Was the Headless Horseman Brom Bones in disguise? - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949) Discussion

i think he was.

Rest in Peace~Heath Ledger~

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[–] trisp 15 years ago

It's left open to interpretation in any version (except Tim Burton's) about whether Brom disguised himself as the Horseman or not. The Disney cartoon definitely leaves it open-ended. There is that scene where Ichabod looks down through the Horseman's collar and shakes with fear. It could suggest that it was the actual Horseman or maybe Ichabod was just so paranoid by that point that he was imagining things.

"HOPSCOTCH!"

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[–] ss5mmyers 13 years ago

He was the horseman. From the story: "Brom Bones, too, who, shortly after his rival's disappearance conducted the blooming Katrina in triumph to the altar, was observed to look exceedingly knowing whenever the story of Ichabod was related, and always burst into a hearty laugh at the mention of the pumpkin; which led some to suspect that he knew more about the matter than he chose to tell."

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[–] greenbudgie (2355) a year ago

It does sound from that passage that Brom was responsible for chasing Ichabod. In the silent version, 'The Headless Horseman' they make it evident when Brom takes off a hood and laughs as Ichabod gallops off into the distance.

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[–] DarthSeether 12 years ago

my father (born in 1945) said that he remembered a quick scene that I have never been able to find. He says that it showed Brom laughing and hanging up the Horseman's cloak in a closet.

He always said that this scene was cut from later versions to preserve the mystery. I don't know if it is true or not. Maybe my father just imagined it. Anyone know of this scene?

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[–] doublethink03 12 years ago

I just rewatched it and was surprised that the version I saw didn't contain anything that showed it was Brom, as I was sure that that was clear in the version I watched on betamax as a child. So, I guess there must have been that scene.

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[–] ss5mmyers 11 years ago

So it's a coincidence that both Brom and the horseman have the same horse?

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[–] OmegaWolf747 9 years ago

If you look closely, the Headless Horseman's horse had a white blaze down his muzzle while Brom's was solid black.

---
House. My room. Cant walk. My medal. My father. Father, dont!

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[–] ss5mmyers 8 years ago

That's just from the way the pumpkin's lighting around them. At the bridge you can see the horse is solid black.

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[–] pillfeast 9 years ago

I'll second that, or third it, I definitely remember seeing such a scene. I never had beta though, so there must have been at least one VHS edition that punctured the ambiguity.

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[–] faeria 11 years ago

Both in the book and in this cartoon, it's meant to be up to the audience to decide. Personally, yes, I did think it was Brom in disguise. The same horse, the same build, etc. just made it seem likely. Brom's way of scaring the schoolmaster off and all.

It's not about who you are or your fancy car. You're only ever who you were.

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[–] 11 years ago

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