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Showing reviews 1-5 of 690
 Perhaps the highest-quality horror film ever produced (details) February 1, 2010
Patrick W. Crabtree (Lucasville, OH USA)
Yes, this is clearly a somewhat toned-down horror flick but, WOW! I haven't seen much to compare with this outstanding film, in any movie genre, for ages. While it's much shorter and a different sort of story, I think that this production stands equal in quality to The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition), and that is a huge compliment.
In fact, if you have previously enjoyed either The Hound of the Baskervilles (which is the "white-knuckle" version of the most famous of all Sherlock Holmes entries), or Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles, (the magnificent cinematography version), then you will clearly love "Sleepy Hollow."
THE STORY: This yarn springboards from Washington Irving's compelling tale of terror, the companion work to Rip Van Winkle from this Classic American author's famous The Sketch Book. In the case of the film, a youthful and naive New York City constable (Ichabod Crane) is directed north to a New England Dutch settlement where a series of murders has begun to generate chaos in the community -- the year is 1799, only about twenty years after the American Revolution. The first nuance of the murders which Ichabod encounters is that all the killings have been effected by decapitation. The locals are sold on the idea that the perpetrator is nothing short of a terrifying headless horseman (artfully played by a deranged-looking Christopher Walken), purportedly a ghost of a Hessian soldier, but Ichabod is a man of science and he initially asserts that the headless horseman yarn is ludicrous. But Ichabod's scientific approach quickly gives way to his tormented imagination... especially when subsequent murders ensue.
This is a terrifying mystery thriller of the First Water, directed by Tim Burton. The screenwriting (Kevin Yagher) is incredibly compelling, the cinematography is magnificent, the locations (mostly in England) are magical, the filmscore compositions (Danny Elfman) are faultlessly appropriate, and the acting is superb. Johnny Depp as Ichabod (at least for the purpose of this particular film version) amounted to flawless casting. I was also very pleased to see the great Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)), in this film however briefly it may have been.
Viewers should prepare for a long sitting as the running time is 105 minutes -- but there is never any drag and the action is both tasteful (for the genre) and non-stop. The aspect ratio is 1.85:1, a presentation of enhanced widescreen (16:9).
In summary, this Oscar-winning 1999 film is one that you won't want to pass by. I was not in the least surprised to discover that it was produced by the renowned and talented Francis Ford Coppola, (Dementia 13.) The film is rated R due to one mild and brief sexual scene as well as for the violence and the gore of the numerous heads which bounce wide-eyed along the ground after they are separated by sword and by axe from their terror-stricken hosts. I'm normally not a big fan of contemporary movies but, in this rare instance, I award "Sleepy Hollow" my most enthusiastic and very highest five-star recommendation.
 Good departure from the original January 19, 2010
Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France)
This is very far from the original by Washington Irving, so far that it is really a completely different work of art. While in the original Icobod, is a kind of local twit of a teacher - pompous, lacking self awareness, ridiculously awkward - in this he is a big city "scientific" investigator who comes to the provincial town. Moreover, Irving's tale never quite enters the supernatural, but instead is a parody that leaves much to the imagination.
That being said, Depp creates a very good character: a bit of a dork, but courageous in overcoming his fear. THe atmosphere is as vivid and dense as one would expect from Burton, with excellent actors adding to it. It is more of a traditional horror story that is tied off rather than left open, which I regretted.
Recommended for fans.
BLU RAY VERSION January 15, 2010
AVID MOVIE WATCHER (USA)
BLU-RAY VERSION IS WORTH BUYING. I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE MOVIE, OTHERS ALREADY HAVE. BUT, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE TELL YOU IF IT IS WORTH UPGRADING FROM YOUR REGULAR DVD TO BLU-RAY. THIS ONE IS WORTH IT, BUT THE UPGRADE OF A REGULAR DVD ON A GOOD BLU-RAY PLAYER IS ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE BLU-RAY VERSION ON THIS MOVIE, MAYBE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE A LOT OF STUNNING COLORS. BLACK COLORS ARE CLEAR AND IT SOUNDS GREAT.
Love Classic Tale January 8, 2010
Tutu Lulu (MIDWEST)
Johnny Depp's version of this classic tale is only enhanced by Blu-Ray technology. It is a Halloween must have but will watch it through out the year.
Sleepy Hollow is wide awake on Blu-ray October 20, 2009
Daniel J. Cook (Rochester, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The incredible production values and performances really shine on this Blue-ray edition of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. Tim Burton's rendition on the classic tale is a creepy fall take shrouded in mystery in tune with Halloween. You will not go wrong in buying this edition as it is worthy of many repeated viewings.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 690
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