Billy's responses were reflected in the way he improved his performance; he almost began to believe in what he was doing. Billy tried to give everything of himself, shaping his acting through the stern manners a person might possess. He refined everything he preferred and improved his performance according to everything the director proposed. During long stretches, he remained absorbed in thought. At times, she would glance at the beautiful Christina Ricci, who had changed her sensual black hair to blonde. Her large eyes carried the radiance of youth; the beauty of youth was a truth that heightened the charm of young women, and the premise seemed born from a lasting elegance.
Her movements were smooth like black silk. Billy deepened his gaze as much as he could, and what emerged was a quiet marvel no one really speaks about. Yet it is comfortable—comfortable to be on set. Each person there is a true worker. Egos are restrained, and the people present hold themselves with care. Some professionals simply work cordially and remain polite in their own way, and that trust allows the work to proceed quickly and efficiently.
Tim Burton reconfigures the story as a tale of mystery and supernatural horror with detective elements, extending its footprint. Ichabod Crane is no longer a schoolteacher as in the original tale; instead, he becomes a forensic investigator sent from New York to Sleepy Hollow to solve a series of murders in which the victims have been decapitated.
Burton transforms the story into a baroque film filled with shadows, misty atmospheres, and sinister landscapes. Billy must portray an Ichabod who is sensitive and rational, yet also fearful and obsessive. However, there is something he must understand: all of that begins to shift when he falls in love—or at least becomes enchanted—by a young Christina who is appropriately mysterious. In that moment, a brave man begins to emerge, one who leaves everything behind and becomes a new interpretation of himself by the end of the film, even though fear continues to grow through the events. In this version, the Headless Horseman is a genuine specter—a brutal former Hessian soldier played by Christopher Walken, resurrected and controlled by a witch to take revenge and eliminate enemies.
-Scene 5. Take 1. -
INT. ICHABOD'S CARRIAGE — DAY
Ichabod examines the contents of a LEATHER BAG resting on his lap. He pauses for a moment, studying the palm of his hand.
Ichabod touches the strange SCARS on both palms: tiny points of tissue evenly dispersed. Many scars. After a moment, he looks back at his pack.
EXT. SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE LONG STRAIGHT ROAD — AFTERNOON
Ichabod stands between two enormous STONE PILLARS. Uncertain, he turns to watch as his carriage departs and leaves him behind.
Ichabod gathers his luggage and walks between the pillars, beginning along the LONG STRAIGHT ROAD. He does not notice the branches above him: THREE DEAD CROWS hanging from a cord.
EXT. SLEEPY HOLLOW, TOWN SQUARE — DUSK
Ichabod continues walking, passing a CHURCH and a CEMETERY. The road is lined with rows of businesses and two-story houses.
Ichabod enters the TOWN SQUARE. An OLD WOMAN stands in her doorway, watching him. Ichabod removes his hat. The woman retreats and closes the door.
Ichabod continues. He looks upward… a MAN closes the shutters of a second-floor window.
As Ichabod proceeds, he notices two or three riflemen posted on rooftops, and when he turns again,n he sees another rifleman atop the church tower. The entire town resembles a Western settlement waiting for an attack.
EXT. WOODEN BUNKER — DUSK
A strange WOODEN BUNKER stands in a field, like a small fortress with an ENORMOUS BELL mounted above it. SEVERAL FARMERS are gathered nearby, all carrying rifles.
Ichabod pauses as he walks, observing this...
A boy, YOUNG MASBATH, about ten years old, approaches the designated rifleman, JONATHAN MASBATH, carrying food and drink: a picnic wrapped in cloth and a bottle of beer. Masbath's father takes the picnic and pats the boy affectionately. He smiles with confidence.
MASBATH FATHER
Don't worry, son.
A farmer approaches to guide young Masbath away while Jonathan heads toward the BUNKER, taking several rifles.
Across the field from the BUNKER, other farmers light torches in a line along the edge of the forest.
Ichabod reflects on this as he walks slowly onward...
EXT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE — DUSK
Ahead, atop a hill, stands the imposing VAN TASSEL MANOR, its windows glowing with light.
-Cut. -
The takes close, though in truth it hardly feels like a pause. In less time than it takes Billy to drink a glass of water, everyone is already moving, preparing different kinds of tasks.
He refused to fall behind, and under the trail of a worthy idea, there was the presence of the crowd—a good idea rising above the simple written appropriations that lasted no more than a passing dance. Apart from that, the entire camera setup and the scene itself remained clear, ready to be drawn again.
