But with whispers of a headless horseman
(Christopher Walken) refusing to desist, it isn't until Crane himself
witnesses the horseman's execution of Sleepy Hollow's magistrate that
he begins to believe in vengeful ghosts of the supernatural world.
Piecing the puzzle together Crane analyzes the genealogy and the roles
of the town's officials, deducing the horseman's motive to that of
killing off a responsible lineage, starting with the Van Garretts.
But when Crane stumbles upon an old witch in the woods who leads him
to the horseman's final resting place, it is there that Crane discovers
the horseman's skull to be missing. Understanding that the horseman
is in search of his skull, and under the control of whoever possesses
it, Crane sets out to unveil the conspiracy as one by one, people
continue to die in Sleepy Hollow.
With only the help of young Masbath (Marc Pickering)
can Crane convince the town, and himself, of the truth before its
too late? Moreover, is his beloved white witch, Katrina involved?
Or, is her eerily indifferent stepmother, Lady Van Tassel (Miranda
Richardson), somehow involved? With time and a tortuous past working
against the novice gumshoe, Constable Crane must crack the case before
the town of Sleepy Hollow is doomed forever.
"Sleepy Hollow" is simply a grade-A
remake of the infamous tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman.
Only Tim Burton could have brought together such a macabre vision
and mix the horror with elements of fantasy and comedy to make the
movie an altogether enjoyable delight. The movie is a feast for one's
eyes, with gory scenes dulled down by comic relief, a sharp dialogue
encompassing old-fashioned accents, worn down houses that have all
of Sleepy Hollow looking like a ghost town, and mysterious fog that
creeps in and blankets the grounds and skies. "Sleepy Hollow" takes
special effects and focuses them on the dark side, yet exposes the
paradoxical opposite with brief moments of laughter, flirtatious courting,
and comic relief in other forms. Nevertheless "Sleepy Hollow" has
Burton's name written all over the film, from the visual production,
to a plot that includes the fantastic, the make-believe, and the realistic.
With an Edgar-Allen Poe approach, Burton brings "Sleepy Hollow" to
life and then to death again in a way that, while gruesome, prevents
you from turning your head to miss the action.
Also in on the action of "Sleepy Hollow"
was the legendary Francis Ford Coppola. With Burton and Coppola pairing
together, the masterminds turn a legendary tale into a nefarious nightmare
that is horrifying, yet intriguing all the same. Sure there are moments
that may seem a little cheesy, particularly the horseman's reattachment
of his head to his body, but it is precisely these moments that make
the film a Burton creation, and the audience simply accepts it for
what it is.
Potentially the film could have had
a true horror flick feel, but Burton spins the perspective and gives
you the story of "Sleepy Hollow" from the perspective of a child's
fairy tale. In truth, it allows adult audiences to be fascinated again
by the very notions they long ago abandoned when refusing to believe
in ancient ghost stories. Moreover, Burton's approach allows a child
to watch the film (though momentary censorship may be required) and
be horrified and delighted all the same.
The original score and soundtrack
was brilliantly in tune with the tone and setting of the film. Dark
music exudes in the background, building suspense for acutely timed
moments of action and surprise. Among some of the best scenes are
those of the headless horseman's wrath. Although Christopher Walken
did a credible job playing the horseman (with the head still attached),
again, his portrayal was borderline cheesy, in an attempt to soften
the horror for the children, and make the film more fairytale than
true horror.
Nevertheless "Sleepy Hollow" is a
perfect rent for the upcoming nights when thoughts of ghosts and ghouls
surround one's mind. As Halloween approaches, "Sleepy Hollow" is in
perfect tune with the mood and the content of the spooky holiday and
all its fairytale haunting that will send shivers down your spine
and make "your head roll".
Main Characters:
Johnny Depp plays the innovative scientist,
eccentric hero with a sensitive stomach, Constable Ichabod Crane.
Christina
Ricci plays Katrina Anne Van Tassel, the bewitching Dutch girl
whose white magic and beauty enrapture Ichabod Crane.
Michael Gambon plays Baltus Van Tassel,
possible suspect, host to Ichabod Crane, head counselor of Sleepy
Hollow, and father of Katrina Van Tassel.
Miranda Richardson plays Lady Van
Tassel (and the crone in the woods), whose devilish beauty plays an
intricate role in the headless horseman case.
Mark Pickering plays Young Masbath,
estranged child to the late Sir Masbath and sole servant to Constable
Crane.
Christopher
Walken plays the Hessian (headless) Horseman, the headless horror
that rides by night seeking vengeance on the perpetrators who have
stolen his head from his grave.
