Matt’s Top 10 Favorite Film Scores
Next to the chemistry between the actors, music is probably the most important aspect of a film. No matter how good or bad of a performance an actor delivers, music will almost always make it better, either by supporting the emotional resonance or pumping adrenaline through your veins. Sometimes, yes, a film’s score isn’t that great, and it leaves you wanting more from the film as a whole. “Django Unchained” was like that for me. I didn’t particularly like the film when I first saw it, and the lackluster soundtrack made it even worse.
When I talk about a film’s score, I’m talking about the entire soundtrack. Lots of elitists and critics think the “score” is only the orchestral background music or original works made specifically for the film. I agree in some way, but I’m also a firm believer that the music choices and arrangements are just as important. So, if a film uses an already produced song or piece of music in order to strengthen their product/support the story’s elements, then I have no problem saying it is a part of the score. Every bit of music in a film, whether original or adapted, is chosen for a reason, so that’s why I refer to the entire soundtrack when I’m talking about a film’s score.
Today, I am going to be talking about my favorite film scores. I’ll have a short blurb plus a snippet of the music for each film, but film scores are elements that must be experienced on their own. There’s only so much I can say to describe a film’s score, so the best way to truly understand why these are my favorites is to go and either watch the film or listen to the soundtrack yourself.
#10. Carrie
From the opening shower scene to the shocking final moments, the score of “Carrie” keeps this sad tale emotional and haunting. The music itself helps establish Carrie’s innocence and the horror that lives inside of her. It’s a great example of how music can change the tone and meaning of any scene in a film. You’ll find yourself strangely emotional connecting to this film when you watch it, and it’s mainly because the music fits the performances, story and tone perfectly.
#9. Raging Bull
This is one of the best boxing films with one of the best performances by an actor. “Raging Bull” is a violent and unforgiving tale about one of the toughest professional boxers. Robert DeNiro’s performance is just short of perfection, especially with an incredible soundtrack to back it up. Mainly composed of produced songs, this film’s soundtrack will transport you back in time. It is a great example of how already produced songs can be used to strengthen a film’s universe, story and themes.
#8. Pan’s Labyrinth
This is one of the few films that actually would be just as good without its score, but you’d honestly be missing out on one of the most beautiful scores in film history. At the start of the film, with simple piano plucking, some violins and a sweet humming voice, you’ll quickly be introduced to a harrowing world… the world of “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Within the first two minutes you completely understand that this is going to be a magical and sorrowful tale. It tells you to buckle your seatbelts across your lap and heart, and that’s just the first track off the score. The rest of the score successfully supports the magical themes and the protagonist’s innocence, including some tracks that make the antagonist beyond pure evil. Buy the film, buy the soundtrack and experience the world of “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
#7. Miracle
Everyone loves sports movies because they are inspirational and uplifting, but the main element that gives us goosebumps during these underdog or hard-fought tales is the music. Whether it’s when the team finally wins or when they finally start working together or when they hate each other, the music is always there to stir the audience’s emotions. “Miracle” has one of the best scores for a sports film, particularly the track that occurs right before and during the final game. Barely any words are said during this scene, and the music helps the audience understand the tension, the importance and the entire journey all wrapped into a climatic sequence. I’ll be honest; I jumped out of my seat at the end of this film when I first saw it, and I have to credit most of it to the score for filling me with such joy and inspiration that mixed perfectly with the events on screen.
Click to the NEXT PAGE for the rest of the list!
#6. Requiem For A Dream
Clint Mansell is one of my favorite composers, and I believe anything he touches turns into musical gold, including his renditions of “Swan Lake” used for Aronofsky’s “Black Swan.” His score for “Requiem For A Dream” starts off strong with classic orchestrations mixed with elements of hip-hop. From that point on, the score keeps up with the urban horror injected into the entire film, supporting the characters’ actions and emotions the entire time. This film’s score is so important for the overall product that if you took it out of one scene, let’s say the final montage, the entire film would be ruined. It’s that good, and it’s that important to the story. It makes you feel tense, anxious, scared, and uncomfortable – exactly what the characters are feeling throughout the story, bringing you down to their level and into their universe.
