Sleepy Hollow (film)

Lore & Background

Sleepy Hollow began development in 1993 at Paramount Pictures, with Kevin Yagher originally set to direct Andrew Kevin Walker's script as a low-budget slasher film. Disagreements with Paramount resulted in Yagher being demoted to prosthetic makeup designer, and Burton was hired to direct in June 1998. Filming took place from November 1998 to May 1999. The film was an international co-production between Germany and the United States.

Reader's Guide

The film follows New York City police constable Ichabod Crane, who is sent to investigate a series of brutal murders in the upstate village of Sleepy Hollow. There he becomes romantically involved with Katrina Van Tassel, daughter of the richest resident. The plot involves decapitations blamed on a headless Hessian mercenary, and Ichabod uses modern science and deduction to solve the crimes. The film had its world premiere at Mann's Chinese Theatre on November 17, 1999, and was released in the United States on November 19, by Paramount Pictures. It received positive reviews from critics and grossed $207 million. It won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The cast includes Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, Christina Ricci as Katrina Van Tassel, Miranda Richardson as Lady Mary Van Tassel and the Crone, Michael Gambon as Baltus Van Tassel, Casper Van Dien as Brom Van Brunt, Jeffrey Jones as Reverend Steenwyck, Christopher Lee as the Burgomaster, Richard Griffiths as Samuel Philipse, Ian McDiarmid as Thomas Lancaster, Michael Gough as James Hardenbrook, and Christopher Walken as the Hessian Horseman.

Did You Know?

• The film is based on Washington Irving's 1820 short story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'.
• Kevin Yagher was originally set to direct as a low-budget slasher film but was demoted to prosthetic makeup designer.
• Filming took place from November 1998 to May 1999.
• The film won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.