Sleepy Hollow

1999 Horror

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

Reviews

  • Gorgeous filmmaking that brims over with funhouse thrills and ravishing romance.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

  • This is the best-looking horror film since Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula."

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    27 April 2013

  • 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.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • Visually sumptuous and playfully creepy.

    - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

  • 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.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • 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)