IMDb > Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Sleepy Hollow
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Sleepy Hollow (1999) More at IMDbPro »

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Sleepy Hollow (1999) -- Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of 3 people with the culprit being the legendary apparition, the Headless Horseman.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) -- Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of 3 people with the culprit being the legendary apparition, the Headless Horseman.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) -- Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of 3 people with the culprit being the legendary apparition, the Headless Horseman.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   98,949 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Washington Irving (story)
Kevin Yagher (screen story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Sleepy Hollow on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
19 November 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Who will it come for next?! more
Plot:
Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of 3 people with the culprit being the legendary apparition, the Headless Horseman. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 21 wins & 28 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(105 articles)
Alice in Wonderland Costumer Colleen Atwood: 'It's Going To Be Amazing'
 (From Movieline. 24 November 2009, 7:00 AM, PST)

Johnny Depp's Pirates bounty
 (From Monsters and Critics. 17 November 2009, 2:33 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A visual masterpiece, pure Tim Burton. ***1/2 out of **** more (934 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Sleepy Hollow (Germany)
Sleepy Hollow - Köpfe werden rollen (Germany) (TV title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic horror violence and gore, and for a scene of sexuality.
Runtime:
105 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the novel, the Headless Horseman was a man who lost his head from a cannon blast in an unknown battle of the American Revolutionary War. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: When the carriage brings Ichabod between New York City and Sleepy Hollow, it appears to be on the left side of the river. However, Sleepy Hollow is located on the right side of the Hudson relative to New York City, just above the Tappan Zee. No other similar river exists that would be a logical replacement. more
Quotes:
Reverend Steenwyck: Their heads weren't found severed. Their heads were not found at all.
Ichabod Crane: The heads are... gone?
Notary James Hardenbrook: Taken. Taken by the Headless Horseman. Taken back to hell.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#23.10)" (2000) more
Soundtrack:
Argeers more

FAQ

Did the horseman kill the little boy of the midwife?
Is Chritsopher Walken playing the Horseman in every scene?
What was Lady Van Tassel's plan?
more
83 out of 99 people found the following comment useful.
A visual masterpiece, pure Tim Burton. ***1/2 out of ****, 16 December 1999
8/10
Author: Blake French (dlfspartan@aol.com) from Michigan, USA

SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999) ***1/2

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, Casper Van Dien, Jeffrey Jones, and Christopher Walken Director: Tim Burton Running Time: 102 minutes Rated R (for graphic horror violence and gore, and brief sexuality)

By Blake French:

Tim Burton is just about as good as they get in the movie business when it comes to creating an atmospheric world to inhabit specific characters. "Sleepy Hollow" is the perfect kind of movie for his directional Midas touch; it resembles the best of Burton in every way. In the film, an adaptation based on a story by Washington Irving called The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, he captures the slumbering, creepy village of Sleepy Hollow with vivid details and imaginative description. The way everything is presented, the trees look like something out of a fairy tale and the scenery represents deception in a mysterious wonderland, is what makes this production one of the years most captivating and magical film experiences.

Some of the visual credit should also be given to the film's Cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, and the credited production designer, Rick Heinrichs. These elements contribute a great deal of success to Burton's masterpiece. Both the design and Cinematography are some of the best seen all year, and deserve a hard earned Oscar Nomination. They make the film intriguing and visually stimulating.

The film takes place in the late 1700's, in New York. Constable Ichabod Crane, a timid and but smart man played by Johnny Depp, is assigned to investigate a series of grizzly murders in a nearby town called Sleepy Hollow. He's rather concerned about his latest task, however, due to the content of the killings. The victim's heads have been sliced, in one clean sweep, straight from their bodies. He accepts his duties, and travels by horse and carriage to the isolated village.

Once Ichabod arrives, the locals, including Lady Van Tassel (Miranda Richardson), Baltus Van Tassel (Michael Gambon), Brom Van Brunt (Casper Van Dien), and Reverend Steenwyck (Jeffrey Jones), greet him with eagerness. They explain the legend of the headless horseman, who is supposedly causing the murders in their town. At first he is skeptical. Then, after witnessing a victim losing their head personally, he arrives at the conclusion that a headless horseman is responsible for the tragic catastrophes accruing. Ichabod soon meets Katrina Van Tassel, an innocent looking, self spoken young woman who may have some advice, as well as several secrets of her own.

The Headless horseman is a perfect portrayed villain for "Sleepy Hollow." He is brute, oversized, and roughly textured with outwear. The actor who brings him to life when his head is on is perfect for the role; Christopher Walken. For some odd reason, however, popular film critic Roger Ebert reluctantly refused to tell his readers the name of the actor, thinking it would give something away. Well, I am sorry, Mr. Ebert, but it isn't that hard to find this information elsewhere. The filmmakers are not trying to hold Walken as a secret. Stating he stars as the headed horseman gives nothing away. One must see his performance and make up for themselves to even imagine what material the film's bad guy brings forth.

Tim Burton's direction is focused and wonderfully observant here. The murder sequences are gory and violent, but never way over the top. Burton never losses sight of his main characters, has a good idea about what he wants to place in film, and the special effects do not distract his ability to do so. He has a knack for allowing an audience to become involved with his pictures. We must think for ourselves, figuring out nuggets of the plot on our own, without the projectors help. He has demonstrated these techniques before in such films as "Edward Scissorhands," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and even the best Batman film yet, "Batman Returns."

Johnny Depp offers an Oscar worthy performance as Ichabod Crane. He brings the squeamish role to life effortlessly with striking details and perfect form. He is flawlessly cast, as well as Christina Ricci, who also acts with style and poignancy. Compliments also go out to splendid costuming the actors are permitted to wear.

Although "Sleepy Hollow" offers lots of creepy impressions, the film is far from being very scary. Some moments do generate some minor thrills, but for the most part, the production is not as terrifying as it could have been. Much of it lacks momentum and build-up for the dozen or so graphic beheadings that take place. Burton could have easily loaded his picture with bombarding amounts of shock value, suspense, and tension filled fright, but instead goes for all out violence, plot, and mystery. Not that this effects the overall production. This is more of an atmospheric movie than a scream feast. The atmosphere is certainly above the average.

The conclusion of "Sleepy Hollow" works in a bizarre, but unpredictable fashion. The climax occurs unexpectedly and excitingly, with much surprise and special effects. The film's foreshadowing is effective, but regardless of how experienced of a filmgoer you are, this is one ending that is not meant to be figured out before it takes place. It is one of the preferred closings I've seen in a while. Despite a few personal objections, "Sleepy Hollow" is a brilliantly crafted work of art--one of the years better films.

Brought to you by Paramount Pictures.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Great atmosphere, but.... (SPOILERS!!!) mnlarned
almost ruined (spoiler) stimpy979797
So far, the only Tim Burton movie that gives me chills! trisp
OK film...but misses the point of the short story completely tschalmers-2
A long way from New York???? nineinchnail1981
Its time for somebody to step up to the plate... arno_ptrs
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