Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman gets a few new twists in a screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton. In this version, Ichabod (Johnny Depp) is a New York City detective whose unorthodox techniques and penchant for gadgets make him unpopular with is colleagues. He is sent to the remote town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of bizarre murders, in which a number of people have been found dead in the woods, with their heads cut off. Local legend has it that a Hessian ghost rides through the woods on horseback, lopping off the heads of the unsuspecting and unbelieving. Ichabod refuses to believe in this legend, convinced that there must be a logical explanation for the murders. In time, Ichabod becomes smitten with a local lass, Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci), who is the sweetheart of the burly Brom Bones (Casper Van Dien), and he becomes determined to capture the murderer to prove his bravery and win her heart. Christopher Walken, Jeffrey Jones, and Christopher Lee highlight the supporting cast; Lee's appearance is particularly apt, since Burton has cited the Hammer films of the 1960s as a major influence in making this film. Andrew Kevin Walker and Tom Stoppard contributed to the screenplay. more..
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Casper Van Dien, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon
Gorgeous filmmaking that brims over with funhouse thrills and ravishing romance.
This is the best-looking horror film since Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula."
This is a very bloody fantasy (reds do eke their way into the black-and-blues), but it's hard to think of another film with as many severed heads whose overall tone is so sweet.
Visually sumptuous and playfully creepy.
More creepy and flesh-crawling than overwhelmingly gory, it nevertheless takes pride in characters who get splattered with blood as often as take-out fries get doused with catsup.
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Academy Awards (2000)
Best Actress
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2000)
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases
American Society of Cinematographers (2000)
Feature Film
Art Directors Guild (2000)
Best Costume Design
BAFTA Awards (2000)
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