Tim Burton's darkest gem

Rating: 9/10 (15 May 2004)

While some who are just getting to know Tim Burton through his beautiful sentimental epic Big Fish will be shocked, this will always be a core favorite for true fans of everything Burtonesque. In what I consider to be his darkest film ever, Burton delves deep into his lifelong obsession with everything gothic. In short, Sleepy Hollow is a salute to the Vincent Price and Hammer Horror films Burton viewed growing up (Good ol' Chris Lee gets a nod in his brief roll as the burgomaster). It is Burton's assertion that he can indeed make something on par with these classics. Sleepy Hollow for the most part lacks the humor of Burton's earlier ventures. Atmospherically, however, it is the pinnacle of what he always strives for with his work. The town itself has a brooding maniacal presence to it, steeped in shadow, that serves as constant reminder throughout the whole film that all is not right. The gore is delicious, with a tree full of decapitated heads and blood splashed artfully in the snow. Christopher Walken is terrifying as the human form of the horseman,Christian Ricci has never looked more beautiful, giving the likes of Barbara Steele and Ingrid Pitt a run for their money, and Johnny Depp, well he does his extraordinary Johnny Depp thing. This is great stuff. I give it a nine out of ten.