Villains We Love: The Headless Horseman
Filed under: Horror, Johnny Depp, Scenes We Love
While other countries have headless riders roaming their empty places, I believe America can lay claim to The Headless Horseman. Born out of the mists of early America, the Horseman is a vengeful, anonymous Hessian who lost his head to a cannonball during the American Revolution. While it's popularly assumed he rides around looking for his head (and claiming any he comes across along the way), he actually has it resting on the pommel of his saddle. He doesn't need a new head. He's just sadistic.
As a kid, I firmly believed the Hessian was a real Sleepy Hollow legend, and finding out that he was just an invention by Washington Irving was a bitter disappointment. But now I find it impressive that a mere short story has worked itself so deeply into American folklore to become one of our most iconic horror characters. He's enigmatic and elegant in his hunting, traits that have survived Disney and Scooby-Doo without losing a shred of scariness. He really should be allowed to ride across movie screens more often. The wonderful thing about legend (even if it's not a real one that owes its existence purely to Irving) is that not one version is definitive, and any good writer or filmmaker can explore its murkier corners.
Though I love the Disney version with all my heart (like many kids, it's how I first encountered the story) I'm including a scene from Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow below the jump. I was disappointed by it when I first saw it in theaters (I still question the production designer's decision to just plunk the bridge in the middle of town), but its chilly atmosphere and Hammer stylings have grown on me. 18th Century America is one of my favorite topics for horror and history, and Burton painted a delicious nightmare version of it. If only he hadn't chosen to give the Hessian such a familiar face ....
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-22-2009 @ 9:50PM
Tony le Stephanois said...
Well played Elisabeth, well played.
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10-25-2009 @ 7:13PM
IndyB said...
The Tim Burton version of Sleepy Hollow is AWESOME. It has just the right amount of romance, horror, comedy and adventure. The story was changed, yes. But it was definitely changed for the better.
10-24-2009 @ 8:05PM
Jeremy said...
I've always loved the story of the Headless Horseman, too. The character and the story are both very iconic and legendary. It's a nice, spooky Halloween story and I love that. I have not seen Sleepy Hollow, but I have seen the Disney version, as well as the movie The Hollow and an Are You Afraid of the Dark episode called The Midnight Ride, which is based on this story. I'm glad to see that someone else loves and appreciates an old-fashioned, but awesome 'ghost story'.
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10-23-2009 @ 1:44AM
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10-23-2009 @ 8:56AM
TC said...
Good article. Having grown up in the area and attended Sleepy Hollow High School, our mascot adorned the school and athletic teams "The Horseman" was part of everyday. but as a child it was chilling around halloween to think the Horseman was out there and might chase you across the bridge! Its a wonderful character, thank you Mr Irving for its creation and to Mr Burton for bringing it to the big screen for another generation. As an adult it was thrilling to see his real identity.....Christopher Walken!!!
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10-23-2009 @ 8:25AM
tcampag said...
Great artilcle. Haveing grown up in the area and attended Sleepy Hollow High School, The Horseman, our mascot, was part of our everyday life. As a child it was chilling to know that the Horseman was out there somewhere and might chase you. Thank you Mr Irving for creating such a great character, and thank you Mr Burton for bringing it to the big screen for another generation. As an adult it was awesome to find out the Horseman's true identity.....Christopher Walken!!
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10-23-2009 @ 9:56AM
mdk said...
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