The point of Howie (Woodwards character in the original) is that, despite being obviously insensitive and unlikeable, he has a definite morality, which is what leads him to the Wicker Man. One of the questions the films masterfully thoughtful plot asks us is, is Howie's morality reprehensible? The ending asks us to reconsider the glee we feel earlier on when the islanders one-up Howie. It's a film which takes a hard relativist look at clashes of fundamental, opposing, illogical worldviews: the residents of Summerisle and their fictional (but masterfully researched) religion are as close to 'fundamentalist' paganism as you can get. The film masterfully depicts both the positive and negative sides of the islanders religion and makes them human, sympathetic characters. It's a very clever film.
The remake is literally Nicholas Cage running round a forest shouting and fighting bees and amish chicks for two hours then getting set on fire. That is as deep as you get.
