Sleepy Hollow Film
Tim Burton’s film, Sleepy Hollow, is very loosely based on the original story by Washington Irving. Burton’s adaptation created Ichabod as the essence of cool by casting Johnny Depp in the role, while the original story portrays Ichabod Crane, or “Ichy” as I like to call him, as a foppish, socially awkward, lanky man, easily spooked by his superstitious nature.
Burton’s film employs Ichabod Crane as a detective, come to solve the mysterious murders in Sleepy Hollow. In the original story Irving writes Ichabod as a schoolmaster - and not a very kind one.
The blooming Katrina causes contention between Ichy and Brom Bones. Johnny Depp’s Ichabod wins Katrina in the end, while the original story leaves everyone wondering if Ichabod is dead or alive and Brom Bones escorts Katrina down the aisle.
Tim Burton’s film took full advantage of the ambiance this superstitious village provided for a horror story; using the characters, places, and ghost stories shared in Sleepy Hollow as a basis for the film. Our stage production tells the story in Washington Irving’s original words. It’s always fascinating to see how different films can be from the original source. What did the author really say? How does the story really go? Even though our production doesn’t employ Johnny Depp, Irving’s story has enough “cool” for an amazing, original experience.
To find out more about Burton’s film visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162661
Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane in Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow
Carl Barlow as Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in Concert