Saturday, May 26, 2012

The Once Over Twice: Sleepy Hollow



(1999) Directed by Tim Burton; Written by Andrew Kevin Walker; Based on the story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving; Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson and Christopher Walken; Available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Rating: ****

When I learned that Page at the wonderfully nostalgic blog MyLove of Old Hollywood was hosting this first-ever Horseathon, I jumped at the chance to participate (Many thanks to Page for graciously allowing me to join the festivities!).  It didn’t take long for me to decide that my only choice would be Tim Burton’s retelling of Washington Irving’s classic tale about the Headless Horseman. 


Tim Burton has received a bad rap lately.  It’s almost become fashionable to bash Burton for his predictable casting decisions, and recycling the same tired themes and visuals over and over (case in point, the abysmal Alice in Wonderland).  Dwelling on his most recent efforts, however, has made it easy to forget that he created some of the most consistently distinctive and deliciously idiosyncratic mainstream Hollywood films of the 80s and 90s (Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood).  By now, it’s become something of a cliché to expect Johnny Depp to appear in a Tim Burton movie, but when Sleepy Hollow was released in 1999, it had only been their third collaboration.


Sleepy Hollow was based very loosely on Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”  It’s clear that Burton and screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker intended to utilize the source material as a springboard rather than a template.  Johnny Depp hardly matches Irving’s original description of Ichabod Crane as a tall, gangly schoolmaster (refer to the Disney animated version for a more faithful interpretation).  Likewise, Crane’s profession has been revised from teacher to an eccentric police inspector who’s afraid of his own shadow.  Irving’s simple ghost story of dubious veracity (according to the original tale’s narrator) has been transformed to a full-blown mystery with supernatural overtones.  In Burton’s insightful DVD commentary he described his movie as a “Scooby Doo mystery.”


Depp strikes the right notes as consummate skeptic Crane.  He’s tasked by an imposing New York burgomaster (in a cameo by the incomparable Christopher Lee*) to investigate a series of strange murders in the rural town of Sleepy Hollow.  He tries to solve the mystery with dispassionate objectivity and a scientific eye, although his timid nature keeps getting the better of him.  Depp adds some amusing comic flourishes, including an unfortunate tendency to faint and awkwardness on his trusty steed Gunpowder**, to the otherwise somber proceedings.  As he gets closer to the answers, he’s forced to reassess his strict adherence to reason, and accept that rumors of a spectral horseman are more than just delusions.

* Fun fact: Although Christopher Lee and Michael Gough (as Notary Hardenbrook) never shared any screen time in Sleepy Hollow, it served as a reunion of sorts for the two actors, who worked together on Hammer’s The Horror of Dracula 41 years earlier.

** Fun fact number two: In an interesting side story, the real-life horse that portrayed Crane’s horse Gunpowder (real name Goldeneye) was supposed to be euthanized, but Depp decidedto adopt it.


Christopher Walken has a commanding presence as the Headless Horseman, a Hessian soldier who met a nasty demise but refuses to stay dead.  Except for a few well-placed shouts, Walken never utters a word but communicates through facial expressions and movement.  His maniacal appearance, augmented by pasty complexion, wild hair and sharp teeth, completes the portrait of a horseman straight out of hell.  Burton likened Walken’s performance to a silent film star, which seems to be a fair comparison.  The Horseman’s face does bear at least a passing resemblance to Lon Chaney in the famous lost silent flick London After Midnight.  It’s a testament to Walken’s acting ability that he manages to pull off the illusion of confidence on horseback, despite being completely inexperienced with riding prior to this film.  He brings some nice touches to what could have been a one-note performance by less talented performers.  When he’s not mercilessly chopping off heads, he has a surprisingly soft spot for his trusty horse (proving, perhaps, that he couldn’t be all bad).


Sleepy Hollow proudly wears its influences on its sleeve.  Burton consciously created a loving homage to the classic horror films of yesteryear, from the casting of Christopher Lee to the many touches that have become synonymous with Hammer films: splashes of blood, gothic melodrama and heaving bosoms.  Burton also acknowledged how he was influenced by other classic horror films, such as the 1931 Frankenstein (note the climactic showdown in the windmill), Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, and Roger Corman’s The Pit and the Pendulum.  Danny Elfman’s dramatic score, a throwback to decades past, complements the darkly romantic atmosphere of the film.  The cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki sets the gothic tone perfectly, with mostly muted grays and browns, contrasted by vivid splashes of blood red.


Speaking of blood, the top notch practical effects work by Kevin Yagher deserve special mention.  I can’t recall another movie where severed heads looked so lifelike (take that as you will).  Reportedly, the fake heads looked so good that they disturbed several of the actors whose characters fell victim to the Horseman, except for Michael Gambon (as Baltus Van Tassel), who once commented that he wanted to keep his head and send it off on auditions.


Sleepy Hollow is a moody, atmospheric take on a classic Halloween tale that’s also an ideal match for Tim Burton’s gothic sensibilities.  If you can get past the fact that it’s not an accurate retelling of Irving’s original story you’ll have a good time.  It achieves a rare balance between horrifying and fun, and pays respect to its numerous influences while never losing sight of its own identity.

17 comments:

  1. Great review with lots of interesting background info. I love fun facts!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  2. Really enjoyed your review! This film, along with ED WOOD, are far and away my favorite Tim Burton movies. You did a nice job delineating this film's strengths and its many influences.

