Sleepy Hollow

AMG Review of Sleepy Hollow

Heather Phares
All Music Guide

Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow reunites the distinctive director with his equally noteworthy musical collaborator, Danny Elfman. His orchestral score for the film features the mix of darkness and wonder that has graced Burton's previous films and other fantasy and horror movies like Army of Darkness and Dolores Claiborne. Much of Sleepy Hollow's score is grim and tense, using eerie strings, haunting vocals, and ominous brass and percussion to convey the supernatural suspense of Burton's version of Washington Irving's classic tale. However, Elfman also captures the ethereal, romantic side of the story on gentle woodwind and string pieces. A highly dramatic, evocative score, Sleepy Hollow may or may not be enjoyable listening outside of the film's context, but it definitely adds another level of depth to an already compelling movie.