Another wonderful Tim Burton film.

Rating: Null/10 (21 November 1999)

Tim Burton has always done films that are sympathetic towards outcasts in society. The Wiona Ryder character in BEETLEJUICE, Bruce Wayne/Batman in the BATMAN films, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, and ED WOOD. Now the outcast is Ichabod Crane (Johnny Deep), a man in 1799 New York, who believes that a crime should be investigated, instead of getting a immediate punishment. It's Ichabod's belief that has him get a assignment to investigate the gruesome murders in the town of Sleepy Hollow. The plot is loosely based on Washington Irving's classic tale of the battle between the superstitious school teacher and the deadly headless horseman. In this version, instead of being a school teacher, Crane is now a constable who uses science and gadgets to solve the crimes committed in Sleepy Hollow. While in Sleepy Hollow, Crane discovers that it's not only the murders of people getting beheaded are mysterous but also the townsfolk. There's Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci) who either wants to love or harm Ichabod. There's Katrina's father, Baltus Van Tassel (Michael Gambon) and his wife Lady Van Tassel (Miranda Richardson), and the town priest (Jeffrey Jones), the town doctor (Ian MacDirmad), political official (Richard Griffiths) and Katrina's boyfriend (Casper Van Dein). This may not be a faithful version to the classic Irving tale, it is however a very enjoyable film. Tim Burton does remain faithful to the characters from the tale. Ichabod does appear to be brave on the outside, but is actually terrified on the inside. Katrina is both very beautiful and mysterous. And the headless horseman is indeed very very terrifying. Yet, this film is faithful to the classic Walt Disney version by adding "inside" jokes that were also featured in the animated version. Like Burton's other films, this is a dark and gothic film, that is one of the reason's on why I highly enjoyed it. The scenes are so wonderfully constructed and beautiful. The set designs in SLEEPY HOLLOW are gorgeous! They are so beautiful that they are screaming to be getting a Oscar in March. Also, the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki is outstanding! Lubezki is probably going to be going up against Robert Richardson (BRINGING OUT THE DEAD) and Dante Spinotti
(THE INSIDER) for best cinematography in March also. The shots are at the same time both beautiful and scary, a very rare accomplishment in film. And the music by Danny Elman, is at it's usual greatness. I'm sure that he'll get nomminated again
for his wonderful score for this film, but he'll probably get snubbed for your usual Disney animated score. What I was disappointed in with SLEEPY HOLLOW is the ending. I won't give away to what happens, but all I could say is that I could have thought of something better. But, why complain about the color of the couch inside a beautiful mansion? I still highly reccommend this film! ****1/2 (out of five)