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Sleepy Hollow [1999]


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A head of the game...
Review date: 2008-10-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

One thing you are certain of with a Tim Burton film, is that it will be a visual feast, and Sleepy Hollow is no exception. You have to keep reminding yourself that it is a colour film, as Burton makes the whole thing look so washed out and, to a point, sepia. You will realise just how washed out the movie looks when after viewing it, take a look at the original cinema trailer (an extra on this DVD) - it almost leaps off the screen with bright colours. But the washed out misty look is best for this film and just adds to the sense of unease and forboding.
Johnny Depp does indeed "camp it up a storm" as Constable Ichabod Crane, one of the NYPD's earliest stars it seems. His investigation into the Headless Horseman killings in upstate New York lead him into many sinister and ghoulish predicaments. Depp is as watchable as ever, commanding the screen whenever he is on. I am a big fan of Christina Ricci, but this is not one of her best outings as she comes across a little too woodenly as Katrina van Tassel, and blonde really does not suit her! There is marvellous support, with only a whiff of hamming it up from stars such as Michael Gambon, Richard Griffiths, Michael Gough, Ian McDiarmid, Miranda Richardson, Alan Armstrong and even Christopher Lee at the beginning. Blink and you will miss Martin Landau at the start. Christopher Walken must have taken ages to learn his lines as all he says is "YAAAH!" a lot, but he does it jolly well all the same.
This film is creepy, atmospheric in the extreme, beautifully shot, on the whole well acted and will give you a fright or two. Marvellous stuff.

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Reviews


Unpleasant but fascinating
Review date: 2008-08-12 Rating: 6 out of 10

I unwisely started to watch this on TV one evening and couldn't stop, as my interest was caught by the story, the characters and the way the village was portrayed, despite its being full of typical Tim Burton gruesome effects. I'm not a fan of his work, I know it's much admired, I know it's clever, but a lot of it is just plain repulsive as far as I'm concerned.
Johnny Depp and Christoper Walken turned in competent performances and the sets, costumes and cinematography created a really haunting feeling of menace and decay. Unfortunately, once Miranda Richardson appeared, you just knew that her character was either weird or evil or both and things would turn out badly.
It's a film that stays in the memory long afterwards, partly for its gruesome events, but mainly for it's chilling atmosphere and (I have to hand it to Mr.Burton) the quite terrifying, but richly deserved ending.
I didn't enjoy it and I won't be watching it again, but I will remember it for a long time and I can see why those who like horror films rate it highly.

Very good film
Review date: 2008-07-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film is not the kind of film I would normally watch, as I am not a fan of horror movies. There are two reasons why I did watch this one: Johnny Depp and Tim Burton.

The film is basically about an Inspector called Ichabod Crane (brilliantly played by Johnny Depp) who is sent to the small village of Sleepy Hollow to investigate three murders which have all taken place in the space of a fortnight. He does not believe the villagers who claim that the Headless Horseman is the killer. His opinion changes when he meets the Headless Horseman. He quickly learns of the legend, and finds out that someone is controlling the Horseman and will continue to do so until the Horsemans head is returned.

This film is a little bit too scary for me - the first time I watched it when it was on TV and turned it over every time I knew someone was going to die, and even though I've seen it several times, I still have to close my eyes - but I found that the rest of it was really good (if you manage to avoid looking too closely at all the headless corpses that are either found in the wood or dug up), but Johnny Depp really lights up the screen as Ichabod Crane. He is just so perfect!!!!

If you don't like horror films, you probably shouldn't watch this unless you are a Johnny Depp fan (like me!!). If you do like horror films, WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!


Heads will roll...
Review date: 2008-02-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

I first seen this film a few years back and if your expecting a bloody slash-torture-fest you most probebly will be best sticking to Freddy Vs Jason or Saw IV as that is not the intention of this film. Although you will see many beheadings and corpses, its very much a mythical detective story. Johnny Depp's humorous cowardly take on Ichabot Crane, a detective searching for the person behind the beheaded corpses turning up all around the small American village of Sleepy Hollow, is a pleasure to watch. The one thing I love about Depp is his ability to make a complete fool out of himself and not having to appear as some hot headed Hollywood pretty boy and I feel that comes across in Sleepy Hollow just as much as it does in Pirates of the Carribean.
Tim Burton once again creates a film with that fantasy tone we all love so much. If you, like me, love Burtons take on fantasy or movies in general this is definately one to pick up and hold as a prize in your movie collection. You wont be dissapointed.

Funny and entertaining gothic horror
Review date: 2008-01-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

I am a big fan of Tim Burton's films and I would say that Sleepy Hollow has to be my favourite. The film is loosely based on the short story `The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irvine and follows New York police constable Ichabod Crane who is sent to the small village of Sleepy Hollow to prove his scientific detection methods by finding who killed a number of the villages residence. During his investigations he discovers a world of magic and the undead while coming to terms with his own past.

This film contains all the elements of a good Tim Burton film including gothic horror, a brilliantly funny script, beautiful visuals and Johnny Depp. The all-star cast all give near perfect performances especially Depp himself. Some of the special effects were somewhat suspect but the headless horseman itself and the overall mood of the film don't suffer and remain brilliantly dark. Sleepy Hollow is a beautifully made film that should be loved by any fan of Burton's films.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Johnny Depp
Martin Landau
Christina Ricci
Christopher Walken
Miranda Richardson

Creators:
Johnny Depp (Primary Contributor)
Christina Ricci (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034578611
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-02-12
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999
Language: English (Original Language)

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