Impressions: Ichabod Crane Sleepy Hollow Sixth Scale Figure

Three recent murders, three missing heads, one long-dead killer rumored to be back at work. With minds reeling and heads rolling, the small town of Sleepy Hollow is anything but sleepy when Ichabod Crane arrives. A police constable from New York City, Crane’s methods are unconventional for the brink of the 19th century, as he relies on forensic science over superstition to solve cases.

But with the Headless Horseman prowling the wooded trails, Crane’s science meets the supernatural in Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow. Starring Johnny Depp as the curious Crane, the memorably macabre 1999 film receives a terrific tribute with Hot Toys' new Ichabod Crane Sixth Scale Figure from Sideshow Collectibles. They’ve given us a look at the new entry to their Movie Masterpiece Series and the incredible amount of detail and care put into this Depp depiction is downright scary.

“What’s in the box?!” might be your first thought when receiving a new collectible, the anticipation to see what’s inside being nearly too much to take. But as per usual, Sideshow and Hot Toys continue to make a statement with their box art, causing one to pause and admire a cinematic design I would definitely hang on my wall if it were displayed on a poster print.

Beneath the blood-red cursive letters spelling out “Sleepy Hollow” is Ichabod’s trademark goggles, with the Headless Horseman and his trusty steed reflected in the left eyepiece and the right one splattered with blood—likely from the Horseman’s handiwork. Silhouetted behind the goggles against the backdrop of a full moon is the Tree of the Dead, the earthy entrance to Hell itself. And below these layered pieces lie the ghastly woods where this gothic story plays out.

Opening the box reveals another eye-catching prelude to the actual figure. Set against a blood-red flowered design on a thick paper insert are two circular cutouts—one displaying a cardinal and the other a birdcage: a replica of the thaumatrope used by Ichabod while pondering the increasing number of decapitations. If you choose, you can cut out the discs, place them back-to-back, and run string through the pre-existing punch holes to form your own Sleepy Hollow thaumatrope that, when spun quickly enough, makes it appear as though the cardinal is in the cage. Ancient entertainment at its finest.

Waiting to be unearthed from under the do-it-yourself thaumatrope kit is the sixth scale figure of Ichabod Crane. Not unlike an Egyptian ruler buried in a tomb with troves of treasure, the Ichabod figure is flanked by a plethora of accessories used by the dogged detective in the film. Ichabod himself appears as a lean, trim figure, his swept-back, jet-black hair sitting atop his smooth-skinned facial features. His head is highlighted by a slight frown and an intense gaze from dark eyes, his stare giving the impression that he’s just spotted the Horseman galloping across the horizon with another head in hand.

Hailing from his police position in the gloomy big city, Ichabod’s dressed in a dapperly, gothic fashion—his black vest, jacket and coat buttoned over a white cravat giving him the appearance of a fashionable guest star on Dark Shadow. The outfit looks right at home both in Burton’s picture and on the Ichabod figure.

Extensions of the man himself, Ichabod’s accessories are what really make this item a well-researched, must-own reflection of the film. Coming through on the promise made by their appearance on the box, Ichabod’s custom-made goggles can be snugly placed on his head by switching his regular hairpiece with a second one from the package (the hairpieces are magnetized). The goggles bring out Ichabod’s forensic science side, and attachable magnifying lenses easily hook onto the frame for a delightful steampunk look.

Also around to aid Ichabod at the autopsy table are a number of sharp tools—some of them looking like they were built by Ichabod in his workshop—that can be grasped using several of the six interchangeable palms. In case he needs to track down a DNA trail (no easy feat when dealing with a killer who died years ago), Ichabod also comes equipped with a batch of bottles containing colorful chemical mixtures that add a nice contrast to Ichabod’s gothic attire (one of the bottle types even features tiny cursive words on its label). And in case he’s caught out in the open and needs to buy himself precious seconds to escape, an antique revolver is also included.

As a fan of Burton’s take on Washington Irving’s classic 1820 tale, there were three details in particular about this figure that really brought the movie to life for me. I was already pleased to discover that Ichabod’s leathery satchel could be opened, but to find inside the golden tray that rises upon pulling the handle was an absolute treat. The tray’s shelves have the dimensions to perfectly hold the figure’s bottles, so you can actually recreate Ichabod’s actions during his examination of the elder Masbath’s murder scene.

The other features of this figure that impressed were Ichabod’s palms, which have the patterned pin prick scars from the fateful day he found his mother in his dad’s torture chamber. A daily reminder of who Ichabod must strive to be in a world that doesn’t always think logically, those scars are as important to Ichabod (painful as they may be to look at) as his beating heart, and their inclusion here is very much appreciated.

And finally, the accessory that has me hoping Sideshow and Hot Toys do a companion figure sometime down the line is the book, A Compendium of Spells, Charms and Devices of the Spirit World. Given to him as a gift by the Wiccan-inclined Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci), this blue book speaks volumes to both Ichabod’s budding romantic relationship with Katrina and his mind’s gradual opening to the superstitious, magical side of life. I was glad he didn’t burn it in the film and am equally happy to find it tucked away safely next to this new Ichabod figure.

With over 30 points of articulation and expert craftsmanship from Lee So Young (head sculpt), JC. Hong (head paint), Kojun (head art direction), Hai Lim (costume), and many more, Hot Toys' Ichabod Crane figure from Sideshow Collectibles is a treasured tribute to Depp’s memorable depiction of a constable who was once upon a time in way over his head while simultaneously trying to keep it from the Horseman’s searing blade. This is one item fans of the film and figure collectors in general should be proud to put on their mantel. Don’t lose your head thinking about whether or not you should pick this one up—it’s a no-brainer.

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Priced at $234.99, Hot Toys' Ichabod Crane Sixth Scale Figure is now available to pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles and is expected to ship out in March/April:

Ichabod Crane Sixth Scale Figure by Hot Toys

Product Details:

Scale: Sixth Scale Figure

Manufacturer: Hot Toys

Product Size: 12" H (304.8mm)

Dimensional Weight: 4 lbs

Int'l Dim. Weight: 6 lbs

Learn more at: http://bit.ly/buyichabod