It didn't add anything to this film and actually made it worse, IMO. Too upbeat. It could have been the score for a Dirty Harry movie. As a matter of fact, the whole tone of this movie was as wrong as the music. You got the impression he didn't miss anyone or anything. Boris Sagal made wretched movies anyway so what should you expect?
When you spot your flower, you can't let anything get in your way.
Adaptation
You mean, you didn't dig the swingin' "Omega Man" action theme? Tres Cool, Daddy-O...
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
I agree. I just watched the film for the first time and after it was over, my very first thought was, "MAN, that music sucked!"
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I strongly disagree. I thought the music was perfect for a movie about a person who has adapted to living alone in the world
shareIt was released in 1971, the music back then fitting for the time.
shareIt didn't add anything to this film and actually made it worse, IMO. Too upbeat. It could have been the score for a Dirty Harry movie.
Very much agree with you bhobnine. Lalo Schifrin's Dirty Harry score complemented that movie perfectly. Ron Grainer's score for this was clueless.
Interesting to note in an interview on another thread, Chuck Heston admitted he was personally disappointed with the final cut of this film having initially taken it to the producers. I'd venture to say that among other features, he was wasn't celebrating the aptness and creativeness of the soundtrack.
Uh....
No....
That's kinda like saying, 'Gee, the clothes were great too because they PERFECTLY fit the time period'
Soooo, uh, no....
Bloody awful no matter HOW time 'appropriate'...
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Interesting how many hated it, but many more seem to appreciate it. It honestly made the movie for me. The garage scene in particular, the scene where he crashes his command car, and the final stand against Mathias.
It's subjective, but I felt it worked great with whatever was on the screen. I have no doubts someone could take the same basics and make it a bit more harsh while keeping it very close to the original score.
I love the score. I think I would have recognized it as Ron Grainer's work even without the credit, as I think most fans of The Prisoner would. The music for the scene where Neville is late getting home and is attacked by The Family inside the garage is lifted almost verbatim from The Prisoner, I believe.
Next time you see me, it won't be me
I still don't see how people say if doesn't fit or add to the film. Odd how this theme seems to be viewed as either black or white. I don't know if I would have put this in my top favorites if not for the soundtrack.
shareMy opinion is that though the music may have been inappropriate, I think that was the point. There have been many times in horror/thrillers where they would play happy or upbeat tunes even though the scene or movie may have been dark, Halloween II is an example of that with Mr. Sandman. I thought the music was what made the movie, and you have to remember, this was filmed in '71, so the soundtrack just fit in with the times, which was what most motion picture soundtracks of that time sounded like. The only time they played ominous music was when they showed the body of Ritchie, so I think in that scene, they were intending for it to be serious. And like a poster said, the happy and upbeat music was just a way to show how he adapted to a world supposedly without any other humans.
Lea Michele is a man-stealing bitch!
The worst thing in the film, surely. And didn't a snippet of 'Stairway To Heaven' sneak in somehow?
"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."
Great point, the folk country music in Last House On The Left comes to mind as well. The music and scene contrast create a bizarre atmosphere, almost like an out-of-body experience. Such as this, WTF is appropriate to me. Salem's Lot overthetop accents were fitting in a similar WTF way.
It's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid. - The Stranger
I loved the score, but the track used for the ending WAS too upbeat and Grainer had recorded a "downbeat" track for it. Why the producer chose to use the lighter one was a mystery to both Grainer and Heston.
shareI didn't know that. Interesting.
Next time you see me, it won't be me
The lighter musical score was used to show hope as the younger people drove away, and honestly, I liked it a lot more than the heavier handed piano for the down beat track.
shareI'm reminded of a theme that goes directly against the type, "Hill Street Blues ". Maybe that was Grainer's thinking. BTW, he did something with the music, cause he's got us writing about it. It may not be great, but you gotta say it's interesting.
shareI also hated the music. It felt very out of place. It didn't engage you or immerse you. It didn't give any suspense at all as well. If the music was right, then it would elevate the movie much to a higher cult status, but instead it only hurts the film. Just disappointing.
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