OK, so saying that they're emotionally draining is maybe a bit of an exaggeration but after talking about the music in Anne of Green Gables the other day, I got to thinking about other film soundtracks that make me really emotional and sometimes (always...) make me cry if I listen to them too hard. Then I thought, HEY! Why not make a post about my 10 most moving film themes? So here I am. I've included the themes from some films and specific tracks and recordings from others. I decided not to include anything from musicals (because that would make it really impossible for me to just pick 10) and also no songs, just instrumentals. I hope you enjoy!
Honourable mentions to: Evenstar ("The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"), Theme from "Modern Times" (known as Smile), and Tales of a Jedi Knight/Learn About the Force (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope).
10. Valley of the Shadow
Film: Little Women, 1994
Composer: Thomas Newman
9. Theme from Jurassic Park
Film: Jurassic Park, 1993
Composer: John Williams
8. Victory Celebration
Film: Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi, 1983
Composer: John Williams
7. The Breaking of the Fellowship
Film: The Fellowship of the Ring, 2001
Composer: Howard Shore
6. Tara's Theme
Film: Gone With the Wind, 1939
Composer: Max Steiner
5. Stand By Me
Film: Stand By Me, 1986
Composer: Ben. E. King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
4. My Heart Will Go On
Film: Titanic, 1997
Composer: James Horner
Pianist: George Davidson
3. Together
Film: Anne of Green Gables, 1985
Composer: Hagood Hardy
2. The Whistle Stop Cafe
Film: Fried Green Tomatoes, 1991
Composer: Thomas Newman
1. Theme from Schindler's List
Film: Schindler's List, 1993
Composer: John Williams
Violin Solo by Itzhak Perlman
It was a real ordeal to compile this list, I must say. Firstly, I had to limit the amount of John Williams on the list (not that there can ever be too much John Willioms - all hail him!) so I decided that I would include no more than one track from one film. Then, I had to decide which ones wouldn't make the final 10. Devastated that I had to leave Evenstar out - if you haven't heard it, go and listen to it now! Finally, I had to rank them and then stress about the fact that I just know I've left out some amazing tracks that have just slipped my mind, because that's always what happens when I make lists. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed listening to my 10 most moving film themes/tracks/whateveryouwanttocallthem and let me know which are your favourites!
P.S. Is it odd that whenever I listen to My Heart Will Go On (the piano instrumental, I'm not into Celine's version really) I think of Stany's Titanic? Because, despite the fact that I will cry if I see the end of the film, I'm really not a fan of Kate and Leo's Titanic. It's just all a bit blegh to me, whereas Stany's is just fantastic! When I wrote my review on it last year I was a bit non-plussed, but it's really grown on me. You should watch it.
P.P.S I just realised there is only one "classic" film on the list. Oh dear...
