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...
This is a super nice list, Sophie. I agree with you in most cases. Nice you included 'The Whistle Stop Cafe', that has to be one of the most heartbreaking melodies ever. I would have also included the theme from 'The Untouchables', the one they use almost all the movie but it's specially touching when Sean Connery is dying:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp_AoXlCM7Q
I always cry in that scene. Another theme is the one from 'Cinema Paradiso', even when I haven't seen it complete. And, oh, nice u included Jurassic Park's theme, only that it makes me gloom more out of nostalgia. Fun post. Even when it's about emotionally draining scores.
Great choices! John Williams' "Hymn to the Fallen" from Saving Private Ryan (1998) would have made my list, as would John Barry's Love Theme from Out of Africa (1985).
ReplyDeleteCheers!
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