Product Description

Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 08/19/2003 Run time: 91 minutes Rating: Nr

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3934 in DVD
• Brand: Lions Gate
• Released on: 2003-08-19
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 91 minutes

From the Back Cover
Starring Tony Award® winner Brent Carver and Rachelle Lefevre, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow faithfully recounts the classic Washington Irbing tale, successfully capturing the mystery and romance that have eluded other screen efforts. Connecticut Yankee Ichabod Crane (Carver) arrives in the rural Dutch community of Sleepy Hollow and assumes his post as the new schoolteacher. Though the outsider is widely regarded with suspicion, the daughter of the area's wealthiest farmer, Katrina Van Tassel (Lefevre), is charmed by his manners and education. But Ichabod's attentions to the lovely Katrina are not welcomed by handsome blacksmith Brom Bones (Paul Lemelin), and when Brom tries to scare Ichabod by posing as the "Headless Hosrseman" of local legend, they are paid an unexpected visit - leaving behind a mystery that has enthralled audiences for generations.

Customer Reviews

Great for the classroom
I love this movie for how simple, entertaining and close to the original story it is. I am a 6th grade teacher, and for the past two years my class has read the story and watched this movie version. Last year, my kids said that it was much better than the gory Tim Burton one. I am so excited to be able to buy a copy since my taped-from-TV copy is getting worn from use!

Much better than Burton's version!
Sorry, but I strongly disagree with the other reviews here about this version of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Tim Burton's version, whilst midly entertaining, is a travesty of an adaption of the original story by Washington Irving. As a historian, I highly recommend this version, given it's faithfulness to the original story, and it's overall authentic portrayal of life in 1790's America. There are a few details that they get wrong, such as Squire Van Tassel's statement that the Battle of Sleepy Hollow was in 1774, a year before the Revolution began, but overall, someone did some research for this version. The costumes, material culture displayed, the portrayal of the Dutch "Yorkers" and their contempt for "Yankees" and taxes -- I would use this in my history class.

In short, if "it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Burton's version is just another historical, inauthentic and inaccurate mess that history teachers, librarians and museum folks have to clean up.

This one is on my shelf, right next to "The Devil and Daniel Webster", another classic of American folklore and literature.

OK Version of "Sleepy Hollow": Worth Watching for Brent Carver's Ichabod Crane Alone
If there is one good thing about this made-for-TV "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (produced by Canadian company Muse Entertainment and presented by Hallmark Entertainment), it is Brent Carver and his authentic portrayal of Ichabod Crane. From the very first moment when he appears on the deserted hill standing still like a scarecrow, Brent Carver becomes Ichabod Crane, lanky schoolmaster who has just arrived in secluded Sleepy Hollow.

This Muse/Hallmark version is more faithful to Washington Irving's original short story than Tim Burton's Gothic horror adaptation. Probably some viewers would welcome the film's faithfulness while others might complain for the same reason. Though the production designs are convincing and photography is decent, the flat storytelling about the fate of hapless Ichabod and his romance is rather dull, lacking mood and nuance. Scenes of Headless Horseman are acceptable, but not outstanding.

After watching Johnny Depp's performance as Ichabod, you may find the snobbish character of Ichabod a little off-putting at first, but Carver's fine performance and his nice comic touch makes him very human just like the counterpart in Irving's original. I think Katrina Van Tassel by Rachelle Lefevre is just OK, but sadly Paul Lemelin, who plays Brom Bones, is awfully miscast. He just doesn't look like the character from Irving's book and his acting needs much improvement.

You may show this TV version in class (no beheading is included), but students might find it boring. Not a totally bad adaptation, but still uninspired, except Carver's superb performance as Ichabod Crane.