|
Review added January 13, 2005.
Sleepy Hollow
:: DVD Review |
|
.
. |
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
Studio:
Roadshow Entertainment |
|
>> Review
Equipment |
|
Video:
1.78:1 (Enhanced for 16:9) |
|
Length:
101
Minutes |
|
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 (448kbps) En |
|
Subtitles: Eng |
|
Dolby Digital 2.0 (224kbps) En |
|
Disc Format:
RSDL DVD-9 |
|
Video Format:
PAL |
|
Disc Capacity Utilised:
7.06GB |
|
Layer Change:
75:49 |
|
Region Coding:
4 |
|
Average Bit-Rate (A+V):
6.71Mbps |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
.
. |
|
:: The Film
:: |
|
>> Skip to
Audio/Video Details
Sleepy Hollow is a somewhat
liberal adaptation of Washington Irving's American classic
'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. At its heart, the film is a
conventional murder mystery (albeit with a supernatural
twist), but the visual flair of director Tim Burton combined
with an outstanding cast make Sleepy Hollow a unique
cinematic experience. Johnny Depp plays Ichabod Crane, an
18th century (1799 to be specific) police constable sent
from New York City to the small town of Sleepy Hollow
following the mysterious decapitations of three local
townsfolk.
Crane favours a scientific
approach to criminal investigation, an approach regarded
with some disdain by his superiors, and sees the case as an
opportunity to prove the value of his somewhat
unconventional techniques.
|
 |
|
Upon his arrival, Crane quickly
learns that a scientific approach may be of little value
against the decidedly supernatural forces at work (in the
spectral form of the sword-wielding Headless Horseman,
played by Christopher Walken).
Despite some initial shock, Crane determines to discover the
cause of the town's little 'problem' regardless of its
nature. Complicating matters, Crane also finds himself
smitten with Katrina Van Tassel (played by Christina Ricci),
the beautiful daughter of local leading citizen Baltus Van
Tassel (Michael Gambon), who may be more involved with the
case than first thought.
Sleepy Hollow is a visually stunning film,
and deservedly won the 1999 Academy Award for Best Art
Direction. Burton clearly intended Sleepy Hollow to be a
tribute to Hammer's classic horror films, even going so far
as to include a cameo by Hammer regular Christopher Plummer.
Many of the film's visual cues are also strongly reminiscent
of Hammer's '60s classics. As might be expected, the film
includes a great deal of Tim Burton's trademark gothic
imagery, and an impressively powerful score from Danny
Elfman. The cast is also worthy of note, with a particularly
good performance from Johnny Depp as the effete Crane, and
excellent performances from Miranda Richardson, Michael
Gambon and Jeffrey Jones. Recommended.
|
|
| ::
Video
:: |
.
. |
|
This is my first experience with a Roadshow Entertainment
DVD, and I'm quite impressed (at least with the transfer,
their cropping of supplemental material is another matter
altogether). This 1.78:1 anamorphically-enhanced transfer
is stunning, producing a superbly natural and film-like
image. The picture is impressively sharp and clear, with
the smallest details visible at all times. Although much
of the colour in the film has been deliberately
de-saturated, colours are perfectly rendered and
impressively vibrant.
During several interior and dream sequences
colour levels were absolutely stunning, but colours are
never less than exemplary. Blacks are very deep and solid,
although there is little in the way of shadow detail (an
intentional effect). A few minor distractions included
some occasional digital noise in blacks, minor gate jitter
in the film's first few minutes, and a few grainy scenes
(70:10 and 78:37), but the picture is otherwise superb.
Despite the abundance of fog and the dominance of dark
scenes, there were no visible digital artefacts, and the
disc's transfer-rate hovered in the 6-8Mb/s range most of
the time, peaking at nearly 10Mb/s. No visible shimmer or
aliasing was present at any time. This transfer easily
earns five stars.
|
|
|
.
. |
| :: Audio
:: |
.
. |
|
|
This Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is quite impressive, not
just for its overall design, but for its exemplary fidelity.
Danny Elfman's score is superbly recorded, with pristine highs
and solid bass. I only wish more soundtracks sounded this
clean. The front channels contain occasional audio pans and
frequent directional cues, although effects tended to collapse
into the centre channel during quieter scenes. Dynamic range
was impressive, and LFE used effectively to support the film's
score and during sonically aggressive sequences.
I was particularly impressed with
the LFE reinforcement of the Headless Horseman's steed, and
the numerous thunderclaps spread throughout the film. The
surround channels are used sparingly, although the film's
score is often spread through all channels. The overall
soundstage is very much front oriented.
Dialogue is always clear and easy to
understand, but with a few instances of pegging (as at 12:29
and 33:56) and some occasional sibilance. ADR is generally
well integrated, with only a handful of noticeable lapses (as
at 11:45). This is an excellent soundtrack and sure to
impress. Four and a half stars.
|
|
|
.
. |
|
|
