Sleepy Hollow

Tim Burton's early work can conjure a lot of nostalgia for fans but I wouldn't come across many of these films until later on in life. I've still not seen Beetlejuice and my thoughts on his Batman films weren't unanimous praise but I have always highly ranked his 1999 gothic thriller, Sleepy Hollow. I first saw this on TV during its early runs and really enjoyed every aspect this atmospheric, blood-soaked mystery so this is the one I hold some nostalgia for. But having not seen it for quite some time, the hour was right in the depths of Autumn with Halloween approaching to see how this stands 25 years later...

Set in 1799, a New York City police constable, Ichabod Crane, is set up the Hudson River to a remote village where there has been a series of mysterious beheadings. Crane arrives determined to put his modern scientific methods to use but quickly finds himself out of his depth in something far more mysterious at play. 

Burton brings together a fantastic cast of thespian character actors with the likes of Michael Gambon, Richard Griffiths, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gough, Ian McDiarmid, Christopher Lee and Christopher Walken, while lead by two younger leads with Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Everyone brings something unique to the story and combined with Danny Elfman's score and visuals by Emmanuel Lubezki, Burton creates a story rich in atmosphere to its very core. The production design is neat mix of sets and limited CGI that all blend perfectly together for thoroughly engrossing and entertaining thriller that left an impression on me, and it has all aged very well.

The tightly crafted screenplay and Burton's direction never really waste a moment, and the only weak point I could find is somewhere in the middle when a witch-like character is introduced that is unfortunately hindered by a moment of dated and outlandish CGI. Everything else flows perfectly and I just really had a great time watching this again after so many years.

Sleepy Hollow will delight old and first-time viewers over the 100 minute running time that never outstays its welcome. I really do look forward to watching this again and only wish Hollywood would make more entertaining gothic films like this as there really is a market for them and plenty more potential to be unleashed. All in all, this gets a full recommendation.