The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Movie VS. Book - Essay Example

?Argumentative Analysis - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Movie VS. Book Over the past few years, the motion picture industry has increased the number of movies based on books, comic books, television series and even remakes of older movies. Though some of these films remain true to the original storyline, many producers change plot lines and even add or change characters to adjust the story for a more Hollywood presentation. Some readers may object to these changes but often these are done for reasons of time constraints and other issues unique to film than are not as restrictive in writing a book. However, in cases such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, more significant changes are made that reflect Burton’s own style but also represent a sharp contrast to the novel by Washington Irving. Though it is difficult to state one story is better or worse than the other, it is clear Burton developed his version with a different audience in mind. The purpose of many novels is to entertain, but often literary works have a different style and goal as is the case in Washington Irving’s story. Irving is a satirical writer which is no doubt an appealing style to Tim Burton. However, Irving used satire to make moral and political statements in his writing and was not intent on entertaining his audience as much as passing judgment on issues during the era in which the story was written. He wanted his message to be informational by using shocking satirical images to gain reader attention. Burton also focuses on shocking tactics but more to the entertainment and amusement of audience who likely would have no understanding of the puritan world in which Irving lived. Though the most basic storyline is similar in both, Burton takes liberties with not only the story but some of the characterization as well. The movie begins with men telling stories around a table rather than the story of Ichabod Crane. However, it is difficult to mimic the story telling aspect of Irving and easier for Burton to start with action and dialogue to start the movie. Yet, Burton does more than alter the sequence of events. The horseman is the most notable difference is the addition of the horseman as a ghost. This dive into the supernatural deviates from Irving’s story. “In Burton's film, the Horseman isn't simply a figure of fear and superstition -- he's the plot itself.” (Enk). While Irving alludes to the concept of ghosts, it does not go beyond a story-telling level in the bool. It is not unexpected to find ghouls and goblins and unusual characters in Burton’s work, but more surprising might be the change in the character of Ichabod Crane as it is not common to change the main character so significantly. In the original story written by Irving, Crane was depicted a weakling schoolteacher who seemed almost incapable and even incoherent at times. “He is lanky and sharp-featured, awkward and somewhat clumsy, but more educated and sophisticated than the native villagers. He is quite fond of food, and is well fed by the neighboring housewives, who share his delight in telling and retelling ghost stories.”(Napierkowski). In Burton's movie adaptation, he is portrayed as lucid detective who used a very calculated scientific method to solve difficult cases. In fact, Crane almost mocks the methods being used at the time and appears ingenious and eccentric at the same time. Though in both stories he is a bit of an outsider who doubts everyone and everything, Burton’s character is certainly eclectic. Both Burton and Irving show imagination but in very different ways. Burton is able to make use of the visual media and eccentric actors such as Depp and Walken to add a darker dimension to the story’s characters not found in the original. Irving relies more on his writing style. “‘‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’’ is a story about stories and story-tellers, and a lesson in keeping the line clear between fiction and reality. The title is significant. Irving identifies this as a legend, a type of story that may be loosely based on truth but is clearly fiction, that may feature the supernatural, that is handed down by a people and that reflects the national character of that people.” (Napierkowski). These changes not only are reflective of Burton’s personality and style, but also of the audience itself as Burton is clearly focused on a younger audience expecting to see a dark movie and to be entertained by the actors themselves and oddity of the characters more than the unique writing style of Irving. This writing style cannot accurately be portrayed in the theater and rather than attempt to do so, Burton chose to use his own stylistic approach. Irving demonstrates some of the moral dilemmas and greater morality issues of the time that may not be apparent to the movie audience unless explained in advance which is not practical in a movie. Irving on the other hand, can portray Crane on a deeper level. “He can easily imagine sacrificing all life to his own; the business of the story, however, is to force him to imagine his own death and ultimately to make that imagination feed and sustain the life of the community.” (von Frank). While Burton’s goal is to entertain, Irving’s goal is make statements and awaken a moral sense in a literary reader who is expected to gain an understanding of human nature and not necessarily be entertained or amused by the story. “Death is absorbed into life. In a realm of such enchantment, there is no clear sign that Ichabod will have a lasting subversive effect on Sleepy Hollow or that anything serious will follow from the necessity that he himself created of expelling him by devious and forceful means. And if in the end there is no lurking worm of guilt, no paradise quite lost, yet it is to be remembered that Irving is attacking, not defending, the Puritan possibilities.” (von Frank). These themes are lost in the film adaptation which may disappoint those who read the story but arguably these themes would not be considered amusing to a modern audience who would expect entertainment and comedy from a Burton film. “Burton could have easily loaded his picture with bombarding amounts of shock value, suspense, and tension filled fright, but instead goes for all out violence, plot, and mystery. Not that this effects the overall production. This is more of an atmospheric movie than a scream feast. The atmosphere is certainly above the average.” (Flesh Farm). In comparing the book and movie, it is essential to be aware of the intention of each work, the nature of the medium by which it is being delivered, and the character of the writer or producer. While the main concept of Irving’s story remains intact, readers of the story will note the lack of moral substance and satirical value found in Irving’s writing but it was not at all Burton’s goal to reproduce that. Instead, Burton has based his general plot on the book but has used visual imagery and a unique comedic style to produce a dark, comical version of the story. Works Cited Albert J. von Frank.  "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Man That Corrupted Sleepy Hollow." Short Stories for Students. Ed. Marie Rose Napierkowski. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale, 1998. January 2006. 16 August 2011. Enk, Bryan. "Sleepy Hollow: Fictionalizing Fiction, The Movie vs. The Book." Heavy movies. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug 2011. . "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Themes." Short Stories for Students. Ed. Marie Rose Napierkowski. Vol. 8. Detroit: Gale, 1998. January 2006. 16 August 2011. "Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow." The flesh Farm. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug 2011. . Read More