There's a dark and sinister fog that looms over the town of Sleepy Hollow. There's whispers in the shadows and conspiracies to be found only one man can solve the mystery that curses the very town of Sleepy Hollow. Even in daylight a gloomy presence bodes in the mist. Can Ichabod Crane solve the mystery that haunts this town?
It's rumored that a headless horseman is the culprit to the series of murders. Ichabod Crane the once shy, dainty, and awkward school teacher trades his appearance and status for a chemistry set and a quest for truth. The version of Ichabod Crane in this film is vastly different from the novel but I feel it adds to his background. A inquisitive young man with a pursuit for truth. He's sent on quest from his superiors to solve the mystery that haunts Sleepy Hollow. Will Ichabod Crane and his experiments and ideas solve the mystery before it's too late? Well read on to find out!
Sleepy Hollow is every perfectly captured in this adaption of the story. It's haunting and you can sense the eerie allure to the town from the story. There's a conspiracy afoot! As Ichabod Crane draws closer the perpetrators get closer to his love interest, Katrin Van Tessel. There's a scene where she is in the woods and there's nothing but grey and fog around her. She projects a pure white light around her almost given us viewers the impression that she is a symbol of genuine light. Ichabod has his adversaries too. Brom Bones from the tale follows him in this story. Instead of the boorish oaf I remember he is presented as quite the worthy adversary to Ichabod Crane. He's not the last of them I assure you.
The story of an age old conspiracy is in the works. This concerns and revolves around the town elders. Katrina's dear father seems to find himself in the middle of all this. It turns out a that the Van Garretts carelessly doomed and evicted a woman's family. This caused her to manifest an anger towards the very heirs of Sleepy Hollow. Opportunity presented itself to her when the hessian comes across her path as a child. She is the reason he meets his demise. Now using this opportunity to connect herself to him she uses him as her pawn to get rid of anyone who stands in her way of revenge. As Ichabod finally solves the mystery could it be too late for his beloved Katrina? Will the truth finally come to light?
Well in this adaption we have new characters. The obvious being the town elders who all played a part and were each picked out as Ichabod drew closer to the truth. We also have Young Masbath who becomes a ward to Ichabod Crane once his father is cruelly ripped apart by the hessian. At first he doesn't want to take Young Masbath under his wing but soon decides to because he sees a little of himself in him. Possibly this has to do with this "nightmares or dreams" he has. Dreams of a blossom and sweet natured background surrounding the innocent memory of his beloved mother. A mother who taught him the love of magic but he was too young to truly understand. It was his father who cruelly executed her leaving him alone. There's an uncanny image to his memories.
A white room that symbolizes purity with a red carpet that takes on the mood of a blood trail leading him to a torture chamber that was the demise of his dear mother. As he starts to understand why he is the way he is. He understands the genuine appeal he has to magic. There I assume he developed an unquenchable thirst for truth. Perhaps in a way to save others from the cruel fate of his mother. Hoping to bring justice instead of finding an easy solution.
I think this story was a form of redemption to Ichabod Crane seeing as he was cruelly taken in the story of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Perhaps this is a romantic way of bringing him some form of justice and perhaps not.
This story is pure gothic horror. It had elements of it that were creepy and the mood would just beckon to submerse you into the story. It was engaging and interesting. Burton's version of Sleepy Hollow was memorable and it brought a new perspective to the story that made it fresh. I really do enjoy this story and I love this adaption of it. Ichabod get's closure at the end of the story once the mystery is solved life returns to Sleepy Hollow. The fog and gloom that hung in the shadows is now left in the wake. A new beginning brings sunlight and melodies from the nature. Adventure calls to Ichabod Crane with Katrina Van Tessel at his side. They both with Young Masbath return to New York where the New Century awaits.
Comparison between The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving and Sleepy Hollow 1999 by Tim Burton
Ichabod isn't the dainty and awkward character I remember from reading Irving's story. The Ichabod in this story was still easily squeamish but kind of a rebel. He was intelligent and his love for superstitions he traded for his experiments and inventions. He is sent on a task to solve the mystery in Sleepy Hollow. What mysteries lie in the shadows of this town?
Even in daylight there is a fog that lingers over Sleepy Hollow. It adds the air of sinister nature that looms in the shadows of Sleepy Hollow. A dark and grim looking town that is perfectly captured in this film. When I read the story I imagined it so.
Like the book, Katrina has a delicate nature to her. There's a scene in Sleepy Hollow when even in the mist of darkness she projects a pure energy. I think this was purposely done so to capture that vision projected in the story. Brom isn't the boorish oaf I remember from the story but presents himself as a worthy adversary to Ichabod Crane. I imagined Gunpowder Ichabod's "trusty" stead to be similar to the cartoon Disney had unlike the strong frame he has in the film. The legend of the hessian is slightly changed but it gives a more dark frame to his character that I feel is fitting. An unquenchable thirst for blood he's merciless until fate brings him to his demise at the hands of a child. Ichabod isn't a school teacher but a detective.
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