Sleepy Hollow

SLEEPY HOLLOW (15)

D: Tim Burton

Paramount/Mandalay/American Zoetrope (Scott Rudin & Adam Schroeder)

US 1999

105 mins

Horror/Mystery/Fantasy

W: Andrew Kevin Walker [based on the short story "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving]

DP: Emmanuel Lubezki

Ed: Chris Lebenzon

Mus: Danny Elfman

PD: Rick Heinrichs

Cos: Colleen Atwood

Johnny Depp (Ichabod Crane), Christina Ricci (Katrina Van Tassel), Miranda Richardson (Mary Van Tassel), Michael Gambon (Baltus Van Tassel), Caspar Van Dien (Brom Van Brunt), Jeffrey Jones (Rev. Steenwyck), Christopher Walken (The Headless Horseman)

Washington Irving's classic ghost story gets the fairytale treatment, albeit in the usual gothic style Tim Burton has employed throughout his directorial career.

An efféte New York police inspector investigates a series of murders in the small town of Sleepy Hollow, where it transpires that they have been perpetrated by a headless horseman, whose spirit has been commanded by whomever has lifted the curse.

The excellent cinematography and production design are a tribute to the Hammer Horror classics of the 1960's and make this film a treat for the eye to behold. The screenplay is far from perfect, but good performances wash over that, particularly Christopher Walken, who makes a perfect choice for the ghostly cavalier, though the second villain is less impressive, a character seemingly plucked directly from a pantomime.

Despite the flaws, there's plenty here to keep you awake.

7/10