The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

1972's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was a 13 minute animated short featuring the rich theatrical voice of legendary John Carradine providing narration. Long on exposition, disappointingly short on horror, a real problem with such a brief running time, the venerable actor's assured vocals virtually the whole show until the final two minutes, when Ichabod Crane flees in terror, a musical crescendo that fails to drum up much excitement. In 1981, Carradine supplied the narration for "The Reluctant Dragon," part of a CBS LIBRARY presentation of "Misunderstood Monsters," also from this short's director Sam Weiss. Animated features using his voice include 1969's "Shinbone Alley" (where he actually sings), 1977's "The Mouse and His Child," 1982's "The Secret of NIMH," and 1983's "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp."

The artwork isn't all that grand yet it seem to work out fine for this particular telling of the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Admittedly, the short would have been better with nicer artwork to go along with it, yet I liked it well enough the way it is.

John Carradine's narration really is the star of this little animated film. He was a very good storyteller and still has a great voice to listen to today.

If you like any of the other film versions of Sleepy Hollow, then give this one a try! I found a copy of it on YouTube for viewing.

7.5/10

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1972)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Animated version of the Washington Irving story has the one and only John Carradine serving as the narrator. If you're already familiar with the Irving story then it's doubtful anything here is going to send you for a shock. While watching the film I can see why kids back in 1972 might have been terrified of this thing but when viewing it today the film is quite harmless. I must admit that I was somewhat letdown after hearing so many positive things about the film but I'm guessing most of these reviews come from those who saw it as a child and the memories of being scared stuck with them throughout the years. The film contains some really good animation and I thought the filmmakers did a pretty good job and especially in the darker, more horror related moments. I thought the appearance of the headless horseman was nicely done and I liked the scenes with the full moon lighting everything up. With that said, I think the film spent way too many times outside of these horror elements and the more friendly stuff simply wasn't all that interesting. Carradine does an excellent job using that great voice of his though.

This is one of the best short films ever. It is based on one of the best short stories ever. It is the story of Icabod Crane. One spooky night he ends up in a hunted forest runs into the Headless Horseman. This is a very scary movie. The acting is great. The story line is great. The animation is great. The animation in this movie is very different. John Carrdine was a great actor. This movie is a lot of fun for all ages. See this movie. It is a great movie. It is one of the scariest ghost stories ever. To bad they took off you tube. I hope they bring to back some day. It is one the best short films I have ever seen. It is very spooky. This is a great movie. Sleep Hollow (1999) is a little bite better. But still one of the best animated movies ever.

I just got done watching this & you know what? it's not that great of a

short film. i loved the narration by the late & great & Underrated "John

Carradine" but the artwork wasn't that great.

nor was the story as good as say the (1949) "Disney" film but seeing as this was only 13 minutes. that can easily be forgiven. it's a decent

little film. that i don't think i really need to get into if you know

the story. but it's not a terrible little short either.

anyways i give it a 5/10 cause it was halfway decent. but not good enough that i'd watch it again.