Film Flare's Film Diary 2013/4

A hearty monday to you all.

Another long toil of a Monday is bettered by the appearance of Film Flare, the collection of words that deal with films and stuff.

Let the collection commence:

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Oh hello Tim Burton film with Johnny Depp. The modern classic combination have worked together to produce fine pieces of work before but Sleepy Hollow certainly ranks up there with my favourite.

However, watching it again for the first time in maybe a decade and several things stand out. First of all, the cast is BEASTLY! Apart from Depp and Ricci, the film also stars Christopher Walken, Christopher Lee, Michael Gambon, Martin Landau, Miranda Richardson and Richard Griffiths. That's a quality list of folks there folks.

Now, being honest, the film is little more than a very gothic slasher film. Luckily, With Burton on deck, the gothic elements are fantastic. Eerie settings are exquisitely shot, the peripheral weather and music all help to ratchet up not only the tension but the gothic elements of the film. The town of Sleepy Hollow itself is almost a character, creaking floorboards and doors, an old wooden bridge, old, gnarled trees and warped glass in windows.

The slasher elements also work well, the deaths are graphic, tense and unexpected and whilst the origins of the horseman isn't quite explored as well as you'd hope, watching the horseman ride about the place is terrifying. Indeed the plot isn't the film's strong point, it is much more a film for the senses than the mind.

All in all though, the film is great (and sometimes gory) fun and well worth a watch.

Trailer: