On 3rd May 2025, Newton Stewart Cinema is hosting a very special event. The world premiere (limited) of the new Wicker Man documentary: “Return to Summerisle – Something about Sacrifice.”
This event will be the biggest event of the year in Newton Stewart and will be attended by cast and crew of the original film “The Wicker Man” 1973, which was filmed in the area and also premiered in the same cinema.
This new documentary, while filmed across 5 countries, was predominantly filmed around Dumfries and Galloway (including in the Newton Stewart cinema itself).
It follows the exploits of a mad Irish man and first-time filmmaker, Fergal O’Riordan, as he tries to capture the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of “The Wicker Man.” Struggling with a stubborn, headstrong film crew (his two nieces), he takes on the impossible odds of trying to create a film withno experience, no budget and unproven talent. Watch as the project spirals from “something to doduring Covid”.. to an all- consuming obsession that threatens to engulf his family, finances andsanity. Along the way he is forced to learn about the true nature of sacrifice.
Fergal O’ Riordan said
“In features, the Director is God, in documentary, God is the Director. I think the old Gods may have had a hand in this one!”
It features:
Lesley Mackie – Olivier award winning actress and singer who played cheeky schoolgirl Daisy in the movie and sang on the opening scene.
Gary Carpenter, the Associate Director of music on “The Wicker Man” 1973 and the Music Director on “Return to Summerisle.” He is professor at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Justin and Dominic Hardy – Sons of Robin Hardy, Director of “The Wicker Man.”
Jennifer Dolan (nee Martin) – who played Myrtle in the movie.
Fans of “The Wicker Man,” many of them in costume, will descend upon Newton Stewart for the premiere and a whole weekend of Wicker celebrations including a “Singalong a Wicker Man” evening and a “Mostly Ghostly” tour of one of the film locations, Anwoth Old Kirk and graveyard.
The weekend will culminate on Sunday 4th May at 7.15pm, when a 25 foot high Wicker Man, sculpted for the occasion by Girvan based Willow artist David T Powell, will be burned on the cliffs at Burrowhead Holiday Park, Isle of Whithorn, the same location as the burning in the original movie.
Fergal O’Riordan has involved fans, former stars and local people throughout his filming and the weekend will see the involvement of several local businesses. An After Premiere party, which will be attended by former stars and musicians of the original movie, is taking place in the award winning Vault Arts Centre in Newton Stewart. Local Printer, J & B Printing, have printed the Posters and multi award winning local business, Five Kingdoms Brewery, from the Isle of Whithorn are producing a new beer.
Stuart Mactier, from the brewery said ‘’Five Kingdoms was honoured to help celebrate
the release of the new documentary film. To mark the occasion, we have crafted a special one-off beer, brewed just steps from where the original cult classic was shot—a fitting tribute to the story, the setting, and its enduring legacy.”
Fans will be able to sample the new beer when it is launched at the Newton Stewart Cinema and the Vault Arts Centre when “Return to Summerisle” has it’s premiere.
