[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    EmmysSuperheroes GuideSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

  • TV Movie
  • 1980
  • PG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
904
YOUR RATING
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980)
ComedyFantasyHorror

Angered that Katrina has grown fond of schoolmaster Crane, Brom Bones determines to scare off the interloper by filling his head with spooky tales of a Headless Horseman. Crane disparages th... Read allAngered that Katrina has grown fond of schoolmaster Crane, Brom Bones determines to scare off the interloper by filling his head with spooky tales of a Headless Horseman. Crane disparages the legends, until one fateful ride home in the dark of night.Angered that Katrina has grown fond of schoolmaster Crane, Brom Bones determines to scare off the interloper by filling his head with spooky tales of a Headless Horseman. Crane disparages the legends, until one fateful ride home in the dark of night.

  • Director
    • Henning Schellerup
  • Writers
    • Malvin Wald
    • Jack Jacobs
    • Thomas C. Chapman
  • Stars
    • Jeff Goldblum
    • Paul Sand
    • Meg Foster
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    904
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Henning Schellerup
    • Writers
      • Malvin Wald
      • Jack Jacobs
      • Thomas C. Chapman
    • Stars
      • Jeff Goldblum
      • Paul Sand
      • Meg Foster
    • 26User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos10

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast14

    Edit
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jeff Goldblum
    • Ichabod Crane
    Paul Sand
    Paul Sand
    • Frederic Dutcher
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Katrina Van Tassel
    Laura Campbell
    • Thelma Dumkey
    Dick Butkus
    Dick Butkus
    • Brom Bones
    James Griffith
    James Griffith
    • Squire Van Tassel
    Michael Ruud
    • Winthrop Palmer
    Karin Isaacson
    H.E.D. Redford
    • Karl
    Tiger Thompson
    Tiger Thompson
    • Ted Dumkey
    Jean Coulter
    Jean Coulter
    • Singer
    John Sylvester White
    John Sylvester White
    • Fritz Vanderhoof
    Michael Witt
    • Jan Van Tassel
    Marneen Fields
    Marneen Fields
    • Singer #1
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Henning Schellerup
    • Writers
      • Malvin Wald
      • Jack Jacobs
      • Thomas C. Chapman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews26

    6.0904
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6Warren-Watched-A-Movie

    A Fun TV Adaption

    When I was little this for me was the definitive version of the story. It did not matter I never actually read it until I was in my teens. This was Halloween appointment television for me. By the time I remember encountering this I was familiar with Jeff Goldblum's turn in Invasion of the Body Snatchers and I love that movie so catching him in this was a real treat for me. I think this cemented my fandom of Jeff Goldblum.

    And who better to play the character of Ichabod Crane other than Jeff Goldblum. Goldblum fits the literary description of Crane perfectly. He is tall, thin, and lanky just like the character is described. When it comes to Goldblum, it is clear by this movie that he had his acting technique down pat. Every nervous tick and stutter and inflection that he is famous for was on full display here.

    In the book Ichabod was a believer in the supernatural as well as seeking a bride to better his station in life. Here he is a fervent doubter who eventually becomes convinced who is good guy just trying to make his way in the world. This is one of several differences between this TV movie and the source. As a child I was unaware of this but now that I am, I can forgive it. I just cannot see Goldblum pulling off being a believer in this role.

    Meg Foster was cast as the object of Ichabod's love, the young Katrina Van Tassel. That woman has some of the most fascinating eyes I have ever seen. She is a deep voiced actress with very pale blue eyes. She turns in a fine performance as she often does. In the book Katrina is supposed to be 18 and I believe at this point Foster was in her early 30s.

    Aside from the performances of Goldblum and Foster, the acting is pretty mediocre. Dick Butkus, while entertaining, was no great actor here. He was a well-known name, so I am assuming that is why he got cast. I will say though that further down the road his acting did improve. By the time Blue Thunder rolled around, which was not too far from this, he was much better than he is here. There was no emotion or inflection in his delivery. He sounded like a dad reading to his kids a story he hated.

    We have an original character in the form of widow Thelma Dumkey (Laura Campbell). Her inclusion gives what can best be described as a romcom subplot to the film as she plots with Katrina. Katrina wants Ichabod while Thelma wants Brom. Why I am not sure. It just is. Brom is no catch here.

    At times the film bordered on camp. In particular the actor playing the previous schoolmaster Winthrop Palmer (Michael Ruud) was just goofy in his performance. He was quite the ham here and not in the good John Colicos way. It was in a cringy, bad community theater by someone who does not realize it is just community theater way. Palmer is supposed to be crazy by the time of the film, but it just does not work.

    The script though was better than expected. Even when I am unaware of changes to the source material, I tend to react poorly when it is done. It rarely works on any level. I never reacted like that. The changes fit in with the narrative and did not cause any significant deviations or halt the film's flow. Ichabod remaining in Sleepy Hollow and getting a happily ever after with Katrina worked largely because this change was not abrupt but rather the groundwork had been laid for it from the beginning.

    I do not know if it is because of when this TV movie was made or what but during the day it is really bright in this movie and at night it's very poorly lit. It is the difference between 20/20 vision and Helen Keller at times. When filming, there is dark because it is night and dark to set a mood at night and dark because the budget limited the number of lights. I think the issue was the third item.

