The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

I've been a Sleepy Hollow affectionado ever since i saw the animated Disney classic as a kid, and I suppose I've seen pretty much every version from TV, movies, and cartoons since the 1950's. In many ways, the Disney one is still my favorite. I loved the Tim Burton film with Johnny Depp, but something about it wasn't right. In a world where Biblical names were commonplace, "Ichabod" is a most unflattering name, meaning "the glory has departed" - but Ichabod Crane, originally NOT the nicest of men, has become a hero over the years. Depp's Ichabod was too handsome and brave, and there were no NYC police in 1799, let alone forensics specialists. And so Jeff Goldblum remains probably the best-cast Ichabod Crane of all time. He has a look similar to the Disney one, but he has a much more pleasant manner, Burton's film, is ghostly and mysterious and well done. The subplot with a brutish Brom Bones (wasn't Bram the hunky one?) and a girl friend (NOT Katrina)ain't that great - but the overall film is very enjoyable, and seems to have quite a fan following. A good Halloween tale for all ages.

Yes, I realize that this is a made-for-TV film with a less- than-stellar budget. And yes, I realize that it deviates a bit from Washington Irving's original short story.

HOWEVER, this remains my single favorite version of Sleepy Hollow committed to film! Who better to play Icabod Crane than lean, lanky, bumbling Jeff Goldblum at his early and most Goldblum- y? I love the development of all the characters, the setting, the costuming, and the banter. I love the superstitious, but well-meaning, townspeople. You can truly feel the connection of a community that knows one another perhaps a bit too well. Even the music score has a haunting, albeit distinctly 80s, atmosphere.

This is the version I grew up on. It is a point of nostalgia and personal taste for me, and I REALLY, REALLY wish it was available on DVD!

We've seen the tale of Ichabod Crane plenty of times before (Too many) but this is by far my favourite at time of writing.

Starring Jeff Goldblum as the man himself, and the tantalising Meg Foster this comedy take on the timeless classic is one of the most charming movies I've seen lately.

When Ichabod Crane a school teacher arrives in Sleepy Hollow for his new job he discovers a town full of believers in superstition, ghosts and the infamous headless horseman. Being an educated man he doesn't believe, but then night time comes.....

It's hard to believe this came out approximately 7 days before I was born! And credit where credit is due it actually looks great for its time.

Charming, whimsical, genuinely funny and well performed this is everything that Sleepy Hollow (1999) thoroughly failed to be.

Sure it's not without its flaws and I wasn't keen on the ending, but regardless this is a lot of fun.

The Good:

Meg Foster

Meg Fosters eyes

Very charming

Really quite funny in places

The Bad:

Dodgy ending

Some heavy changes to the original material

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Meg Fosters eyes steal every scene of every movie she is in

I strongly believe that Sunn Schick Productions did posterity a great service. This film and Deerslayer are only two of the many films they did in the 1970's. Do you remember the Life & Times of Grizzly Adams ? They made that too.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow is as clear to Washington Irving's story as I can tell and they kept it in tact without this SDFX mess that so many newer films use now. Jeff Goldblum shines as Icabod and the cast are all favorites, including Mr. Woodman from Welcome Back Kotter as the elderly helper who looks after the school building.

I would rank this and all the Sunn Schick films a 10++ See if whenever you can get a copy.

I love this version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Jeff Goldblum is the best Ichabod Crane I have ever seen. Unfortunately, I have only seen it maybe every other Halloween, shown on various local stations that don't advertise their lineups in the TV guide. Also unfortunately, the film is aging poorly so every year it gets a little fuzzier. But it doesn't feel like Halloween until you see Goldblum's stammering and Adam's apple bobbing and the lovely romance emphasized in this version. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be remastered and put on DVD. Am I crazy? Yes, but I can hope.