    One of the best things about SLEEPY HOLLOW, besides its amazing atmosphere and production design, is the wonderful supporting cast of quality British thespians (and let's not forget, Casper Van Dien ;)

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    1. Thanks, Jeff! Ed Wood is my favorite Tim Burton movie, but I have a lot of affection for this one.

      I completely agree with your comments about the supporting cast. I was going to say more about them, but I decided to cut this from my review due to space (and mostly time) considerations, but they all deserve a special mention!

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  3. Really enjoyed your review! This movie, along with ED WOOD, are far and away my favorite Tim Burton flicks. You did a nice job delineating the film's many strengths and influences.

    One of the best things about SLEEPY HOLLOW, besides its amazing atmosphere and production design, is the great supporting cast of quality British thespians...and of course, Casper Van Dien.

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  4. You've convinced me that I must give this film a shot. However, I will wait until Hallowe'en.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! And I agree... Halloween is the optimal time for enjoying this flick.

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  5. Barry,
    I'm glad you touched on the conversations recently regarding Burton's work. I've read a few scathing articles over the past week and yes I've seen Dark Shadows.

    Whenever someone mentions Burton I always recommend Beetle Juice, Sleepy Hallow, Ed Wood, Batman and of course Edward Scissorhands. It's frustrating that given his recent turn to the mediocre script that people forget his fantastic work. Besides, what producer hasn't gone through off periods? Even Burton's 'bad' films are still entertaining and visually appealing.

    Now on to your review. Thanks, first off for mentioning Danny Elfman. I agree with your sentiments.

    Walkman always kicks ass when he's playing the villain and his performance was just one of many outstanding things about this film. I love that you brought up comparisons to certain classic horror films that I would have never thought of.

    This was such an entertaining and thoughtful review then the extra trivia on the horse etc was a nice bonus. Even if I weren't a Burton fan I would still be curious about seeing Sleepy Hollow after your review.

    Thanks again Barry, for participating in my Horseathon. I'm truly honored.
    Page

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  6. ...And thank you, Page! I was thrilled to participate along with such esteemed company.

    It was a lot of fun researching this movie, and reading the original story for comparison. I have a soft spot for Hammer and 80s/90s Tim Burton, so it wasn't too hard choosing this one.

    Looking forward to your next blogathan, whatever it might be! ;)

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  7. I understand why critics have come to bash Tim Burton because the content of his films can be quite pedestrian What K-12 required reading is he going to turn into a movie next? The Raven? Oh, wait. He kind of did that in Vincent. Anyway, I usually overlook that issue because I consider Burton to be one of the few auteurs who make big-budget Hollywood movies. As you mentioned, his work has been idiosyncratic and distinctive, and I credit that to his unique aesthetic, which--after I saw his big LACMA exhibit--I discovered had been brewing in his head since his youth. Thanks for writing about this movie because I perhaps haven't watched it since it was in the theaters, and now I've got to view it again!

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    1. Thanks for reading Joseph! I completely agree with your comments. Let's hope he finds his footing again, soon ... And I would love to have seen that LACMA exhibit. That's what I get for being an ex-Los Angelino!

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  8. I can’t recall another movie where severed heads looked so lifelike (take that as you will).

    My head is telling me I need to avoid this one -- but my gut says I'll look for it the next time 'round. The fact that it has Christopher Lee, not to mention the Corman and Bava homages is a strong selling point.

    Great review, Barry!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Ivan! Sleepy Hollow is well worth checking out, although I'm biased since Burton is one of my favorite modern directors. ...And Christopher Lee has the magical power to enhance any movie!

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  9. Thanks for choosing to review my favorite Tim Burton film! This one stands out especially in my mind for it's wonderfully melodramatic gothic coloring...it almost plays like a black & white piece...except for that shocking, fabulous red! Absolutely gorgeous! Not long after this film was released I caught a daytime cooking show appearance by Christopher Walken, who was very entertaining as he confessed not only that he was inexperienced with horses but quite terrified of them! He was very funny and absolutely delightful. I too was thrilled to see the incomparable Christopher Lee in this film. Having grown up watching midnight Hammer films, Mr. Lee is an icon. Depp, Christina Ricci and Casper Van Dien all gave strong, enjoyable performances as well. Perhaps you know that the Horseman's stunt work was done by martial artist Ray Park, who also performed as Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. I met Park the summer after Sleepy Hollow's release and listened to him speak entertainingly about his experiences and especially working to choreograph the bridge scene with Casper Van Dien, who I believe sustained an injury though I can't remember just what. It sounded like the cast had a great deal of fun together!

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  10. Thanks, Lynne! I really enjoyed writing about this film, which easily falls within my top five favorite Tim Burton flicks.

    I agree with all of your comments about the fine acting work by all involved. Apparently during the filming of the bridge scene, Casper Van Dien broke one of his fingers, but he continued with the scene anyway. That's dedication!

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  11. I didn't see this until several years after it came out. It just didn't hold much interest for me. When I finally did watch it I was pleasantly surprised. While I wouldn't put it near the top of Burton's movies, it definitely was better than average.

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  12. Thanks for stopping by, Chip! This was a fun movie. Too bad Burton's latest efforts haven't been nearly as interesting. Looking forward to Frankenweenie, though. I just hope it doesn't disappoint.

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