The overlooked gems: a closer look at forgotten film scores
In the dazzling world of film, the focus is often on the front-and-center spectacles: the A-list actors, the visually arresting special effects, or the innovative cinematography. Yet, one element remains underappreciated and frequently forgotten – the film score. These compositions, while not as conspicuous as a leading role or a grand set-piece, have the innate power to elevate a scene to transcendental heights, making the mundane memorable and the grand even greater. Today, we turn our gaze towards some of the most overlooked gems in film scoring that deserve a second, if not a first, listen.
James Horner's ‘The Land Before Time’ (1988)
Though James Horner is widely celebrated for his iconic contributions to cinema, one of his most profoundly affecting works remains somewhat under the radar – 'The Land Before Time.' This 1988 classic, an animated tale of prehistoric young dinosaurs, features Horner's emotionally charged score, which perfectly captures the innocence, trauma, and ultimate hopefulness of the narrative. His orchestration here is nothing short of a marvel, utilizing sweeping strings and haunting woodwinds to communicate the vastness and mystique of the ancient world. The music’s emotional range provides a captivating backdrop to the film's themes of friendship, loss, and survival, making it a significant, though often unheralded, achievement in Horner's oeuvre.
Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke's 'The Insider' (1999)
When Michael Mann's 'The Insider' hit theatres in 1999, it was celebrated for its gripping tale of corporate whistleblowing and journalistic integrity. However, the soundtrack by Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke has largely remained in the shadow of the film's critical success. This unconventional score, marked by Gerrard’s ethereal vocals and Bourke’s intricate electronic textures, enhances the film's tense atmosphere. The music serves not just as a background embellishment but as a pivotal emotional driver that underscores the paranoia, fear, and moral complexity faced by the characters. Gerrard and Bourke’s work together presents a mesmerizing blend of ancient-sounding melodies and modern soundscapes, making it a fascinating and unduly neglected body of work.
Craig Armstrong's ‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013)
Another frequently overlooked score is Craig Armstrong's work on Baz Luhrmann's ‘The Great Gatsby.’ While the film itself is remembered for its visual opulence and eclectic soundtrack featuring contemporary artists, Armstrong’s original score is a breathtaking piece in its own right. Armstrong captures the dizzying decadence of the Roaring Twenties with a lush, orchestral palette that simultaneously honors the era while imbuing it with a modern sensibility. His compositions, often melancholic and introspective, reflect the internal turmoils of the characters, making it a multi-layered auditory experience. This scoring work is a gem that gets overshadowed by the star-studded compilation soundtrack of the movie but deserves critical acclaim for its own sake.
Rachel Portman's ‘Never Let Me Go’ (2010)
Rachel Portman has been a trailblazer in the film scoring world, often praised for her work on films like 'Emma' and 'Chocolat.’ However, her work on 'Never Let Me Go,' the 2010 adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian novel, has not received the recognition it merits. Portman’s score is a poignant, heart-wrenching counterpoint to the film’s bleak narrative about cloned humans bred for organ harvesting. The music’s haunting beauty and melancholic simplicity underscore the tragic fates of the characters, capturing the essence of human fragility and the cold, clinical nature of their world. Portman’s ability to evoke such profound emotion through her compositions solidifies this score as one of her most powerful and underserved in its acclaim.
Michael Kamen's ‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Though technically a mini-series, not a film, Michael Kamen’s score for 'Band of Brothers' is nothing less than cinematic. The HBO series chronicling Easy Company’s harrowing experiences during World War II features Kamen’s deeply emotional and heroic themes. While the series has been lauded widely, Kamen's contribution - a luxurious suite of orchestral music - does not always receive its due recognition. His work goes beyond traditional wartime scoring, infusing the series with a reverence and poignancy that bolsters its historical gravitas and the personal stories of the men it portrays. This score is an underappreciated triumph that stands as a testament to Kamen’s talent and the impactful role of music in storytelling.
