Links To The Best Film (Movie) Scores

[meganiwish]

I was talking today to someone who was complaining about 'incidental' music on television.  I said that music is fundamental to film and television, the moving picture.  The original picture houses even had live music.  Well, as luck would have it, I got home tonight and the film, The Mission is on.  Score by the wonderful Ennio Morricone  The film would be a shadow of itself without his music.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gonKhSIBP54 , and this allowing for the fact that it's redolent of Magical Realism. How many films there are that we can bring to mind just by hearing the music, w.hether written for it or appropriated.  Please leave links to your favourite film (movie) or TV music.

 

I hope this will please Amanda as it might not be so pop-centric.

 

I'll set the ball rolling.  Breakfast at Tiffany's and Moon River. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7SI7N22k_A

[Shafted]

Movies are something that I am a professional expert on. For much of the early days of cinema silent films relied on music for a sense of mood. It was lost for a bit with the first talkies or sound motion pictures of the 30's. By the mid 30's and early 40's it regained an important part of cinema for setting the mood of a film.

 

While it is very difficult to choose a particular movie or score for that movie, Star Wars was a masterpiece of scoring and stands on it's own as a masterful piece of symphonic music even without it's film footage.

 

It makes me want to spin that double record set of vinyl again tonight with the London Symphony Orchestra with John Williams conducting.

[meganiwish]

Yes, that's what I'm after - where the music is the film.  Thank you, Shafted.

[Amanda]

[Shyheels]

The Magnificent Seven

[dww]

First film that springs to mind Jaws.

[Amanda]

 

Nyman and Greenaway inseparable.

 

Thank you for the thread Megan. It's wonderful :-)

[ShoeDre]

Blade Runner.  Vangelis did it justice.

[meganiwish]

You used one I hoped to save for later.  But you didn't leave a link, you naughty man, so I will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRUD2Daz5q8 I expect the same names will come up time and again.

 

I can see what you mean about Jaws, but really it's just that suspense music.  The same with Psycho.  A short iconic piece, but hardly a major player in the film itself.  Bladerunner's a very good example of what a good film score does.  They put in the Dragnet style voice over because they were afraid no-one would understand the film:  'Skin job.  He meant 'replicant'.  He was the sort of cop who in the 1970s would have called a black man a spade,'  But the music does it, whispers the story in your ear while you're watching.

 

Chaps, look at the name of the thread.  You're meant to leave a link so we can all enjoy, just like Amanda did.  By the way, Amanda, you're very welcome, and thank you for your lovely comment.

 

So I must leave a link of my own.  I'll go with Merry Christmas Mister Lawrence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiBDwHlsX4c  I think it's a good example of how the modern score writer replicates the skill of the old cinema pianist bringing a film to life.

[Amanda]

[meganiwish]

I have to admit I've not seen it, though I shall be keeping my eyes open for it.

 

I always felt that Milos Forman did well to persuade Mozart to write the score for his film.  But I'm going to give you The Wicker Man.  It's strange how the folky songs add to the feeling of danger.  The violin on 'Willows Song' is fabulous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UOtscTCJBk  The way it bores into the sergeant's head.  I like how the music is part of the film, often played by characters who have no other role than to play the music, and it draws Sergeant Howie ever deeper in.  The ending is perfection.  It's genius how this is sung https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCObZ6Kodi0 while Howie recites the 23rd Psalm.  Madness and terror.  The score was written by Paul Giovanni.

 

For those who only know the Nicholas Cage Wicker Man, I think it was when he started punching old ladies in the face that I felt he deserved the burning that was coming to him.

[Chorlini]

The Good the Bad & the Ugly. That movie would be nothing without its glorious movie score by Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone cut its scenes to fit the music. And while everybody knows the title theme my vote goes to the final shootout. Five glorious minutes of no conversation, wide angle shoots, close ups and that glorious music that all work together to build to that climax.

 

 

 

 

[Amanda]