Top Film Score Collection - Part 7
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Film Score: A Heartfelt Symphony
John Williams’ score for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), released by MCA Records, is a tender masterpiece that amplifies Steven Spielberg’s tale of friendship and wonder. Recorded with a full orchestra in Los Angeles, Williams spent months crafting a soundtrack that balances childlike awe with soaring emotion. The score’s delicate piano motifs and sweeping strings create an intimate yet universal soundscape, perfectly mirroring E.T.’s journey home.
Critic Leonard Maltin hailed its brilliance, stating, “Williams’ music lifts E.T. from a simple story to an emotional odyssey.”
Top Tracks:
1. "Flying" - An exhilarating, iconic theme capturing the magic of E.T. and Elliott’s bike flight.
2. "E.T. and Me" - A gentle, heartfelt melody reflecting their bond.
3. "E.T.’s Halloween" - A whimsical, playful track blending mischief and warmth.
Nominated for an Oscar and winner of a Grammy, the score’s enduring charm lies in its emotional resonance. Re-released in expanded editions, like the 1996 version by MCA, it remains a pinnacle of Williams’ career—evoking tears and joy in equal measure, cementing E.T. as a timeless classic.
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The Fountain
The Transcendent Beauty of The Fountain’s Film Score
Clint Mansell’s score for The Fountain (2006), performed by Kronos Quartet and Mogwai, is a haunting, transcendent work that weaves love, loss, and eternity. With aching strings, delicate piano, and atmospheric guitars, Mansell crafts a minimalist yet deeply emotional soundscape that mirrors the film’s triptych narrative across centuries. The score’s cyclical motifs and layered textures evoke the search for immortality and the persistence of devotion, resonating with raw, spiritual intensity. Its fusion of classical and post-rock creates a timeless, otherworldly feel.
Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks praises, “Mansell’s The Fountain is a soul-stirring masterpiece, its elegance and depth profoundly moving” (filmtracks.com, 2006).
Top 3 Tracks:
1. “Together We Will Live Forever” – A tender, piano-driven track that radiates love’s enduring hope.
2. “The Last Man” – A melancholic, string-led piece that captures existential longing with grace.
3. “Death Is the Road to Awe” – A soaring, climactic track blending strings and percussion, embodying transcendence.
Nominated for a Golden Globe, Mansell’s score is a luminous journey, as infinite as the story it tells.
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Rudy
Rudy Film Score: An Inspirational Triumph
Jerry Goldsmith’s score for Rudy (1993), released by Varèse Sarabande, is a stirring tribute to perseverance in David Anspaugh’s underdog tale. Recorded with a full orchestra in Los Angeles, Goldsmith’s work blends robust brass, tender strings, and uplifting melodies to echo Rudy Ruettiger’s relentless spirit. Its classic, heart-on-sleeve style amplifies the film’s emotional peaks, from quiet resolve to gridiron glory.
The Chicago Tribune’s Michael Wilmington called it “a score that lifts you out of your seat with its sheer, unabashed passion.”
Top Tracks:
1. "Main Title" - A bold, hopeful opener with soaring brass and strings.
2. "Tryouts" - A dynamic, pulse-pounding track capturing Rudy’s determination.
3. "The Final Game" - An exultant, tear-jerking climax of triumph and pride.
Though not Oscar-nominated, the score—expanded in 2018 by Varèse Sarabande—remains one of Goldsmith’s most beloved, its sincerity resonating with fans of inspirational cinema. With its rousing themes and tender interludes, Rudy’s soundtrack embodies the power of dreams, making every note a cheer for the little guy who dared to believe.
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The Last of the Mohicans
The Fierce Passion of The Last of the Mohicans’ Film Score
Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman’s score for The Last of the Mohicans (1992) is a stirring, visceral masterpiece that pulses with the film’s raw emotion. Jones’ Celtic-inspired themes, driven by fiery strings and bold percussion, capture the untamed frontier and Hawkeye’s relentless spirit. Edelman’s contributions add tender, romantic depth, balancing the score’s intensity with moments of intimacy. The music’s blend of orchestral grandeur and primal energy mirrors the clash of cultures and epic romance, making it unforgettable.
James Southall of Movie Wave raves, “Jones and Edelman’s score is a breathtaking fusion of passion and power, perfectly capturing the film’s heart” (movie-wave.net, 2008).
Top 3 Tracks:
1. “Main Title” – A sweeping, Celtic-infused theme with driving strings, evoking the wilderness’ majesty.
2. “The Kiss” – A tender, lyrical track with soft strings, embodying Hawkeye and Cora’s love.
3. “Promentory” – A climactic, pulsating piece with fierce violin, underscoring the film’s tragic intensity.
The score’s emotional depth and vigor make it a timeless classic, resonating like echoes across the mountains.
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Superman
The Iconic Superman Film Score
John Williams’ score for Superman: The Movie (1978) is a soaring triumph, defining superhero music with its bold brass fanfares and sweeping strings. Capturing the Man of Steel’s heroism, the score blends grandeur with heart, from Krypton’s ethereal tones to Metropolis’ vibrant energy. Williams’ iconic “Superman Theme” instantly evokes flight and hope, while subtler cues underscore Clark Kent’s humanity and Lois Lane’s romance. Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, it’s a timeless classic.
Craig Lysy of Movie Music UK raves, “The Superman March is an iconic anthem… establishing anthems as the means of bringing these bigger than life super heroes to life” (moviemusicuk.us, 2018).
Top 3 Tracks:
1. “Theme from Superman (Main Title)” – A rousing, unforgettable march that embodies Superman’s strength and optimism.
2. “The Flying Sequence/Can You Read My Mind?” – A dreamy, romantic cue with lush strings, capturing Superman and Lois’ nighttime flight.
3. “The Planet Krypton” – Haunting and majestic, it sets an otherworldly tone for Superman’s origins.
Williams’ Oscar-nominated score remains a benchmark, lifting superhero films to new heights.
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True Grit
The Stoic Heart of True Grit’s Film Score
Carter Burwell’s score for True Grit (2010), directed by the Coen Brothers, is a lean, evocative work that channels the rugged spirit of the American West. Drawing on 19th-century hymns, Burwell uses spare piano, somber strings, and subtle brass to craft a soundscape that mirrors Mattie Ross’ relentless quest for justice. The score’s restrained, folk-infused melodies evoke stoicism and moral clarity, grounding the film’s gritty landscapes and sharp dialogue. By reworking traditional tunes like “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” Burwell honors the story’s roots while adding emotional depth.
Jonathan Broxton of Movie Music UK lauds, “Burwell’s True Grit is a soulful, understated gem, perfectly capturing the film’s resolute spirit” (moviemusicuk.us, 2010).
Top 3 Tracks:
1. “The Wicked Flee” – A haunting, hymn-based track with delicate piano, setting Mattie’s determined tone.
2. “Ride to Fort Smith” – A steady, string-led piece that evokes the journey’s vast, lonesome beauty.
3. “The Hanging Man” – A somber, reflective cue with soft brass, underscoring justice’s weight.
Burwell’s score is a quiet triumph, its simplicity as bold as Mattie’s courage.
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