![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/10\/01\/78781367-12846343-Widely_regarded_as_one_of_the_greatest_British_films_ever_made_i-m-134_1702171815652.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWidely regarded as one of the greatest British films ever made, it is a beguiling and strange mix of horror, thriller and musical with one of the most memorable endings in cinematic history.<\/p>\n
Now, as The Wicker Man celebrates its 50th anniversary, superstar Britt Ekland, who played the mysterious female lead, has spoken of her pride at the film’s longevity.<\/p>\n
The plot is a sinister tale of a police officer lured to a remote island community, the story building to its unforgettable climax among picturesque locations in south-west Scotland.<\/p>\n
However, Ms Ekland, now 81, remains a little aggrieved at the famous dance scene for which a stripper acted as her body double.<\/p>\n
She said: ‘At the time I made some comments about how difficult the film was and it was interpreted that I have ill feelings towards it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as one of the greatest British films ever made, it is a beguiling and strange mix of horror, thriller and musical with one of the most memorable endings in cinematic history<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/10\/01\/78781371-12846343-Now_as_The_Wicker_Man_celebrates_its_50th_anniversary_superstar_-m-130_1702171730487.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Now, as The Wicker Man celebrates its 50th anniversary, superstar Britt Ekland, who played the mysterious female lead, has spoken of her pride at the film’s longevity<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/10\/01\/78781379-12846343-The_plot_is_a_sinister_tale_of_a_police_officer_lured_to_a_remot-m-133_1702171779771.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The plot is a sinister tale of a police officer lured to a remote island community, the story building to its unforgettable climax among picturesque locations in south-west Scotland. However, Ms Ekland, now 81, remains a little aggrieved at the famous dance scene for which a stripper acted as her body double<\/p>\n
‘The reality is that filming took place when I was young, alone and pregnant. It was a very harsh shoot and anyone who took part would say the same.<\/p>\n
‘We walked for hours and hours to get to remote cliffs for some scenes. However, time does change things and I am proud of the film as people are so fond of it.’<\/p>\n
Ms Ekland has enjoyed a glittering career which also saw her star in James Bond movie The Man With The Golden Gun the year after The Wicker Man was released.<\/p>\n
The film, which also starred horror icon Christopher Lee, hit cinemas on December 6, 1973, and has now been re-released for its 50-year anniversary. It retains the naked dance scene and Ms Ekland said: ‘I didn’t ask for a body double.<\/p>\n
‘I had no problem doing the dance naked but I did not want to have my bottom photographed.<\/p>\n
‘When I went to London on my day off they brought in a local stripper. I didn’t know anything about it.<\/p>\n
‘When I saw that part of the film I was shocked. Not only did she not look anything like me but her body did not look like mine. Her bottom was huge and it was embarrassing.<\/p>\n
‘At the time, no one had any belief in the film except Christopher Lee, who absolutely loved it. He always said it was the best thing he’d ever done.<\/p>\n
‘However, I saw the film this year for only the second time and I thought it was entertaining and intriguing.’<\/p>\n
She added of the movie’s conclusion: ‘It is truly shocking and that is the lure of the film. There are not a lot of films from that period which retain such a profile today. I am very happy to have been part of it.’<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2023\/12\/10\/01\/78781375-12846343-image-a-131_1702171762858.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The film, which also starred horror icon Christopher Lee, hit cinemas on December 6, 1973, and has now been re-released for its 50-year anniversary. It retains the naked dance scene and Ms Ekland said: ‘I didn’t ask for a body double (pictured 2019)<\/p>\n