--- title: "Sleepy Hollow: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Sleepy Hollow (1999): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 10 reviews: 7 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Sleepy Hollow an entertaining gothic horror film, with praise clustering around Tim Burton’s eerie atmosphere and visual craftsmanship. Mist, shadow and flashes of blood red receive more consistent attention than the mystery itself. The reviews admire the production design and effects, while Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane draws praise as an appealing lead. Several critics also welcome the dark comedy and grotesque performances, finding pleasure in Burton’s imaginative approach to horror. Enthusiasm varies, but the balance is favourable, with mixed assessments rather than outright dismissals. Reservations centre on repetitive killings, an increasingly complicated plot and a climax that strains for effect. The Guardian finds that the detective story does not quite fit the supernatural and fairy-tale elements; Total Film sees the early eeriness giving way to pantomime. Gore is another qualification: the Los Angeles Times suggests that enjoyment depends partly on tolerance for it. ## Empire — Bob McCabe Fi1m's normalised score 84/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The review finds Sleepy Hollow a richly imagined, beautiful slice of fear, despite some wearisome fainting and an overly melodramatic climax. It especially praises Burton’s shadowy, mist-filled visual world and the film’s striking use of blood red. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/sleepy-hollow-review/) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. Jones calls the film a beautifully crafted gothic whodunnit. He praises its cast, especially Johnny Depp, and Burton’s use of classic Hammer horror style. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-sqjwta/sleepy-hollow/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 19 November 1999. Ebert finds the film an entertaining, visually rich take on the legend. He especially praises Burton’s eerie atmosphere and striking visual design. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sleepy-hollow-1999) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 1999. Turan finds the film an exquisitely mounted, creepy and darkly comic showcase for Tim Burton, though its appeal depends on viewers’ tolerance for gore. He especially praises its ravishing autumnal atmosphere and visual design. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-19-ca-35107-story.html) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 1999. Maslin regards the film as an entertaining, macabre spectacle. She singles out its striking visual design for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/19/movies/film-review-headless-horseman-with-quite-a-head-count.html) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 1999. McCarthy finds the film stylish and entertaining, though its repetitive killings and narrow focus limit its resonance. He especially praises the visual craftsmanship, including the production design, cinematography, costumes, and effects. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/sleepy-hollow-1200459730/) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2000. French finds the film an engaging, handsome and scary entertainment, though its detective story does not quite gel with its fairy-tale and supernatural elements. He praises its excellent special effects and finds Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane an attractive hero. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Observer_review/0,,120464,00.html) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page labels this a review, but its verdict is unavailable in the supplied content. No particular strength or weakness can be identified from the metadata. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/sleepy-hollow) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 7 January 2000. The review calls the film entertaining but uneven, with a plot that grows convoluted and slips into pantomime. It praises the eerie early atmosphere and the Headless Horseman as a fiendish, terrifying triumph. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/sleepy-hollow-review/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2001. The critic gives the film an enthusiastic endorsement, celebrating Burton’s imaginative, dreamlike approach to horror. He particularly praises its haunting atmosphere, visual effects, and richly grotesque performances. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/sleepy-hollow-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md