Tags
1990's, Casper Van Dien, Christina Ricci, Christopher Walken, Horror, Ian McDiarmid, Jeffrey Jones, Johnny Depp, Marc Pickering, Michael Gambon, Michael Gough, Miranda Richardson, Richard Griffiths, Sleepy Hollow, Tim Burton
Film Title
Sleepy Hollow
Director
Tim Burton
Starring
- Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane
- Christina Ricci as Katrina Van Tassel
- Miranda Richardson as Lady Van Tassel
- Marc Pickering as Young Masbath
- Michael Gambon as Baltus Van Tassel
- Casper Van Dien as Brom Van Brunt
- Jeffrey Jones as Reverend Steenwyck
- Richard Griffiths as Magistrate Philipse
- Ian McDiarmid as Dr. Lancaster
- Michael Gough as Notary Hardenbrook
- Christopher Walken as the Hessian Horseman
Chilling, blood-soaked and visually ravishing, Tim Burton’s take on Washington Irving’s classic story is a creepy tale of murder and the supernatural with nods to Hammer Horror. Bolstered by a strong cast and a striking colour palette, Sleepy Hollow is a must for old-fashioned horror fans.
Ichabod Crane is an awkward, eccentric and unorthodox policeman in 1799 New York. His methods, such as autopsies and checking for fingerprints are criticised by those around him as they are peculiar and deemed unimportant. Ichabod is also plagued by his blurred memories of a past trauma involving his mother which he begins to piece together. He is given the task of uncovering the murderer in a small remote town known as Sleepy Hollow. Four people have been murdered in a short space of time, each of the victims was decapitated and their head was not found. Arriving in the dour town, Ichabod meets with the town elders; Baltus Van Tassel, the most respected and richest citizen, solemn Reverend Steenwyck, nervy Magistrate Philipse, quiet Dr. Lancaster and menacing Notary Hardenbrook. While Ichabod believes that the murderer is a man, the elders have a very different idea. They believe the carnage is the work of the Headless Horseman, a former mercenary in the war who delighted in chopping off the heads of his victims. The Horseman would eventually befall the same fate at the hands of soldiers. The elders are convinced that the Horseman has returned for revenge. Initially very skeptical and trying to think logically about what killed the victims, Ichabod begins to understand this story after his own encounter with the vengeful spirit. Spooked but still determined, Ichabod attempts to unravel the mystery with the help of Katrina, the romantic and enigmatic daughter of Baltus and Masbath, a recently orphaned boy who sees Ichabod as a surrogate father. Gothic chills and bloodshed follow as the mystery deepens into the realms of the supernatural.
From the opening frames of fog and carnage, we are transported into the gothic world of Tim Burton, who is clearly having a ball with the source material. Burton infuses Sleepy Hollow with an unnerving atmosphere of fear and mystery by utilising shadow and slow-building suspense.He respectfully tips his hat to Hammer Horror with scenes such as the eerily misty woods, a mysterious person clad in a cloak who glides through the woods one night and the wise crone who dwells in the cave, whilst also giving a darkly humorous and sly edge to proceedings. Visuals in Sleepy Hollow are second to none, with the looming houses of the town casting an ominous atmosphere and the gnarled Tree of the Dead a particularly terrifying sight to behold. Sleepy Hollow may be gory in many scenes as crimson and scarlet fill the screen, but at least it has a gripping story to keep it from falling into a full on gore fest. Danny Elfman provides a haunting and spellbinding score of choir chanting, uneasy strings and dreamlike percussion that perfectly sets the mood of impending terror that awaits Ichabod upon his arrival in the eponymous town.
Johnny Depp heads the impressive cast as the nervy and free-thinking Ichabod. He conveys fear, skepticism and radical thinking whilst giving us some darkly funny moments when Ichabod’s modern techniques are questioned by old-fashioned values. Christina Ricci is luminously enigmatic and dreamlike as Katrina, whose secretive behaviour and beauty soon cause her to become the object of Ichabod’s affections whilst aiding him in his unearthing of the sinister legend. Miranda Richardson makes for a mysterious character with her evasive presence and strange smiles every so often that slip from behind her image as a model wife. Marc Pickering conveys maturity and courage as Masbath, who helps Ichabod and develops and deep father-son bond with him. In supporting roles as the village elders;Michael Gambon, Jeffrey Jones, Ian McDiarmid and Michael Gough are respectable and intelligent. Casper Van Dien is well suited to the macho character of Brom, a potential suitor to Katrina who begins to feel threatened by the presence of Ichabod. And not forgetting Christopher Walken, who portrays the Horseman in flashback and adds a terrifying intensity and menace to the role.
