by Little Strawberry

Created on: July 30, 2008

"Ichabod, Ichabod, Ichabod Crane", chimes the chorus in the overly comical Disney adaption of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', reducing Washington Irving's horrific ghost tale down to a technicolor musical fantasy. It is a brightly colored, watered-down version of a story that has stood firm through decade upon decade, and as a seven-year-old, I am scared to pieces by the bellowing song of Abraham Van Brunt, the errant suitor of one Katrina Van Tassel. In every scene, the lively apprehension of Crane, the sweet singing of Ms. Van Tassel, and the fire and brimstone that consistently appear with the very scary pumpkin-toting Headless Horseman, are enough to make me jump out of bed in the middle of the night and run to my parents. "THE HORSEMAN IS AFTER ME!" I shriek, as they tell me it is ridiculous.

Not so ridiculous, however for the poor characters in the 1922 silent version. They drop the ominous 'Legend...' title for the rather simple 'The Headless Horseman'. Having not seen this movie in action, my viewing of it reduced to silent stills, I can only conclude that it would have been a rather spine-tingling sight for an audience of the time, in line with such films as 'Nosferatu' (even though it appeared many decades later). Judging by the comical expression of Ichabod Crane in one still shot, it may have also had a comedic element, similar to silent film comics of the 20s like Harold Lloyd or Charlie Chaplin. Having now discovered this film, combined with a slight interest in silent movies, I may well write again with a proper review of this title.

The one that really demands attention, however, and I think due to not only promotion, but also to the world it invokes, is Tim Burton's adaption of Sleepy Hollow, aptly titled 'Sleepy Hollow'. There's no need for the prefix 'The Legend...', we know from the posters that this is going to be 'that creepy ghost story about that guy that chops off people's heads'. And given Burton's often beautiful treatment of all things gothic, what results is a haunting tale, with the fog-soaked, eerie atmosphere of the location, acting as a consistent, ominous undercurrent alongside the wonderful interpretations of the main characters.

Johnny Depp plays the nervous Ichabod Crane to with a great injection of humor, his weakness at the sight of blood an hilarious juxtaposition to his activities of 'forensic examination', while Christina Ricci's beautiful and inquisitive Katrina Van Tassel is not only smart (she has a knowledge of witchcraft,

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