#5. Rudy
Here’s another sports film with a wonderful soundtrack. The ending of “Rudy” is one of my favorites, but not without the excellent orchestrations that go along with it. The main theme can be heard all throughout the film, establishing it as Rudy’s theme early on. After watching all of Rudy’s hard work pay off, you get to hear it one final time when his favorite football team lifts him onto their shoulders and carry him off the field. The music helps reiterate Rudy’s love for the game of football and how beautiful his dream really is, inspiring the audience to hold onto their dreams and never let go. It’s strange how powerful music can sometimes be. Well, this film score is an excellent example of that, and it will help you remember your most cherished dreams and inspire you to chase after them.
#4. The Artist
In the old days, films were silent. The only kind of musical accompaniment they had was either a full orchestra in a pit of the theatre or a lone piano off to the side.
“The Artist” is a silent film that was made in 2011, so the film’s score was absolutely vital if it was going to make it in the industry today. Sure, the story and the actors’ performances were just as vital, but the music itself was really the only true way to understand the emotional tension throughout the film. Plus, it was the last hope to keep people in their seats. I heard plenty of stories when this film came out about people leaving the theatre because they didn’t know it was a silent film. Some kept from leaving because the music was absolutely charming and breathtaking to listen to. And that’s exactly what this score is: charming and breathtaking (with insane amounts of nostalgia added in). Many people say this film shouldn’t have won the Oscar for Best Picture, but the score sure did deserve the Oscar for Best Original Score.
Click to the NEXT PAGE for the final three!
#3. The Last of the Mohicans
This is one of the most beautiful scores in film history. Not because of simple piano plucking or violins, but the full orchestrations and arrangements are so well done and perfectly structured that you’ll discover there isn’t one boring or forgettable track. The music is either filling you with sadness, grief, happiness, inspiration, or a sense of the epic journey you’re about to embark on. When the Mohicans are chasing after Magua, you yourself will feel like you’re running with them because the music injects you with promise and adrenaline. The track entitled “Promontory” is probably the film’s most popular track, but all of them are incredible and help create an amazing tale of violence, love, war and family.
#2. Life is Beautiful
With one of the most famous musical scores, “Life is Beautiful” clocks in at number two for its perfection and beauty. Just listening to these orchestrations will make anyone teary eyed, and then after you mix it with the film’s sad take, you get something that will have you bawling tears when the credits start to roll. If you’re unsure whether you should watch this film or not, listen to the first four minutes of the score and you’ll know everything you need to know. You’ll understand the film is beautiful, inspiring, sad, funny, uplifting, and haunting. (Bring tissues with you for this one).
#1. Cinema Paradiso
This film has two of the greatest love stories ever told, and it’s one of the main reasons why I love film as an art form. I first saw this film in college during a Film Appreciation class. How my teacher had the class set up was like this: Each week would be about a different element that makes films what they are. One week would be about acting. The next would be about cinematography. After that it was directing. And then, we got to music. When my teacher announced “Cinema Paradiso” was the film we were going to watch, the entire class groaned, including my Rugby teammates sitting next to me, because the film was Italian and it had subtitles. Being the film major, I looked past this and watched the film for what it was. Within the first minute, I was already in love with the film’s score. By the end of the film, I was hiding tears from my Rugby teammates (very difficult to do, by the way). I was crying because the story was wonderful with an INCREDIBLE ending, but I was mainly crying because the music itself was so beautiful that I couldn’t hold anything back. They were perfect musical arrangements mixed perfectly with the moments occurring on screen.
I bought this score the very next day, and I always listen to it when I write. It reminds me of why I love film so much, especially when I doubt my talents and aspirations. The music (and the film) help me keep going, always reminding me that I will write a story that is as wonderful as “Cinema Paradiso” one day, and there will be a perfect musical score to go along with it.
Some people look up to historical figures for inspiration and strength… I listen film scores.