Seeing that it's Halloween I figure now is as good a time as any to talk about the Sleepy Hollow Portion of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. I don't think I need to describe this to anyone here as I pretty sure most of you have seen this film at one point or another given that it's one of Disney's Most Popular short films but what I do want to talk about is how this is one of the more faithful adaptations Disney has made while still having that classic Disney feel.
Case in point the film keeps the overall idea that the three main focus characters are all kinda unlikable jerks. Ichabod is a gold digger who's interest in Katrina is solely down to her looks and the fact that marrying her will make him rich. Brom is a possessive jock who gets angry any time someone makes eye contract with Katrina and Katrina herself is something of an attention whore and more then a bit manipulative or at least implied to be.
Yet all three are also likeable enough that you don't really want anything bad to happen to any of them. This is a hard balance to hit and the film pulls it off brilliantly which is why despite a mixed reception at the time of release the film is now seen as a classic.
And of course the climax of the movie. This is where the film deviates most from the book as in the original novel it heavily hints that Headless Horseman is just Brom while the Disney film hints that the Horsemen is real with the most notable evidence being when Ichabod looking right down the Horseman's neck and is horrified by what he sees. It's still ambiguous as Ichabod's perspective is unreliable as shown in everything leading up to the chase so what we see is just how he sees it.
On the whole this is a fun film and if you haven't checked it out I highly recommend it as it's a lot of fun and a great film to watch for Halloween.
Disney's Sleepy Hollow aka the Most Faithful Adaptation Disney Has Ever Made
Re: Disney's Sleepy Hollow aka the Most Faithful Adaptation Disney Has Ever Made
I love to watch this one each year, and I never get tired of the wonderful songs. Bing's voice just nails it.
Re: Disney's Sleepy Hollow aka the Most Faithful Adaptation Disney Has Ever Made
I don't think the movie gives up as much ambiguity as you do. Ichabod's reaction is to the booming laugh, not what he sees (or more likely, does not see). I'm not sure we can read any explicit physicality or supernaturality to the Horseman and therefore the ending of the Disney version. They do make sure to leave the viewer with the rumors of the aftermath, after all...Winter wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:41 pm And of course the climax of the movie. This is where the film deviates most from the book as in the original novel it heavily hints that Headless Horseman is just Brom while the Disney film hints that the Horsemen is real with the most notable evidence being when Ichabod looking right down the Horseman's neck and is horrified by what he sees. It's still ambiguous as Ichabod's perspective is unreliable as shown in everything leading up to the chase so what we see is just how he sees it.
