The legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of America’s best-known folk tales. The story of meek schoolteacher Ichabod Crane, who is haunted by a mysterious headless horseman, is a staple of American literature. What better pairing for an update of one of America’s most beloved tales than with one of the world’s most beloved filmmakers, Tim Burton, and the (until recently) long underrated actor Johnny Depp? Tim Burton’s 1999 film, “Sleepy Hollow,” is a retelling of the classic legend with a revisionist’s takes on the character of Ichabod, now Constable Crane, a squeamish detective out to prove his theories on forensics in a town living in fear of a mysterious force that goes around randomly beheading its victims…

Penned by “Se7en” scribe, Andrew Kevin Walker, “Sleepy Hollow” plays out almost like a modern crime drama, only with better décor. It includes many analogies to problems that we as a society are dealing with in the present, including the problem of over-crowded prisons, police brutality, as well as the threat of new technology that may disrupt procedures that are entrenched in a society. The film makes many intelligent insights into its subject matter all the while weaving a terrific story and scarring the hell out of us in the process. The marriage of the material and the director was perfect; Burton’s love for the classic Hammer horror films he first saw as a young movie lover gave him more than enough inspiration to build his visions for the film upon.

The film is without question Burton’s most atmospheric yet. The stark, almost monochrome saturation of the images created by cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki lends to the feeling of death and despair that is so prevalent in the townspeople. The use of sets for many exterior shots and force perspective backgrounds gives the film a unique texture that would have been lost had it been shot conventionally. Danny Elfman’s work on the music for the film is impressive to say the least. It features all the hallmarks of a typical Elfman score, only grander and more ominous. And of course, who can forget Johnny Depp’s turn as Constable Ichabod Crane, a hero who seemed to have a fear of everything, except standing up for truth and justice.

The legend of Sleepy Hollow is an American classic, and in the amazing hands of Tim Burton, the film, “Sleepy Hollow,” became a cinematic classic and one of his best works as a filmmaker ever.

You can watch the trailers for Sleepy Hollow here. Also be sure to check out our Sleepy Hollow forum to discuss the film with other fans. For full cast and crew details, see here.
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Recommended Sleepy Hollow items in Amazon.com:
Sleepy Hollow DVD
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Sleepy Hollow: Music from the Motion Picture
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Sleepy Hollow: A Novelization (Includes the Classic Short Story)
Sleepy Hollow, Movie-Reprint Poster, 27x39