A few weeks ago, a friend of mine (T. Martin) posted his list of his Top 10 Favorite Movie Soundtracks. This got me thinking about what my own list would be, but I ran into a number of problems.
1. What categorizes a soundtrack?
Are we talking about the score or the use of popular music? Because these are two radically different things. And what about original movie musicals?
2. What about the mixed soundtrack?
How many movies have a mix of original scores and popular music. Do they both get credit as being great if one is an original composotion and the others are not?
3. The John Williams problem?
Any list of the greatest scores is going to be dominated by the mighty John Williams. How could it not be? But that would make most lists very boring to write about.
4. High subjective emotional responses?
Music is the most emotionally targeted of the arts. Assesments of a soundtrack's quality will depend greatly on the emotional reception of the listener.
5. Great pieces or the whole album?
There are some fantastic pieces of music found in movies that may be surrounded by a mediocre score. For example, the movie The Switch has an utterly charming little score called "Lice," but the rest of the soundtrack is not very good. But because I am moved by that one score, do I elevate the rest of the soundtrack?
With this in mind, here is what I have decided:
CATEGORIES
The albums will be diveded into three categories:
1. Score - this will be focused on the instrumental music composed originally for the movie.
2. Soundtrack - this will focus on popular music used by the filmmakers.
3. Original Musical - this will focus on musical albums composed just for this film.
In regards to score, because John Williams is so dominant, I have decided to do a list of Top 20 instead of Top 10 so that there will be a better spread.
In regards to albums that have both score and soundtrack items, I will decide if any of them rise to the level of greatness in either category (or potentially both).
I've also decided to focus on the entire album. For example the main theme to Back to the Future is amazing. The rest of the score is good, but does not reach the same level. To be on the list of best scores, not every track as to be good, but enough of them to warrant mention of the entire album.
With that, here are the Top Movie Scores #20-#11
20. Henry V - Patrick Doyle
This is a score that made me take notice. He puts potent danger in the presence of the monarchy as well as the solemn melencholy of military campaigns. He places in there the sweeping epic of the topic. But it is his score for the Agincourt speech that never ceases to uplift.
19. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - John Williams
It is so difficult to decide between Star Wars scores. But this one not only captures some of the almost religious overtones of the story, it maintains its roots in grand action set pieces. Williams knows when how to put a pit into your stomach with "Padme's Ruminations." But "Battle of the Heroes" is one of the best Star Wars themes that never fails to conjur up the movie to my mind in vivid detail
18. Jurassic Park - John Williams
I remember being in the theater when that bombastic score played as the helicopter first came to the island. I knew then that I was watching something special. But then Williams outdid himself by giving us a strong sense of wonder in song as we see the dinasaurs. The rest of the score skillfully moves through various emotions from adventure to terror with the skill only Williams has.
17. Jaws - John Williams
Everyone knows the iconic theme for the shark. But the rest of the score is incredibly touching for a movie that should (on paper) only have been B-movie schlock. Listen to the incredible tenderness in the scene with Brody and his son at the table. Hear the high-seas adventure in the "Shark Cage Fugue." And listen to the slow forboding of Quint's tale.
16. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - John Williams
The entire score is wonderful to listen to. Williams puts so many little flourishing themes into each piece like the "Cross of Coranado" or the "Grail" theme. He mixes them in expertly along with the classic score while touching on the comedic aspects of the father-son relationship. What amazes me is that there are times when he hits an incredibly exciting muscial flourish but never leans on it too heavily, as when Indy is riding up to the tank on his horse. Others may disagree (and I respect the difference) but I think this is the best Indiana Jones score
15. Rocky - Bill Conti
Of course the big themes are the ones that people remember from this movie and rightly so. Conti did something kind of a incredible: he gave us a timelss score that is clearly tied to that specific era. It is a 1970's sound that is effective in all ages. It shouldn't work but it does. The main theme is also incredibly versatile in how he uses it in different tempos and tones to get across subtle and not-so-subtle changes in emotion.
14. Lars and the Real Girl - David Torn
This will probably be my most controversial choice on the list. This comes from a small movie and the music is comprised mostly of light piano, strings, and accordians. But it is amazing how this quircky collection of sounds can be so deeply beautiful and effective. Every time I hear the "Lars and Margo" theme, my heart breaks a litte. Even the smaller pieces like "Karin Accepts Him" have this fairytale-like quality that helps elevate this small movie.
13. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Howard Shore
For "Into the West" alone, this album belongs here. But Howard Shore creates an epic sound worthy of the movie that it comes from. Every piece of music captures the granduer and drama of what is placed before us on screen. How seemlessly he goes from tragedy to triumph to heartbreak in just a few notes without ever feeling false. Beautiful.
12. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - John Williams
I cannot tell you how many times I listened to this score over and over again in my car. For sixteen years we were hungry for more Star Wars. And while some people dislike The Phantom Menace, Williams gave us some of the Saga's best music. "Duel of the Fates" is forever in the top movie themes of all time. But the entire score is filled with thrills and dark flourishes. But what I think is the most brilliant and subversive part is how the "Emperor's Theme" is woven into "Augies Great Municipal Band," thus telling the audience that the victory they are celebrating is really a defeat.
11. The Shawshank Redemption - Thomas Newman
One of the thankless jobs of a score is that it has to capture the feeling of a movie even when it is not pleasent. A lot of the prison drudgery is captured wonderfully by Newman. The horror and sadness and suspense are all there too. You can hear the sands of time running out during "Brooks Was Here," like a melencholy music box. But then he uplifts you with that finally that doesn't feel cheap, but a well-earned rise out of darkness.
Stay tuned for my Top 10.
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