    I do give them that the costumes looked good here. Not great but better than cheap costume shop items. My issue was that they were so dark in color that at night the characters tended to disappear into the blackness. It made the already difficult task of visually following the action that much harder.

    The Legend of sleepy Hollow was a childhood favorite of mine that has not aged too badly. While it tries nothing new or inventive, it is a good piece of comfort food to watch. It is available in its entirety on YouTube.
    9daisybtoes

    Good Fun in Sleepy Hollow

    I've been a Sleepy Hollow affectionado ever since i saw the animated Disney classic as a kid, and I suppose I've seen pretty much every version from TV, movies, and cartoons since the 1950's. In many ways, the Disney one is still my favorite. I loved the Tim Burton film with Johnny Depp, but something about it wasn't right. In a world where Biblical names were commonplace, "Ichabod" is a most unflattering name, meaning "the glory has departed" - but Ichabod Crane, originally NOT the nicest of men, has become a hero over the years. Depp's Ichabod was too handsome and brave, and there were no NYC police in 1799, let alone forensics specialists. And so Jeff Goldblum remains probably the best-cast Ichabod Crane of all time. He has a look similar to the Disney one, but he has a much more pleasant manner, Burton's film, is ghostly and mysterious and well done. The subplot with a brutish Brom Bones (wasn't Bram the hunky one?) and a girl friend (NOT Katrina)ain't that great - but the overall film is very enjoyable, and seems to have quite a fan following. A good Halloween tale for all ages.
    10johndinunno333

    This is a Totally 80's Classic!

    This version of Legend of Sleepy Hollow has all the ingredients of a classic. The mood is set in the beginning through music and a great opening scene...I make it a point to watch in the autumn between Halloween and Thanksgiving...I guess you need to have grown up in the 80's to really appreciate the feel of this particular version...Great Family Film and stands on the ability and confidence of fine acting...even in the quirky monologue...This film is getting rave reviews from at least 20 or 30 of my family and friends. I suggest anyone reading this review to go and get yourself a copy on the VHS format with the original cover...I don't know why they didn't print any DVD version yet...it is worth a view either way.
    10kobayashi-kelly

    Jeff Goldblum IS Icabod Crane

    Yes, I realize that this is a made-for-TV film with a less- than-stellar budget. And yes, I realize that it deviates a bit from Washington Irving's original short story.

    HOWEVER, this remains my single favorite version of Sleepy Hollow committed to film! Who better to play Icabod Crane than lean, lanky, bumbling Jeff Goldblum at his early and most Goldblum- y? I love the development of all the characters, the setting, the costuming, and the banter. I love the superstitious, but well-meaning, townspeople. You can truly feel the connection of a community that knows one another perhaps a bit too well. Even the music score has a haunting, albeit distinctly 80s, atmosphere.

    This is the version I grew up on. It is a point of nostalgia and personal taste for me, and I REALLY, REALLY wish it was available on DVD!
    10kimhatch

    The best Ichabod ever.

    I love this version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Jeff Goldblum is the best Ichabod Crane I have ever seen. Unfortunately, I have only seen it maybe every other Halloween, shown on various local stations that don't advertise their lineups in the TV guide. Also unfortunately, the film is aging poorly so every year it gets a little fuzzier. But it doesn't feel like Halloween until you see Goldblum's stammering and Adam's apple bobbing and the lovely romance emphasized in this version. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be remastered and put on DVD. Am I crazy? Yes, but I can hope.

    More like this

    La légende de Sleepy Hollow
    5.1
    La légende de Sleepy Hollow
    L'exorcisme de ma meilleure amie
    5.3
    L'exorcisme de ma meilleure amie
    Mortelle Saint Valentin
    4.9
    Mortelle Saint Valentin
    Histoires d'outre-tombe
    6.8
    Histoires d'outre-tombe
    Psychose III
    5.5
    Psychose III
    Les coulisses de l'exploit
    7.2
    Les coulisses de l'exploit
    Le Loup-garou
    7.2
    Le Loup-garou
    Fog
    6.8
    Fog
    Sleepy Hollow : La Légende du cavalier sans tête
    7.3
    Sleepy Hollow : La Légende du cavalier sans tête
    Fête sanglante
    5.6
    Fête sanglante
    Dracula mort et heureux de l'être
    5.8
    Dracula mort et heureux de l'être
    Arthur
    6.9
    Arthur

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For its original network broadcast, Steve Allen and Gary Coleman performed hosting duties, appearing in skits at the commercial breaks.
    • Goofs
      The story was written long before electricity or motor-powered air-compressors, yet during Ichabod's choir-practice session, the church organ is shown to be played without anyone pumping the bellows.
    • Quotes

      Brom Bones: Squire, I don't take it lightly seeing the schoolmaster hanging around Katrina. I thought you and me had an agreement.

      Squire Van Tassel: I agreed that you could court my Katrina with matrimonial intentions, but that was three years ago, Brom Bones.

      Brom Bones: Well Squire, marriage ain't nothing for a man to hurry into.

      Squire Van Tassel: And for three years I'm still not a grandfather!

    • Connections
      Featured in Familiar Faces: Return of the Top 13 Weirdest Halloween Specials (2017)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 31, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Spökryttaren
    • Filming locations
      • Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • Jensen Farley Pictures
      • Schick Sunn Classics
      • Sunn Classic Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980) officially released in Japan in Japanese?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.