is probably the creepiest, most sinister film I have ever seen.  Found the ending truly horrifying/terrifying and it took several days to get it out of my head!

I prefer the longer version with a little bit of back story at the start.  

Wow!...was originally shown in cinemas as a double bill with don't look now
How amazing that must of been

I love watching Mark Kermode talking about film - he's the best.

I think I prefer the longer version... there's more time to get immersed in the strangeness of it all which makes the ending so much more terrifying.

Like most i saw the original version first and was blown away by it, particularly by the final scene. These days i would definitely go for the longer version to enjoy every moment, delaying the pleasure as it were for that incredible ending.

Longer!  Longest!  it's such a great film!

17 and a half minutes?!

Simple, Director's cut.. it carries the intention and authority of the director without all of the guff and fluff of 'lost' scenes!

I've only seen the US cut of The Wicker Man, which I really love.  It's slow, but I don't mind that.  One of the creepiest movies to take place largely in broad daylight.  And while that may not be Britt Ekland's bottom, it's a bottom that is certainly worth looking at.  PS - I always hated the narration in Blade Runner, even before I found out it was added against the filmmakers' wishes.

Mr Beast and Paul Logan get millions of views yet this just hundreds 😞 shocking, love this movie and Kernode!

I love Gently Johnny which was new to the extended version, but felt that all the mainland scenes added in the extended DVD ruined the claustrophobia of the island setting. From the sound of it, this version may be the best if both as I hear it keeps the former but removes the latter.

I think the longer version makes more sense, story-wise, builds tension better etc. but it does also have some self indulgient moments, like the bit with the snails humping ...

I think the shorter chinematic release is livable with, if I hadn't seen the long version I don't think I'd have missed too much.

Brilliant film either way, seductively disturbing. Genuinely don't know whether I feel more sorry for Howie or the sacrificial animals at the end ...

Wicker man and don't look now good lineup

I think the shorter the film is, the more it detracts from the shock ending. Even if there are several scenes that are less than stellar, the build-up and investment in Woodward's character is crucial. The more prolonged that ending is, the more horrific it becomes.

I was thinking this would be five minutes of him berating the dreadful 2006 Nicholas cage remake

I love the longest cut. I think the opening scene where he tells a fellow copper, McTaggart(?) to take down "Jesus Saves" graffiti from a wall is crucial. Who is he to decide where and when that message should be broadcast? To me it's his undoing in the end.

Glad to see that your box for the dvd came unglued rapidly and it wasn’t just mine! 😜

I like the short wicker man that was released in cinemas originally. It is good as it is more ambiguous and doesn't explain itself.

The Studio Canal Directors cut blew my mind when I saw it.  Having been a massive fan of the shorter version for years I just couldn't believe some key points of the back story were missing (the blank wall in the pub where the previous harvest photo hung).  I'm with Christopher Lee on this...a complete travesty that the original film is now under the M3!!