Tom's Top Ten - Film Scores

By Thomas Broome-Jones

Film is a visual art, that's a no-brainer. We like to judge a film's strengths based on its ability to create a world that we can really engage with and believe. But every great visual experience can be improved upon with a cracking original score. In this list are the top then film scores that I consider my favourite, let's be clear on this, these aren't soundtracks, these are scores composed for a specific film. They don't necessarily have to be orchestral, but most great film scores are, if we're honest. So, here we go.

10. Tron: Legacy (2010)

 

You know I said that a score didn't have to be orchestral? This is a perfect example of that. What is, in my opinion at least, a pretty underrated film and a solid sequel, Tron: Legacy boasted a score composed by French electronic music duo Daft Punk. Whilst not only being one of my favourite musical acts, the robotic-like enigmas behind the masterful, instant classic and generation-defining album Homework are now amongst my favourite film composers.

They were logically the best choice to compose the music for a film all about technology and boy did they deliver. Their wavy electro tones and bass-heavy beats really shone through in this film and made it that much more enjoyable for me. They even made a little cameo as nightclub DJs as well, gotta love that fan service.

9. The Full Monty (1997)

A truly classic British film with a truly classic score. Anne Dudley's creative use of orchestral instruments give the film two distinctive sounds. One is reminiscent of farcical comedy with its thick and deep tone, somewhat similar to the theme from the TV comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the other reflects the theme of the film perfectly, stripping. A light and whimsical tune with a cheeky edge that you could quite easily imagine accompanying a human being removing articles of clothing in front of a crowd.

A charming comedy with heart needs to have charming music with heart, which it very much does. Anne Dudley is highly overlooked as a composer and it's a crying shame due to her obvious talent, although she did take home an Oscar for this so at least she's been recognized by her peers. But the fact that the public isn't as aware of her is a bit rubbish, really.

8. Taxi Driver (1976)

A film that I consider to be one of the top 3 greatest ever made has to have one heck of a score, and one heck of a score it has. If it wasn't for Hans Zimmer and John Williams, I'm willing to bet money that the late, great Bernard Herrmann's name would be on everyone's minds when it came to the all-time greatest film composers.

Taxi Driver is easily his defining work, the two opposing sounds of soft, harmonious clarity rapidly slashed with frantic flailing perfectly represent protagonist Travis' descent into madness. The score is almost scary in its construction and sounds like something out of a horror film. This was one of Herrmann's last ever compositions, as a matter of fact he died before the film was even released. It's good then that he went out with a bang. In the hands of a lesser composer, Scorsese's classic psychological mind-bender may have lost a significant amount of its emotional impact.

7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Let me get this out of the way now, John Williams has 3 spots on this list and I in no way regret that decision. He may be limited to an extent as most of his scores sound pretty much the same, but I was raised on films that he composed and in turn, hum his work on a regular basis.

Do I need to remind you what it sounds like? The triumphant waves of sound that accompany this American classic go hand-in-hand with the adventure and thrill that is presented to us on screen. It's a near perfect theme that fills me with excitement and brings back all kinds of wonderful childhood memories as soon as it kicks in. I remember adoring this film as a child and the Oscar-nominated score is one of the reasons why.

6. The James Bond Franchise (1962-present)

Picking just one Bond film was impossible. This composition has been re-done in so many interesting ways since Dr. No first hit the cinemas in 1962 but the true father of it is Mr. Monty Norman. An iconic theme, it's sharp, suspenseful and thrilling, like every good spy film should be. Definitely a theme that will be with us for a long while, or as long as they continue to make Bond films, at least.

5. Batman (1989)

When you think of Tim Burton there are typically 3 other people that will accompany that thought, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Danny Elfman. This was the composer's second collaboration with the king of gothic wackiness and is instantly recognizable by fans of the caped crusader.

One of Elfman's most famous compositions, the Grammy-nominated score is fleeting, loud, bold and filled with bravado and mystique. I don't know how Elfman did it, but he managed to lift Batman from the pages of the comics and match him as a character. This is probably the most well-known Batman theme, various versions of it have emerged over the years in other Batman films, the animated TV series and video games, I love it.

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

 

It was hard choosing which Batman theme I liked more and whilst I prefer Tim Burton's version as a film over The Dark Knight, I have to edge Hans Zimmer's wicked score to Christopher Nolan's superhero epic. If there's one thing that you can easily identify a Nolan film by, it's the music, loud horns, sweeping soundscapes and flurries of heavy rhythmic attacks. The music works so well with the images on screen in this film, particularly during the opening sequence, wherein the various ticks denote a feeling of time passing by, time being somewhat essential when executing a bank heist. Definitely snubbed of an Oscar nomination.

                    

                                3. Jurassic Park (1993)                                    

Old Johnny boy's back (what did I tell you?) and he's still making me hum his darn scores as I go through my day-to-day life. This is one of my top 30 favourite films ever and the score is a part of that. A film all about the danger and majesty of the creatures that once roamed the Earth recreates such danger and majesty in its iconic theme.

Whilst I'm quite outspoken on my criticisms of Steven Spielberg as a director, his films do have the profound ability to really draw an emotional response from the viewer. If Hitchcock was the master of suspense, then Spielberg is certainly the master of emotion and I think that a key part of that is the way in which music flows with the images that we see in his films. Jurassic Park is no exception to this.

2. Star Wars (1977)

Okay, I PROMISE that this is the last you'll see of John Williams on this list, but considering that he's been nominated for 48 Academy Awards it's pretty impressive that he only got 3 mentions. Admittedly, E.T and Jaws would make an appearance if this were a top 20 list, but I digress.

This is probably the single most iconic score in the history of motion picture music. If you don't know it then it's unforgivable, love it or hate it this theme SHOULD be in your head somewhere. Just listening to it conjures up an image of epic space battles, romance, thrills and epic storytelling in my head. It's classical feel bears similarities to Holst's The Planets, specifically Mars as well as the usual sounds that John Williams produces. This was the composition of my childhood, much like the original Star Wars trilogy were the films of it.

1. The Godfather (1972)

Iconic, instantly recognizable, epic, I struggle to find the words to describe the score to this multiple Academy Award-winning masterpiece. But words are not needed with music, all you have to do is listen.

A tale of crime, family, betrayal, love and loss must be told with such a wide range of emotions and the theme does so with such grace and beauty. Say what you will about it, but this is my number 1 pick for my favourite and greatest film score of all-time.

What did you think of this list? Do you agree or disagree with any of my picks? Leave a comment or tweet me your opinion @TBroomey.