These scores are more than just accompaniments to visuals; they are complex, richly textured works that elevate the narrative structures of their respective films. While their initial reception may have dimmed in comparison to other, more commercially successful counterparts, they stand as essential pieces in the oeuvre of film music. For fans and newcomers alike, revisiting these scores can provide a profound appreciation for the intricate art of film scoring, rewarding those who listen with newfound emotional and narrative depths.
James Horner's ‘The Land Before Time’ (1988)
Though James Horner is widely celebrated for his iconic contributions to cinema, one of his most profoundly affecting works remains somewhat under the radar – 'The Land Before Time.' This 1988 classic, an animated tale of prehistoric young dinosaurs, features Horner's emotionally charged score, which perfectly captures the innocence, trauma, and ultimate hopefulness of the narrative. His orchestration here is nothing short of a marvel, utilizing sweeping strings and haunting woodwinds to communicate the vastness and mystique of the ancient world. The music’s emotional range provides a captivating backdrop to the film's themes of friendship, loss, and survival, making it a significant, though often unheralded, achievement in Horner's oeuvre.
Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke's 'The Insider' (1999)
When Michael Mann's 'The Insider' hit theatres in 1999, it was celebrated for its gripping tale of corporate whistleblowing and journalistic integrity. However, the soundtrack by Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke has largely remained in the shadow of the film's critical success. This unconventional score, marked by Gerrard’s ethereal vocals and Bourke’s intricate electronic textures, enhances the film's tense atmosphere. The music serves not just as a background embellishment but as a pivotal emotional driver that underscores the paranoia, fear, and moral complexity faced by the characters. Gerrard and Bourke’s work together presents a mesmerizing blend of ancient-sounding melodies and modern soundscapes, making it a fascinating and unduly neglected body of work.
Craig Armstrong's ‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013)
Another frequently overlooked score is Craig Armstrong's work on Baz Luhrmann's ‘The Great Gatsby.’ While the film itself is remembered for its visual opulence and eclectic soundtrack featuring contemporary artists, Armstrong’s original score is a breathtaking piece in its own right. Armstrong captures the dizzying decadence of the Roaring Twenties with a lush, orchestral palette that simultaneously honors the era while imbuing it with a modern sensibility. His compositions, often melancholic and introspective, reflect the internal turmoils of the characters, making it a multi-layered auditory experience. This scoring work is a gem that gets overshadowed by the star-studded compilation soundtrack of the movie but deserves critical acclaim for its own sake.
Rachel Portman's ‘Never Let Me Go’ (2010)
Rachel Portman has been a trailblazer in the film scoring world, often praised for her work on films like 'Emma' and 'Chocolat.’ However, her work on 'Never Let Me Go,' the 2010 adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian novel, has not received the recognition it merits. Portman’s score is a poignant, heart-wrenching counterpoint to the film’s bleak narrative about cloned humans bred for organ harvesting. The music’s haunting beauty and melancholic simplicity underscore the tragic fates of the characters, capturing the essence of human fragility and the cold, clinical nature of their world. Portman’s ability to evoke such profound emotion through her compositions solidifies this score as one of her most powerful and underserved in its acclaim.
Michael Kamen's ‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Though technically a mini-series, not a film, Michael Kamen’s score for 'Band of Brothers' is nothing less than cinematic. The HBO series chronicling Easy Company’s harrowing experiences during World War II features Kamen’s deeply emotional and heroic themes. While the series has been lauded widely, Kamen's contribution - a luxurious suite of orchestral music - does not always receive its due recognition. His work goes beyond traditional wartime scoring, infusing the series with a reverence and poignancy that bolsters its historical gravitas and the personal stories of the men it portrays. This score is an underappreciated triumph that stands as a testament to Kamen’s talent and the impactful role of music in storytelling.
These scores are more than just accompaniments to visuals; they are complex, richly textured works that elevate the narrative structures of their respective films. While their initial reception may have dimmed in comparison to other, more commercially successful counterparts, they stand as essential pieces in the oeuvre of film music. For fans and newcomers alike, revisiting these scores can provide a profound appreciation for the intricate art of film scoring, rewarding those who listen with newfound emotional and narrative depths.