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Tim Burton and Danny Elfman have collaborated in many films, like Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Batman, and Beetlejuice. They seem to have a special bond that makes the visuals and the sound of these films go well together, hand in hand. Both, director and composer have been described as “dark.” These two unique beings add a touch of weirdness and eccentricity to films, which makes the viewer feel as though one is watching a sort of weird, creepy and gothic fairy tale. Although both films, Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow are from the same director and composer, the feel of each film is quite different. Edward Scissorhands’ music is like a fairy tale, almost like a Shakespearean tragedy, while Sleepy Hollow’s music is off-key and horrific. I will be discussing the similarities, and the major differences in both films, using the twelve functions of music in film, but most importantly, I will discuss the effect of Danny Elfman’s music on the visuals created by Tim Burton. Edward Scissorhands is a film about an artificial man, almost like a Frankenstein monster, with scissors for hands. A woman who lives in the suburban town near him finds him in his castle. The whole story develops when this woman takes Edward down to suburbia and he is faced with new experiences, new people and a new feeling… love. Although this film has fairy tale qualities, it does not end with “happily ever after.” Sleepy Hollow on the other hand, is the story of an investigator and inventor, Ichabod Crane, who travels to Sleepy Hollow, after hearing about the strange deaths that have taken place in the town. The story develops when Ichabod has to find out who exactly has been committing these murders. Ichabod Crane is forced to choose whether to believe in logic or legend, in order to solve the murders. Comparison of the Introduction/main titles of Edward Scissorhands and Introduction/main titles of Sleepy Hollow In Edward Scissorhands, the main titles establish the tone of the film, from the first couple of notes played. There is a Christmas and winter feel to the music. The snowy scenes, along with the Christmas-like music create a fantasy atmosphere, almost like a child’s glass ball filled with snow. The chorus sounds like the choruses typical of Christmas carols. Quite a few scenes throughout the film are set in a wintry backdrop, with snow or ice sculptures, adding to the Christmas and wintry feel. A very angelic sounding fusion of choir and strings is used in the opening credits. This becomes Edward Scissorhands’ first theme. The other major theme in the movie that is briefly introduced, is the “Ice Dance theme.” The motif for the “Ice Dance” theme, which consists of five ascending notes, is only played during scenes where Edward’s love interest appears. The snow scenes play an essential role throughout the film and the audience is reminded of the opening scene when we first become acquainted with Edward’s castle. The music in the opening credits for Sleepy Hollow also sets the tone for things to come later in the film. We hear a male chorus, intermingled with a child chorus and towering brass and organs, which create an atmosphere of ominous darkness and suspense. After hearing the opening sequence, the audience knows that this is a horror film. The introduction sounds very creepy and sinister, which is the tone of film itself. The main titles are very sinister also, we begin to notice the suspenseful music sequence when the character Ichabod Crane first appears making his way to Sleepy Hollow. When Crane is travelling to Sleepy Hollow, we can hear string instruments and chorus voices intermingled, these strings and chorus voices, will come to be part of the main theme. As we see Crane arriving at his destination, we can foretell that he will have many eerie experiences at Sleepy Hollow, just by listening to the cue. The background music along with the scenery is very dark, like a very gloomy Halloween afternoon. Both films, although different in storyline and genre, do have in common the fact that the opening credits and introduction set the tone for the rest of film and the atmosphere for the respective movie is created. Logically, the music is very different, which is why both film scores work for its respective purpose. The music in Edward Scissorhands creates a fantasy stage, filled with child-like choral compositions. There is a sense of innocence as well, not only from the main character, Edward, but also from the cherub-like chorus. The music in Sleepy Hollow is without a doubt very creepy and dark.
Approximate Word count = 3033
Approximate Pages = 12.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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