Sleepy Hollow (1999) 

Directed by Tim Burton, Sleepy Hollow is an atmospheric gothic thriller

which ranks up with 1992's Bram Stoker's Dracula.  Perhaps it is unfair to compare directors such as Coppola and Burton, however both films drip with atmosphere and tension.  Each film cell is like a painting which the viewer is sure to find pleasant to the eye, yet eerie.

Featuring an all star cast of actors that most geeks would recognize from various other films.  In fact, there are several actors who also feature in both Harry Potter and Star Wars films.  Also, there are 2 classically trained actors who also appeared in Hammer Horror films.  But I'll let you figure out who those are when you watch the film again! 

The art direction gives us a glimpse into the fevered mind of Burton yet it does not overpower the story or the acting. Since its Burton, the director of ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988), some scenes (especially those with the Headless Horseman) are over the top 
and very entertaining yet over the top to watch. 

This may be slightly unfortunate if one expects a serious horror thriller but such scenes do intend to discharge the tension, while again showing off Burton’s talent for mixing inventive fantasies with dark, Gothic designs. The sets alone are nearly worth the price of admission, featuring the abstract expressionism that fits so well within the typical Burton fare.  

The film could also have had more structure to it, instead of jumping back and forth in time now and then, as well as make an effort to be more believable. However, nevertheless, what the production manages to achieve with brilliance is to create this creepy and eerie atmosphere to the movie: from the dialogue and the costumes to the dreary lightning and the music (by the great Danny Elfman), ‘Sleepy Hollow’ is a very Gothic spin on an already familiar story. 

By way of trivia, the production constructed the set of ‘Sleepy Hollow’ in a record-time, i.e., three months, and the film was actually awarded an Academy Award in the category of the Best Art Direction-Set Decoration.  One actor was quoted as  saying that walking around the small village was akin to walking around inside the mind of Tim Burton.

                                            

When asked about Depp's acting skill while filming, Burton said that Depp is,
"One of the best fainters in the business."  Depp faints a total of 5 times 
(vs. Ricci's twice) with each instance bringing a sense of  quirky humor 
to an otherwise dreary murder thriller mystery. 

All in all, this film is one of my favorite horror movies to watch, the beheadings and special effects are like a modern take on Hammer Classic Movies.  (Which was the feeling the Burton was working to evoke.)  It helps that it was shot primarly in UK at Leavesden Studios. Also, this film takes horror to the next level by not sparing younger victims from the Horseman's blade.  One victim, an unborn baby, another a young boy who the viewer thinks will survive, is pulled up by the hair after witnessing his parents murdered by the Horseman. 

                                

Speaking of the Horseman and his grisly murders, I would be remiss if I did not at least mention the stunt work by Ray Park.  Instantly recognizable in his unique style, Mr. Park gives the Horseman a sort of threatening fluidity and movement that is all business yet eerily calm in it's demeanor.  The bridge scene in particular is fascinating.  

If for some reason you have been trapped under a rock or have not yet had the opportunity to watch this film that features an all star cast, I encourage you strongly to do so!