A lot can be said of Tim Burton as a director. To some Burton is a one trick pony; obsessed with the gothic and unable to tell a coherent story. To others Burton is the creator of mystic dreams; adirector with a unique style that he applies to his body of work from drama to fantasy as well as his animations.
Burton’s films in the last ten years may have become more commercially successful but are generally considered to lack the detail and brilliance of his earlier work. The 90’s are seen to be Burton’s heyday of film spanning such classics as Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Closing the decade Burton chose to direct a film inspired by a short story and featuring an array of American folk law.
Sleepy Hollow stars Johnny Depp as well as Christina Ricci in a film that demonstrates Burtons talents at their very best.
The films script was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, of Seven fame and originally set to be directed by make-up effects designer turned director Kevin Yagher. Yagher, while working on the HBO series, Tales From the Crypt, had the idea of turning Washington Irving’s short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow into a full length feature. The pair managed to get the film picked up by Paramount where is sadly became caught in the development phase for years. The project seemed dead until the script was sent to Burton who agreed to direct Walkers script.
Burton, who had come off the back end of his failed Superman Lives project, liked Walkers script and was intrigued by the possibility of directing a horror film. The genre is one that Burton had not yet worked in and meant new territory for the director. The direction of the script changed dramatically once Burton became involved. Originally Yagher and Walker had planned the film to be a low budget slasher film. Burton’s presence brought a higher budget and the draw for acting names. The script was also expanded from its original short story transforming its lead from a school teacher to a banished police officer.
Burton is known for his dark imagery and gothic style which he applies flawlessly to Sleepy Hollow. The aesthetic of the setting is familiar and suits its themes and subject matter. The town of Sleepy Hollow resembles Salem from The Crucible enhancing its context of superstition.
A director trade mark of Burton is the omission of recognisable landmarks and scenery. This is used to perfection in Sleepy Hollow. Although originally filming was to take place on location a suitable town was not found. Instead the town of Sleepy Hollow was lavishly designed and built on sets. Every detail of the film is built to encompass Burtons vision. Notable set pieces such as the tree of the dead, the Van Tassel Mansion as well as the town windmill give the film an otherworldy feeling. In creating the sets, Burton pulls the audience into his unfamiliar and Gothic world.
With Sleepy Hollow, Burton uses tone, atmosphere as well as subtle imagery to craft its horror elements. The original script relied on the presence of gore and violence to frighten audiences. Burtons small touches such as trees that look like claws reaching to grab you or innocently placed scare crows that give off the feeling of watching you make the audience feel like Ichabod to be trapped in the town. The scenes of gore are beautifully presented such as blood slashed meticulously across a pumpkins face. The scary elements here don’t shock but penetrate due to their beauty.
To date, Burton and Depp have done eight films together. Early on this collaboration felt a strong one. The pairs weird take on characters and storys moulded well together. Of late, the pairs work has felt repetitive and unimaginative. Sleepy Hollow feels like the last film that Burton cast Depp because he believed him to be the best choice instead of casting for novelty’s sake.
Depp’s approach to the the role was the unintentional hero. Ichabod is confident in his reasoning and deduction skills but not his physical strength. The character, despite his intelligence, is socially awkward and clumsy. Depp plays him so convincingly that at times his social ineptness becomes cringe worthy. But there is so much appeal to Ichabod and Depp physically inhabits the role wonderfully.
Christina Ricci seems like an actress who was destined to work with Tim Burton. Had the film been made ten years earlier the role would have suited Winona Ryder. Like Ryder, Ricci is associated with Gothic roles such as Wednesday from The Addams Family, and noted for her striking pale skin and dark features. With Katrina, Ricci plays the damsel in distress role with edge. Katrina is an innocent young woman but there is more to her than meets the eye. A white witch as well as a character that acts when other refuse too. Katrina could have been a boring and weak role but Ricci plays her with a confidence that adds depth. Her chemistry with Depp is brilliant and adds heart to the films horror plot.
Possible the most beautiful horror film you’ll ever see. A rich and intriguing film that show cases Burton’s visual style as well as his story telling ability. Also the last truly great collaboration from Burton and Depp. For fans of the director its one of his best and for those not of the Burton collective, this could be the one that converts you.
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