DVD Review
Created | Updated Jun 21, 2003
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is the new format for bringing films to your home. With better quality pictures and sound, and extra features generally included as standard on most major releases, it may revolutionise the industry. So, of course, h2g2 has to get in on the act. And first off the mark is Tim Burton's adaptation of the classic American tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. One more thing: DVD distribution is split into several regions all over the world. Due to this, there are slight variations in the different regions' discs. So bear in mind, this review is for region 2 (British)discs.
Sleepy Hollow
The Disc
Sleepy Hollow takes Washington Irving's classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and twists it into classic Tim Burton weirdness- tongue firmly in cheek.
The film reunites director Burton with star Johnny Depp (the two have worked together twice previously- on Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood)- a perfect partnership of eccentric, gifted director and eccentric, gifted star. This time around, Depp stars as Ichabod Crane... a New York policeman, shunned by his colleagues because of his insistence that modern techniques (such as autopsies) should replace the more outdated methods of crime-solving (if a body has been found in the water, the cause of death is drowning- no questions asked). Because of his supposedly eccentric views, Crane is sent to investigate a string of murders that have happened in the small village of Sleepy Hollow... murders that share one thing in common... each of the victims' heads have been cut off.
On arriving in Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod is soon told of the legend of the Headless Horseman (played to extremely creepy effect by Christopher Walken)- a murderous psychopath in life, who finally met his end by beheading. The legend goes that the headless horseman rides again in death, cutting off innocent victims' heads, in order to avenge his own death.
At first sceptical about this tale, Ichabod is soon drawn into the mystery, experiencing the horseman's carnage first hand, and discovering the web of conspiracy and supernatural secrets that hangs over the town (whilst finding time to fall in love with Christina Ricci's Katrina Van Tassel along the way).
The talented Depp gives a first-rate performance as the nervy, somewhat effeminate Crane, complete with English accent. He makes a credible action hero- particularly in the movie's final chase scene- and is, as ever, a charismatic leading man. But it is in the film's comedic elements that Depp really shows his stuff. With a role that could easily have been irritating and brainless (the actor is called upon to faint repeatedly, wear strange-looking gadgets, and frequently get splattered with blood), Depp brings a charm and intelligence to the role, with a perfect comic timing that does not go overboard.
Depp is joined by an strangely ethereal Christina Ricci, as Ichabod's love interest, Katrina. Ricci's performance is not as strong as Depp's, but her role is not as demanding, and what she does, she does very well. As it is, the part does not ask for much more than to appear mysterious and romantic, but she works well as a foil for Depp's character, and the two generate enough chemistry to keep the audience interested in the romance.
Filling out the cast are a number of well-known British character actors (the film was shot just outside London), amongst them Richard Griffiths and Michael Gambon. However, threatening to steal the entire movie is the wonderful Miranda Richardson. With pale, pale blonde hair, and a perfect American accent, she cuts a mysterious and strange figure. At first seemingly only an incidental character, she asserts her presence more and more, until the final scenes when she finally breaks through to the forefront, stealing the screen from Depp and Ricci.
Burton's direction is as assured as always, and his trademark visuals are beautifully captured in the film. Gloomy, creepy sets are lovingly shot, with every detail perfectly captured. The gruesome murders are frighteningly realistic, as are the prosthetic heads which the horseman is collecting. Unlike many Hollywood blockbusters, this does not scream at the top of it's voice 'LOOK WE HAVE CGI!' but uses it technology subtly- so that when the viewer finally sees which parts of the horseman are computer-generated, it is a complete and utter surprise. The parts of the film which do use obvious CGI do it to stunning effect (particularly the sequence in which the horseman's face grows back- disturbingly resembling Robbie William's video for Rock DJ). Burton has taken on his visions for Gotham City and beaten them hollow- these sets reign supreme. And with the crystal clear presentation on DVD, the effect is all the more impressive.
While many will consider Sleepy Hollow as just another horror movie (or, worse, just another Tim Burton movie), it is in fact a stunning piece of work- both funny and chilling, and visually stunning.
****
The Extras
The Region 2 disc is a solid, well presented affair- proving once and for all that studios are now really pulling their weight with the British discs. Clearly demonstrating this are the interactive menus- on the R1 disc they were somewhat static, on this edition they take on a Blair Witch-influenced style... eerily moving depictions of various scenes from the movie, and animated movements from main menu to sub-menus.
The extras menu itself is packed full, including two original trailers, a photo gallery and cast and crew biographies. More interesting though, are the behind-the-scenes inclusions.
First off are two documentaries. The first, Behind the Legend, shows how the movie was made... really bringing home the hard work and care that went into each shot. The second, Reflections on Sleepy Hollow, is slightly less entertaining, basically a love-in for the actors and director. Luckily though, it does provide some interesting insights into the experience of making the movie, saving it from being entire fluff.
Rounding out the disc is the director's commentary... an interesting, if somewhat stilted, look into what Burton was thinking as he made the movie, and explaining some of the more obscure aspects. Not the best commentary ever made, but certainly above average, and worth it to hear the director's delight over putting his actors through their paces!
****
A classic slice of Tim Burton, presented on a great disc, adds up to an excellent bit of entertainment. An unmissable treat for fans of the director or the actors, it's an easy way to immerse yourself in film and trivia for a couple of hours. Even if you aren't a big fan, the film is enjoyable and the extras make it far more so.
Result- ****