A spellbinding, eerie and visually stunning horror film, Sleepy Hollow is both an affectionate throwback to old horror movies and a suspenseful thrill ride of mystery and danger, crafted with eccentric care by Tim Burton.
Al said:
I forgot what an all star cast this was. I need to watch it again. I enjoy it each time I watch
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vinnieh said:
It certainly is an impressive cast, it’s one of those films that really stays in your mind after watching it.
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Al said:
It does, and as usual, Christopher Walken is excellent.
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vinnieh said:
He was the perfect choice to play the Horseman.
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Al said:
Yes he was
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Paul Bowler said:
Sleepy Hollow is one of my favourite Tim Burton films, its so eerie and spooky, with a great story and terrific cast. A great film to watch on Halloween 😀
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Paul, it’s one of my favourite films by Tim Burton. I always tend to watch it around Halloween time.
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Paul Bowler said:
So do I, its such a wonderfully spooky story. Always enjoy watching Sleepy Hollow 😀
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vinnieh said:
Yeah very spooky, the music and cinematography definitely add to this.
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cindybruchman said:
There were parts of the film I liked–the performance by Depp as the scaredy-cat, and Walken as the sharp tooth Hessian. The creepy set, the witches, all the things that bump in the night, Tim’s trees–nice touches. I wasn’t the least bit impressed with Ricci’s performance, though. I thought she was awkward and silly and no chemistry with Depp. Maybe because of her ‘Tuesday’ past, to see her blonde and falling out all over (the mom, too) was distracting and corny. Knowing all of this, I have watched it a few times because of the great production set.
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vinnieh said:
I can understand what you mean about Ricci, it certainly is a different role for her.
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Parlor of Horror said:
I agree Vinnieh, I thought this was an awesome film. For some reason a lot of horror fans didn’t care for it. Walken was fantastic as the Hessian Mercenary and Depp played the character of Ichabod wonderfully. I liked Ricci’s performance and the Victorian dress of the time was appropriate for the film (it was even that way in the Disney cartoon version). Of course Burton brought his unique visuals to the look and feel of the film. I think this was his pinnacle in set designs and atmosphere. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, totally agree about the authentic costume design.
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Alex Withrow (@shiftingPersona) said:
Damn fine review here. I agree, Sleepy Hollow is a more than worthy throwback. As it stands now, it’s the last solid Depp/Burton collab, to me, anyway.
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vinnieh said:
I enjoy seeing all the references to old horror movies and the sly humour in it.
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Peter B said:
This one is a classic. A totally uncompromising film. Along with The Nightmare Before Christmas I watch this every Halloween. It’s the best-looking Burton movie (which is saying something) and it’s truly scary and fun. When that witch becomes possessed, and her face morphs into something horrible, it reminds me of Large Marge in Burton’s first film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Only Depp would agree to take on a staring role where he uses a child as a human shield. And there aren’t many others who would be willing to show the extreme vulnerability he shows in this movie as he romances Katrina, then becomes afraid that she is playing him.
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vinnieh said:
Really appreciate the comment.
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Cavershamragu said:
I remember enjoying this very much at the time, especially as it seemed – visually at least – to be an hommage to films of Mario Bava and Hammer studios of which i am a great fan – thanks vinnieh 🙂
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vinnieh said:
It is such a great film and the little homages really give it a creepy edge.
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sati said:
Glad you liked this one! It’s still my favorite movie from Burton and one of the most gorgeous looking films I’ve ever seen. A shame Burton hasn’t made movie this good in about a decade.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, it really is such a visually arresting picture.
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J. Luke Folk said:
I’ve caught bits of this on TV, and thought it looked good, visually. My wife is a big fan, but she likes a lot of Tim Burtons output. I’m not a Burton man, myself, but I’ve been planning on watching this for years. Gotta check it out soon.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I definitely recommend it even if you’re not the biggest fan of Tim Burton.
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Natasha said:
Great post! I really like Depp 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Yeah he played a really good part in this movie.
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thycriticman said:
I loved this! Great reminder that I need to watch it again sometime soon!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, great movie to watch in the build up to Halloween.
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jennypugh said:
One of my favourite films! I think Christina and Johnny’s accents are brilliant, and I’m a bit fan of Miranda Richardson (ever since I saw her in Blackadder when I was young!). I haven’t seen any of the series yet, but the film is simply fantastic.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for commenting, Depp and Ricci really do work together well in this one. I agree about Miranda Richardson, she’s such a good actress.
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