Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A not-too-scary headless horseman offers a history lesson.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
It's almost Halloween, and Nick Crane (voiced by Joanna Ruiz) and his friend Kate (Jules De Jongh) are preparing for the school's haunted house. Since they live in the town of Sleepy Hollow, the holiday is loaded with meaning, especially since the manuscript of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has gone missing. As fate would have it, Nick and Kate find themselves solving more than one mystery as the "ghosts come out to roam" on the last day of October.
Is It Any Good?
If The Magic School Bus ran amok on the Scooby Doo set, THE HAUNTED PUMPKIN OF SLEEPY HOLLOW is pretty much what you'd get. Though there is plenty of educational material in this twist on the Sleepy Hollow tale, it doesn't feel forced or contrived. Even adults might learn a thing or two about the history surrounding Washington Irving's tale.
Even though there are ghosts, they are pretty harmless. Only the Headless Horseman feels frightening in this movie, which is appropriate, since he's the bad guy. But there are no beheadings or slayings -- just a history lesson shrouded in mystery. It's a good choice for families with sensitive kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about legends. What is a legend? What makes it different than a story? Are there any legends told about the town that you live in?
How scary was this movie for you and your family? Have you seen scarier movies or shows? How do you usually react to being scared?
It is said in this movie that Halloween is a night when "all ghosts get to roam." Do you believe this? What does Halloween mean to you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2006
- Cast : Eric Meyers , Joanna Ruiz , Jules de Jongh
- Director : Wang Zewen
- Studio : Porchlight Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 48 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 19, 2019
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