The Impact of Movie Soundtracks

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Several days ago, we were having a discussion in the CineTv Discord about favorite movie soundtracks. The discussion brought back some amazing memories of some of the most monumental music used in cinema and this lead me to contemplate just how pivotal a movie's soundtrack is to the film. In my opinion, if the script is the heart of the movie, then surely the soundtrack is the living, breathing soul of the film. There are literally hundreds of compositions, original or borrowed, that when played will instantly conjure images of certain scenes, actors, or films. These iconic melodies were instrumental (see what I did there??? lolol) in setting the mood, pace, and emotions of a film.

When I think of iconic songs or soundtracks from movies there are some classics that always flood my memory and many of these are associated with my favorite films. Some are intelligent use of existing songs and others are unique creations born from the genius of composers who pour their soul to ensure that a composition meets the needs of the mood of a film.

An exquisite example of this for me was the soundtrack to Apocalypse Now. This beautifully arranged soundtrack included popular music from the film's depicted era, classic compositions from from giants of classical music, and an original score that was just as haunting as it was beautiful. For several generations that have seen and adored this film, when they hear Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries instantly their mind will conjure visions of Airborne assaults and fire raining from heaven. This iconic theme would become synonymous with war, combat, or conflict in a multitude of other movies, television shows, and even commercials due to the impact it had in this film.

The director and music composer for Apocalypse Now intimately knew the power the music of a film has and the opening scene of this epic film is one of the most expertly executed marriages of music and cinematography in the modern era. It was the personification of perfection of opening scenes and it will become immortal. It is haunting and, at the same time, inviting. It says, "Welcome to my world, come take this journey with me" and it is so convincing that we WANT to take that journey. We NEED to see where it goes and how it twists and turns, just like that river taking Willard into the arms of Kurtz!

While the inclusion of these modern songs and classical compositions were brilliant, an often overlooked aspect to this, and many other films, is the power of the original score. This film creates some of the most moving, haunting music that transcends you from the audience to an active participant of the journey the characters are on and sets the mood so perfectly throughout the film. An example of this is the music composed for select scenes as the boat crew travels up river deeper and deeper into the jungle. The music so perfectly depicts the journey into madness that the film dives desperately into. This particular score is the perfect musical representation of the cinematic action.

The music of this film is the most elegant juxtaposition of sound and celluloid. The intimate relationship of the story and the score is so beautifully woven it is nearly impossible to think of one without the immediate presence of the other. These two elements were created for each other like the most perfect union of man and wife.

This was just the first example that raced into my thought during that conversation and there are a multitude of scores and soundtracks that are so very perfect in the moment of creation. Another that really stands out to me was how creatively songs were used to effortlessly move the pace, scenes, and emotions in Pulp Fiction. I need to go back a look at that conversation again because I know there were some epic suggestions that I'm forgetting to comment on. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings on movie soundtracks. Comment your favorite soundtrack and how it impacted you.

All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter,
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
-Tolkien