Sleepy Hollow 1999
Tim Burton’s re-telling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has to be my favorite Tim Burton film to date. The film has an amazing look, some great acting, chills and even some moments of comedy that has become a trademark of Burton’s work.
The film stars Burton regular Johnny Depp, as Constable Ichabod Crane. Crane uses science and many self made implements to study the crimes of New York City before being sent to the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod comes to Sleepy Hollow with his bag of tools and sets about trying to find out who is the murderer. The problem is that the town’s people try and tell Ichabod that the killer is not man but instead a long dead Hessian soldier who rides an equally appalling Black horse. Even worse is that the Hessian rides headless. Christopher Walken plays the Headless Horseman and the look accomplished through the costuming is amazing.
We follow along as Ichabod Crane steps deep into the town’s history and the founders of the town. Ichabod tries to look at the connections of who’s being killed and why. There are great uses of today’s crime solving techniques being seen in their infancy in this film. The different tools that Ichabod uses are outlandish in their look and design but fit the movie perfectly.
Ichabod is not alone in his search for the murderer as he is later helped by the now Orphaned Young Masbeth whose father was killed by the horseman. The thing of intest is that at times young Masbeth seems to have more of a backbone then Ichabod. Ichabod at times is also helped by the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, played by Christina Ricci who has some infinity with Witchcraft.
The thing that I love most about this film is how Tim Burton puts so much detail into the look and feel of the film. Burton and company went as far as to build the set it in England being unable to find a town that fits their needs stateside. The set was actually built around a duck pond in England and thankfully this allowed Burton to design a set and look to the film that fit his vision. This vision turned into a visually stunning film that brings the viewer into the bleakness and despair that surrounds Sleepy Hollow in this perilous time.
The script gave us moments of laughter at some of the most engaging parts of the film and many of these came from moments involving Ichabod Crane. A great moment is watching this man of science who is willing to conduct an autopsy on a human getting covered with blood freaking out of a bug or mouse. However, in one instance this “freak out” leads to a moment of discovery as we learn their maybe witchcraft is involved in the middle of all of this mystery and mayhem that is impacting the town.
The mixture of religion and witchcraft is well done within the film even down to the point where Katrina Van Tassel draws a symbol upon the churches floor as the Horseman stalks outside trying to find away to get to his prey hidden upon the Holy ground.
The one thing I will say is that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been a child hood favorite of many a child, especially at Halloween. The thing is that this film has plenty of blood and gore that may make some parents feel a bit concerned about the film. There are even moments within the film that a child witnesses a bloody murder, or in Ichabod’s case brutal attacks on a parent. However, due to the way it’s presented I do not think there will be to much shock to a younger audience.
The thing that will really draw you into the film, other than the sets and costuming is Johnny Depp. Depp does an amazing job with his portrayal of Ichabod Crane, he so fits that nervous school teacher that is mentioned in the original fable. In this case you wonder at times if Ichabod is more of a mouse then a lion as he stumbles his way through the film. The thing is Ichabod shows great intelligence and reasoning as the constable. We also get to see his soft side as he falls for the young Katrina.
The movies cast as some other great actors such as Miranda Richardson playing the Lady Van Tassel, whom is Katrina’s mother. Michael Gambon who played Baltus Van Tassel will be recognized by many as the Current Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Jeffery Jones, another Burton favorite appears as Reverend Steenwyck and Casper Van Dien as Brom Van Brunt who sadly follows victim to the Horseman. Now for those, Horror Addicts with keen eyes, keep an eye out for some classic actors making cameo appearances. My only hints is see if you can figure out who is that City Official in New York advising to take the transfer to Sleepy Hollow. The opening seen sees an Academy Award winner from Ed Wood dying at the hands of the Horseman.
This is certainly a film that has stood up with time considering it was released back in 1999. The movie is still just as impactful for first time viewers and those of us fans looking to reconnect with the film. This is the one movie from this season that I would recommend over all others, as it is a MUST see.
The film stars Burton regular Johnny Depp, as Constable Ichabod Crane. Crane uses science and many self made implements to study the crimes of New York City before being sent to the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod comes to Sleepy Hollow with his bag of tools and sets about trying to find out who is the murderer. The problem is that the town’s people try and tell Ichabod that the killer is not man but instead a long dead Hessian soldier who rides an equally appalling Black horse. Even worse is that the Hessian rides headless. Christopher Walken plays the Headless Horseman and the look accomplished through the costuming is amazing.
