The Haunted Pumpkin of Sleepy Hollow (2003)

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of my all time favorite folklore tales. It’s a creepy, weird, and unusual tale about a man who loses all the way through the end to supernatural forces. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has gotten its massive share of adaptations ever since releasing, and it’s managed to appeal to many generations that can appreciate a good mystery 

It’s Halloween and friends Nick and Kate are on a mission to find the biggest pumpkin in the patch. Unfortunately, the pumpkin they choose is haunted by the ghost of the Headless Horseman, and he wants his head back. Meanwhile two thieves want the kids to claim the original manuscript for “Sleepy Hollow” is located. “The Haunted Pumpkin…” is a mix of the mystery of Scooby-Doo and educational value of “The Magic School Bus.”

Both children have to be resilient in their quest to return the he pumpkin to the headless horseman. The animation is a big rigid at times, but that’s to be expected with the lower budget animation specials like this that are often reduced to home video only with the occasional Television premiere. We also get to learn some history, including the back story behind the creation of “Sleepy Hollow” as the kids meet a trio of ghosts along the way. They guide them and help them fight the thieves, all the while presenting ideas on how to get rid of the pair of evil thieves, as well as the supernatural being that will not leave until he gets his pumpkin. For kids, this should prove to be a fun novelty for Halloween. I had a good time with it, and I’m sure it’ll draw in more fans of the classic folktale.