-Scene 5. Take 1. -
EXT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, FRONT DOOR — NIGHT
Ichabod sets down his luggage (a suitcase and a leather bag) but keeps his satchel.
Jack-o'-lanterns glow across the porch.
A couple kisses passionately in a dark corner of the porch. The woman is a pretty servant, Sarah. The man is someone we will later know as DOCTOR LANCASTER.
Ichabod nearly collides with them, causing a moment of panic and embarrassment, which Ichabod shares. As he murmurs apologies and opens the door, a ray of light briefly reveals the couple for our future reference.
The open door reveals the MAIN HALL and FOYER...
A harvest party is underway. People are gathered. Soft music drifts from somewhere inside.
INT. VAN TASSEL HOUSE, PARLOR — NIGHT
Ichabod opens a door. MEN and WOMEN eat and drink, speaking quietly in small groups. Ichabod looks around, intimidated, moving forward cautiously...
He bumps into several people, apologizing. He wipes sweat from his forehead and encounters a pretty girl.
ICHABOD
Forgive the intrusion. I'm looking for Baltus
Van Tassel, but...
GIRL
In the parlor, sir, farther ahead.
Ichabod thanks her and continues...
Further ahead, CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, and WOMEN stand in a circle teasing a BLINDFOLDED WOMAN, whom a handsome and broad-shouldered man, BROM VAN BRUNT, spins around. Brom releases the woman. Everyone falls silent, avoiding her searching hands.
The Blindfolded Woman slowly spins, chanting a REFRAIN that makes the CHILDREN—and even some of the younger WOMEN—shiver with pleasant fright. They laugh nervously and then fall quiet.
BLINDFOLDED WOMAN
"The Witch Pick, the Witch Pick, who has a kiss for the Witch Pick?"
She lunges, grasping at the air, but narrowly misses BROM; everyone groans with amused relief. Doctor Lancaster returns to the party, and Sarah as well.
Ichabod tries to pass through toward the far door... and during the NEXT REFRAIN the Blindfolded Woman catches him.
Everyone grows silent. That is the game, but of course,e everyone is puzzled as well—they do not know Ichabod. The woman touches Ichabod's face, which embarrasses him and displeases Brom.
CHILD
A kiss! A kiss!
WOMAN
First, she has to guess.
The WOMAN is a wife, and when she slips her arm through Doctor Lancaster's, we realize she is his wife.
BLINDFOLDED WOMAN
Is it Theodore?
General laughter follows.
ICHABOD
Pardon me, madam. I'm only a stranger.
BLINDFOLDED WOMAN
Then a kiss on account.
She kisses him,im laughing and removes the blindfold, revealing a dazzling beauty: KATRINA VAN TASSEL. She smiles. Ichabod tries to regain his composure, stunned by her presence.
ICHABOD
I... uh, I'm looking for Baltus Van
Tassel.
KATRINA
I am his daughter, Katrina Van
Tassel.
BROM
And who are you, friend? We still don't know your name.
ICHABOD
I haven't said it. My apologies...
Brom grabs Ichabod by the collar. Ichabod looks bewildered.
BROM
You need some education.
KATRINA
Brom!
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
(reproving)
Come now, come now—we don't want raised voices...
We now see the voice belongs to BALTUS VAN TASSEL, a self-made working man with a compassionate smile.
BALTUS
It is only to bring a little cheer
in these dark times that my
good wife and I are giving this small
party...
LADY VAN TASSEL stands behind him, a mixture of simple wife and well-kept lady. Brom releases Ichabod. The children hide behind Katrina.
Ichabod feels relieved to have a proper point of focus. Others from the group gather around.
BALTUS
Young sir, you are welcome here—even if you're selling something.
His kindness relaxes the atmosphere around Ichabod.
ICHABOD
Thank you, sir. I am Constable Ichabod Crane, sent from New York with authority to investigate a murder in Sleepy Hollow.
The revelation makes a powerful impact.
-Cut. -
-Hey, good work. - Billy commented to Christina, who answered with a crooked smile.
-I think we should do a few additional takes, but you're very good at this. - Billy replied.
Now offering a faint smile, he prepared himself to repeat the entire scene again and perhaps adjust certain points of view. Tim wanted to film a few different variations of the scene—more intimate ones—refining the work even further.
...