New York, in the year 1799. Constable Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp), who uses unusual gizmos and methods of crime-solving (forensics, for instance) is sent by an impatient and stuffy judge (Hammer legend Christopher Lee), to a small upstate village of the title. Apparently several murdered bodies have been discovered…their heads have not. At all. None of them. Not one. Most of the town, including its elders (notary Michael Gough, magistrate Richard Griffiths, doctor Ian McDiarmid, Reverend Jeffrey Jones- sporting the greatest hairpiece of all-time, and Michael Gambon) believe it the work of a supernatural Headless Horseman.
Whilst conducting his investigations with a degree of scepticism and pomposity towards notions of the supernatural, Ichabod also meets Gambon’s comely daughter Christina Ricci and her stepmother Miranda Richardson.
This Gothic horror story is seemingly more of a tribute to Hammer Horror (despite not being set in Victorian England) by director Tim Burton than a slavishly faithful adaptation of Washington Irving’s famed short story. In fact, story isn’t this film’s strongest asset (the mystery isn’t terribly mysterious, for instance). But who the hell cares when a film looks this good, and is full of unique faces and interesting actors (including Hammer vet, and personal fave of mine, Christopher Lee)? Add to that a charmingly weird star turn by Johnny Depp, and a wonderful gothic atmosphere that instantly sucked me in (I literally wanted to live in this film’s world, even if it cost me my head). Cool “Black Sunday” reference aside, the flashbacks/visions are annoying, though, save for one involving the Horseman himself which is brilliant.
This is easily one of Burton’s best films (loved that tree of the dead, an absolutely sicko idea), and a must for Gothic horror fans (or British horror fans for that matter, or Mario Bava enthusiasts, come to think of it), but not for those who prefer ‘scary’ horror films (that’s not this film’s aim, and nor should it be a prerequisite for any Gothic horror film, it’s about atmosphere).
OVERALL SUMMARY
A wonderfully atmospheric Gothic horror story that might even appeal to non-horror fans. Definitely one of Tim Burton’s career highlights.