We follow along as Ichabod Crane steps deep into the town’s history and the founders of the town. Ichabod tries to look at the connections of who’s being killed and why. There are great uses of today’s crime solving techniques being seen in their infancy in this film. The different tools that Ichabod uses are outlandish in their look and design but fit the movie perfectly.
Ichabod is not alone in his search for the murderer as he is later helped by the now Orphaned Young Masbeth whose father was killed by the horseman. The thing of intest is that at times young Masbeth seems to have more of a backbone then Ichabod. Ichabod at times is also helped by the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, played by Christina Ricci who has some infinity with Witchcraft.
The thing that I love most about this film is how Tim Burton puts so much detail into the look and feel of the film. Burton and company went as far as to build the set it in England being unable to find a town that fits their needs stateside. The set was actually built around a duck pond in England and thankfully this allowed Burton to design a set and look to the film that fit his vision. This vision turned into a visually stunning film that brings the viewer into the bleakness and despair that surrounds Sleepy Hollow in this perilous time.
The script gave us moments of laughter at some of the most engaging parts of the film and many of these came from moments involving Ichabod Crane. A great moment is watching this man of science who is willing to conduct an autopsy on a human getting covered with blood freaking out of a bug or mouse. However, in one instance this “freak out” leads to a moment of discovery as we learn their maybe witchcraft is involved in the middle of all of this mystery and mayhem that is impacting the town.
The mixture of religion and witchcraft is well done within the film even down to the point where Katrina Van Tassel draws a symbol upon the churches floor as the Horseman stalks outside trying to find away to get to his prey hidden upon the Holy ground.
The one thing I will say is that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been a child hood favorite of many a child, especially at Halloween. The thing is that this film has plenty of blood and gore that may make some parents feel a bit concerned about the film. There are even moments within the film that a child witnesses a bloody murder, or in Ichabod’s case brutal attacks on a parent. However, due to the way it’s presented I do not think there will be to much shock to a younger audience.
The thing that will really draw you into the film, other than the sets and costuming is Johnny Depp. Depp does an amazing job with his portrayal of Ichabod Crane, he so fits that nervous school teacher that is mentioned in the original fable. In this case you wonder at times if Ichabod is more of a mouse then a lion as he stumbles his way through the film. The thing is Ichabod shows great intelligence and reasoning as the constable. We also get to see his soft side as he falls for the young Katrina.
The movies cast as some other great actors such as Miranda Richardson playing the Lady Van Tassel, whom is Katrina’s mother. Michael Gambon who played Baltus Van Tassel will be recognized by many as the Current Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Jeffery Jones, another Burton favorite appears as Reverend Steenwyck and Casper Van Dien as Brom Van Brunt who sadly follows victim to the Horseman. Now for those, Horror Addicts with keen eyes, keep an eye out for some classic actors making cameo appearances. My only hints is see if you can figure out who is that City Official in New York advising to take the transfer to Sleepy Hollow. The opening seen sees an Academy Award winner from Ed Wood dying at the hands of the Horseman.
This is certainly a film that has stood up with time considering it was released back in 1999. The movie is still just as impactful for first time viewers and those of us fans looking to reconnect with the film. This is the one movie from this season that I would recommend over all others, as it is a MUST see.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Knightmist on -
Ohh, have I mentioned how much I LOVE THIS FILM???
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Permalink Reply by Carmilla DeLioncourt on -
great movie!
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Permalink Reply by Haunting Creations on -
AWESOME movie! I watch it every time I see it on cable. It's like a spider web that catches me every time!
I love the part where the rider get's his skull back. The animation of it re-fleshing is fantastic.
That and I just love the way Christina Ricci says, "Do you think me wicked?"
Sigh...
And a million other things about the movie. It's so well done!
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Permalink Reply by Knightmist on
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I didn't mention this in the review but the special effects where not computer generated. Burton did a fantastic job using stop motion primarily which to me looks much more fitting for the movie. I have to say I totally agree with you on that skull re-animation.
As for Christina Ricci, well dang she did look good in the period costumes in the film and to me shined in her role. I personally loved the way the Horseman got the one gentleman out of the church. All I can say is OUCH!
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Permalink Reply by Knightmist on
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I'm such a geek for this movie. Since writing the review I've watched the film 2 more times. LOL
Knightmist said:I didn't mention this in the review but the special effects where not computer generated. Burton did a fantastic job using stop motion primarily which to me looks much more fitting for the movie. I have to say I totally agree with you on that skull re-animation.
As for Christina Ricci, well dang she did look good in the period costumes in the film and to me shined in her role. I personally loved the way the Horseman got the one gentleman out of the church. All I can say is OUCH!
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