Sons of The Wicker Man: Growing up in its shadow

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British filmmaker Justin Hardy, who died last month in July 2026, was a young boy when his father, the director Robin Hardy, began an obsessive quest to make The Wicker Man. Now the horror film is regarded as a masterpiece and beloved by fans across the world, but when it was first released in 1973, it was a major flop. The fallout for the Hardy family was painful, tearing them apart. It would take many decades, a bundle of lost letters and another burning effigy for Justin and his brother Dominic to finally come to terms with the past – and this iconic film. They shared their story with Asya Fouks in 2024. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Maryam Maruf Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Brothers Dominic and Justin Hardy stand side by side outdoors at dusk, watching an effigy engulfed in flames. The face the fire in quiet reflection, their attention fixed on the burning figure which glows orange against the darkening sky as sparks rise into the air. Credit: Robin Deane, Children of The Wicker Man archive)