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Sleepy Hollow [HD DVD] [2000] [US Import]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The secret to "getting" Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow is appreciating that it's the film he's wanted to make his whole life. After the intimately expressive Edward Scissorhands, this is his most personal venture. Burton's Gothic style--apparent through all his work--stems from a childhood misspent watching the horror movies of Roger Corman, Hammer studios, and anything featuring his idol Vincent Price. For Sleepy Hollow Burton surrounded himself with his usual collaborators and friends; the production was almost entirely shot on location outside London to reunite him with key members of the crew he'd used a decade earlier in Batman, and also to capture the atmosphere of Hammer horror on its own turf.

Johnny Depp's Constable Ichabod Crane warmly emulates the mannerisms and enunciation of Peter Cushing. In a prologue scene Burton plays out a long-held fantasy by pitting Depp against Christopher Lee. And it is fantasy that categorises the film throughout, from the mythical fireside telling of the Hessian Horseman's origin (a mesmerising Christopher Walken), to the bright spots of colour saturating Crane's childhood dreams (featuring Burton's real-life love Lisa Marie). These moments literally shine out amid a meticulously crafted look for the film, which underwent a bleaching process to tone things down to an almost monochrome hue. The Scooby Doo-like whodunnit plot, concerning family lineage and petty vengeance, is naturally secondary to what Burton is aiming to achieve through photography and performance, which includes expressive cameos from Michael Gambon, Michael Gough, Jeffrey Jones, and Iain McDiarmid. Yet despite all these subtleties, it's also his best action movie: the swordplay betters anything from his earlier work, while the windmill escape and subsequent coach chase is truly breathtaking in choreography and execution. If you find a cheesy grin on your face for most of the film, you've "got" it. If not, see Hammer's Dracula at once! --Paul Tonks


Nowhere Near As Good As Some Reviewers Would Have You Think
Review date: 2008-09-19 Rating: 4 out of 10

This is the fourth collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton I have seen (the previous three being Sweeney Todd, the Corpse Bride and Edward Scissorhands) and I can say without an instance's doubt that it is easily the worst of the four. In fact, if it were not for Johnny Depp, then I would have stopped watching half an hour in to this poor excuse for a film.

Lets me quickly outline the plot. Constable Ichabod Crane (Depp) has been called to the town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate the unusual murders of certain town folk, where they have had their head cut clean from their body. The town widely believe that the murders are being carried out by a headless horseman, but Crane is doubtful and wants to investigate further.

Sound good? Trust me, the film's nowhere near that interesting. What I found really hard to get over was - what was this film meant to be exactly? The soundtrack would have you believe it's a scary horror - as would all the blood, headless corpses, skulls, torture weapons, y'know what I'm talking about, anything to build up atmosphere and suspense. But it fails, because this film just isn't scary, it isn't even gory (the blood looks ridiculously fake), in fact, I'd say it was Burton's aim to make us laugh, except there aren't even any jokes in the film. The special effects are just plain weird, and apart from Depp and Miranda Richardson the acting on whole is pretty dire. Christina Ricci may look the part but she cannot act, and the two child actors are just as dire (as is Lisa Marie as Ichabod's mother). It's surpirsing for a film to have so many badly acted parts, and I can only put this down to the fact that actors were chosen for appearence first, and acting skills second. Well, whatever the reason, one things for sure - whoever was in charge of the auditions seriously messed up.

Another problem of mine with 'Sleepy Hollow' is how hard it is to follow what the hell is going on. Ichabod Crane seemed to come to conclusions regarding the investigation as if from nowhere (Oh look, a chemical reaction, the head was cut off in a single blow. This women was pregnant, the murderer must be a mad-man (you don't say!). Oh look, a tree with decapitated heads stored inside - this must be a portal to hell). Whaaaat?! Does Burton really assume that his audience is too thick to realise how ridiculous this logic is?

I am really dissapointed in this film. It was nothing like what I had expected, and a huge let down compared to the quality of other Johnny Depp and Tim Burton films. Do not be led astray by all these 5 star reviews - watch this film if you really want to, just don't expect the greatest film in the world. Or anything close.

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Reviews


Classic!
Review date: 2007-09-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a classic film, and completely genius! I'm not going to go indepth on the story, but I'll talk about the High-Def aspects:

Visual: Sleepy Hollow is almost ten years old now, and as such it can't really compete with the latest blockbuster high-def releases but this is by no means a bad quality video! The picture is consistent and the atmosphere is enhanced by the desaturated look. Blacks are pitch black and colour rendition is good. Overall it's pretty good, there is some grain yes but this is minor and in my opinion adds to the antiquated feel of the film.

Audio: 5.1 DTS surround is available for the best possible sound short of uncompressed PCM. Overall, the audio is really very good and its hard to rate it badly!

Features: The commentary by Burton is pretty good, and the supplement looking into the legend of Sleepy Hollow is interesting, but really the film is much better than any of the extras.

TO NOTE: Firstly, Sleepy Hollow is REGIONLESS so it'll work in the UK no problems. Secondly, this is a Paramount Blu-Ray and since Paramount have recently stopped supporting Blu-Ray this is officially out of print and will therefore become a collectors item. Get one while you can! Hope this helps.

Great classic brought to life on the screen: creepy ghost story, but also an oldschool crime-solving story - top notch
Review date: 2007-09-09 Rating: 10 out of 10



What an excellent film this is!!!

The setting is superb, scenery and environment are absolutely beautiful,the camerawork is amazing.


Johnny Depp is playing a cowardly detective set to solve some brutal murders in the village of Sleepy Hollow. It turns out to be a really creepy ghost story, but also an oldschool crime-solving story. He portraits his characters with his very own sloppiness, fun and superb acting skills. Miranda Richardson in a pivotal role was equally superb.


Such movies are rare in these days, but Burton has really succeeded in this.Top notch
through out.



Brillant !!
Review date: 2007-05-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

I saw this film 3 years ago and it was one of my favourite film's to date, the film aired last night and my wife before the film said she proberly won't like this film but how wrong was she, after the film she asked me to buy her the DVD as she loved it so much she said it was BRILLENT. Burton has really done a great job on this film and giving it a bit of hammer horror style, all the actors were excellent and the plot was outstanding, if your looking for a film that has a ghost story with a bit of love, humour and a scare then this film is for you!!!

Great classic brought to life on the screen: creepy ghost story, but also an oldschool crime-solving story - top notch
Review date: 2007-01-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

What an excellent film this is!!!

The setting is superb, scenery and environment are absolutely beautiful,the camerawork is amazing.


Johnny Depp is playing a cowardly detective set to solve some brutal
murders in the village of Sleepy Hollow. It turns out to be a really
creepy ghost story, but also an oldschool crime-solving story. He
portraits his characters with his very own sloppiness, fun and superb
acting skills. Miranda Richardson in a pivotal role was equally superb.


Such movies are rare in these days, but Burton has really succeeded in
this.Top notch through out.


Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Johnny Depp
Casper Van Dien
Michael Gambon
Christina Ricci
Miranda Richardson

Creators:
Johnny Depp (Primary Contributor)
Christina Ricci (Primary Contributor)
Adam Schroeder (Producer)
Andrew Kevin Walker (Producer)
Andrew Kevin Walker (Writer)
Celia D. Costas (Producer)
Dieter Geissler (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
EAN: 0097361181943
Binding: HD DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Colour,
Release date: 2006-07-25
Universal product code (UPC): 097361181943
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Running time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999-11-19
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)

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