Review of Sleepy Hollow (1999) by Amanda P — 31 Aug 2011

This is a true Gothic horror movie, the first of it's kind to come along in years and the last of it's kind for years to come afterward.

Sleepy Hollow is a spooky and atmospheric Gothic horror story in the vein of Hammer Horror. The use of color and shadow with the bombastic and heavily haunting scoring of Danny Elfman certainly give it the feel of a Hammer horror period piece like Horror of Dracula or Frankenstein Created Woman. It's both refreshing and nostalgic at the same time. Every scene is full of sublime, surreal visuals.

This is a wonderful film that is part supernatural thriller and part murder mystery. It has a complexity to be appreciated. Unlike most recent horror films it does not condescend to the audience or make the viewer feel like a child or a half-wit. I was seventeen-years-old when Sleepy Hollow came out and I saw it in the theatre twice.

A part of the story involving the ancient symbol of the pentacle caught me by surprise. Originally It seems the symbol is being used for evil. This bothered me because the symbol is, in reality, a symbol of ancient faith and protection representing the five elements of nature. Earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Later though our protagonist is made to realize that the symbol was being used as a protection ward and this greatly relieved me and my fear of misuse of the symbol.

Though this is not a faithful adaptation of Washington Irving's short story (which would be difficult to make into a full length feature) I actually feel this story is an improvement on the original incarnation. Ichabod Crane is a lot more relatable and likable in this version of the story. He is shy, geeky, awkward, and faints at least three times during the course of the movie. He is like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Roddy McDowall's character from Hell House. Our nerdish hero is masterfully played by Johnny Depp. And the ending of the film is very satisfying.

I strongly recommend this for anyone who loves Gothic Horror.