While both Irving and Burton’s versions of Sleepy Hollow share the same title and
characters, the true content and message underneath each version are quite
different. Irving’s version of the story is focused more on the main character
Ichabod Crane and is delivered with a light, or neutral tone, while Burton’s version
of Sleepy Hollow centered on the
supernatural events related to the Headless Horseman, delivered with much more somberness.
Irving’s version of Sleepy Hollow is conveyed in quite an
indifferent tone. Although the village of Sleepy Hollow is depicted as an area
with mild supernatural qualities, it still isn’t haunted, and is just like any
other villages of that time for the most part. They have abundant supply of
crops and cattle, people are rather welcoming compared to Burton’s villagers,
and there is no irrational fear about the apparitions and other supernatural
beings amongst the people. Irving’s Sleepy
Hollow simply tells the story of Ichabod Crane’s stay in Sleepy Hollow,
without going much in detail about ghosts and spirits. Burton’s version of Sleepy Hollow, on the other hand, is
more of a horror story, and puts so great of an emphasis on the headless
horseman that the entire story revolves around it. Burton’s version of Irving’s
story differs in many ways, but the differences between the two versions are
the atmosphere and setting in which the tale is told in. The movie Sleepy Hollow fully utilizes low-key
lighting to generate an eerie, unsettling atmosphere than puts audience on the
edge. The sky is always cloudy and dark, and the air is filled with blinding
fog, and there is barely any natural lighting. In addition, the story takes
place in winter unlike Irving’s version of story. The characteristics of a
winter, such as barren fields and exposed tree branches adds to the eeriness of
the story visually. The dynamic between Crane and the villagers are also quite
different. While Irving’s Crane is well received by a number of villagers, Burton’s
Crane doesn’t seem to be too welcomed at Sleepy Hollow. Such fundamental
differences in the setting of story turned a regular tale to a powerful horror
story
You're right; the Irving story was pretty neutral. Nothing of actual ghostliness happened for sure. It is simply the tale of a very freaked out man in a strange town. After seeing the movie, I would have expected the story to be a little crazier. But I really like how Burton makes it more interesting by focusing on the tales told by the townspeople and making them very real. We actually get to see the Headless Horseman in action, and all of a sudden the ghost stories are tangible. This of course is completed with the typical Burton atmosphere, as you mentioned. Low key lighting, fog, fantastical woods and music. Burton turns a somewhat boring story into an exciting horror/ murder mystery film. Well done as always Tim Burton!
ReplyDelete~ Lydia Kolda
I did not think of contrast of what the two films focus on. The film does focus on the supernatural as a whole throughout while the story works to truly show who Ichabod Crane is.It is strange the such a horror and gore filled film would actually result from a very "indifferent" less spooky ghost story and the main difference is the truth of the story. I think Burton's version is an answer to the questions left up to the reader in the story. The film answers YES the story is true and audiences see the horseman visually, while the story never reveals the truth. Although he changed a lot, I still enjoy and love this movie, saying something about what Burton is capable of accomplishing.
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