Theme of Horror in the Sleepy Hollow

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Theme of Horror in the Sleepy Hollow

The film Sleepy Hollow is a fantasy/gothic horror film; the rating 15

tells us it probably has some gore in it. As we watch the film, some

parts could also be described as thriller. The director Tim Burton is

known for his love of Hammer horror films and before starting work on

this film he encouraged his team to watch Hammer horror films like

"Black Sunday" and "The Fearless Vampire Killers", as this was the

effect he wanted to put across in Sleepy Hollow. The film focuses on

images or darkness, conflict, references to torture, isolation,

ghosts, violence and a sense of questioning.

As far as main characters go, Burton chose an all-star cast of actors

of whom he thought were suitable for the parts in Sleepy Hollow.

Burton chose Johnny Depp to play lead character, Ichabod Crane. Depp

plays a bit of over top acting, which is the usual style of Hammer

horror films. Crane is squeamish and uptight; he also has some romance

in this story, but is not a typical romantic lead character.

Actress Christina Ricci plays the daughter of the richest man in

Sleepy Hollow. Katrina Van Tassel is very innocent and fond of love

stories, which is why she immediately falls for Ichabod on his

arrival. Katrina seeks something more than just Sleepy Hollow though.

Competing with Ichabod for Katrina's heart, Casper Van Dien plays Brom

Van Brunt.

Lady Van Tassel, Katrina's stepmother and matriarch of the Van Tassel

estate, was chosen to be Miranda Richardson. As her husband, Baltus

Van Tassel sees one of England's most admired actors, Michael Gambon

playing the richest man in Sleepy Hollow.

A cameo role a...

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... does show a lot of stereotypical gothic horror graphics. This like

blood and gore, which the viewer expects from a film in the genre.

What makes "Sleepy Hollow" different is Burton's use of the monochrome

of colour and the new element this adds to this horror. Also, his use

of things like the church and bible are made to have a horror effect

about them.

Elfman's use of music, especially by the two choirs bought in created

the haunting sounds very well. All the music used was done so in a

significant and effective way. The lighting in a film like this is a

very important signifier and the way it was used helped convey the

atmosphere of the scene's we were watching.

What is great is that Burton took something unreal and made it real.

All in all, every element of the film made it enjoyable for a range of

viewers.

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