 |
Music Review |
|
 "Raiders
of the Lost Ark" is one of those rare films which, although near the top of many
movie lovers' list of favorite films, has managed to steer clear of that which turns
popular theater fare into pop-culture phenomenon. But while "Raiders" can't boast a hundred action figures, it most certainly does deliver one of the finest soundtracks in the history of cinema. The DCC Compact Classics "Raiders" soundtrack was released last year; but with the rumor mill starting to heat up about Indy 4, we felt this title was worth another look - and a glowing review. Going back to the original master tapes, this re-release of the "Raiders" soundtrack includes nine tracks which were previously unavailable, almost doubling the total number of tracks on the disc, and making for an experience approximately 74 minutes in length. In addition to the disc itself, a 24-page booklet is included which features quotes from Composer John Williams and liner notes by Film Score Monthly editor Lukas Kendall. We are also treated to images from the film, a couple of behind-the-scenes shots, and a bunch of storyboards. Kendall's notes on each track are astute and clever, without being pretentious. He prefaces the experience nicely where he states "Today, it's so obvious that the plot and characters are how they are, that a hero could be named after a dog named after a state, that a film could have so many action setpieces (four) without them seeming forced, and that conventions like a plane superimposed on a map are what Indiana Jones is all about. Williams provided the extra gel to make us not even consider these facts - the movie is a great time, it has and always will be, and his music is unforgettable." Indeed. Certainly the familiar "Raiders March" is one of those memorable tracks, but if you haven't listened to the soundtrack in a while (or ever), doing so now will most likely make you realize just how adept a film scorer Williams is. Hearing just snippets of various tracks brings to mind vivid images of the film and its Heroes & Villains. Although it's an obvious fact that filmmaking is a collaborative effort, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is a stunning example of what can happen when writer, director and composer are in such perfect sync. Of the 19 tracks on the CD, perhaps number nine, The Map Room: Dawn, showcases Williams' talent more than any other. This track has such a fantastic sense of tension and mystery, conveying the supernatural overtones of the film's namesake, mixing in the military evil of impending Nazi doom, building up to a powerful climax and winding down with the nervous segue into the next scene. In a scene with no dialogue, the music serves as the words which tell the story so well. This track has more than once sent chills down my spine. The extra 1/2-hour or so of music on this version is made up of pieces which were sorely missed from the original soundtrack, such as Main Title: South America, The Medallion and The Warehouse. Even if you're not a huge fan of the movie (say it isn't so!), the "Raiders" soundtrack is a phenomenal example of modern classical composition and film scoring. This CD is highly recommended and worth every penny. --review by Lou Zucaro |
