Battle of Britain

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 4005939657826 Format: Soundtrack Label: Colosseum Manufacturer: Colosseum Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Colosseum Release Date: 2004-06-21 Studio: Colosseum
Related Items World War II Film Themes The Film Music of Ron Goodwin The Longest Day - Ultimate World War Movie Theme Collection Battle of Britain - Definitive Edition [1969] The Battle Of Britain (2 Disc Special Edition) [1969]
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Stirring Stuff Comment: If you liked the film then this "proper" original sound track will remind you of the stirring stuff behind both the film and the event that is now from a very long time ago. If you're not aware of the film, then it may have less appeal though it is still pleasant to listen to. This is particularly the case to understand some of the changes of pace or perhaps the positioning of the film audio in relation to the order on the disk (which isn't fully the same as in the film, but not far off). However, if you can visualise the events in the film and the history then it is a good 58 minutes of listening. A personal favourite is "Aces High March", which is part of the opening shot to the film with a Junkers "Iron Annie". On a technical note, a few of the tracks appear to be mono but most in stereo - suggesting that the original studio sources may not have been available in all cases. Customer Rating: Summary: Great Classical Comment: Leaving the film apart this is a very enjoyable piece of stirring classical music. The late Ron Goodwin's recording, although a variation of two themes remains interesting throughout. I am a little biased towards Ron Goodwin, but Sir William Walton's side is also good listening (somewhat Elgarian). A Classic. Customer Rating: Summary: Two fine score on one CD Comment: Walton's "Battle in the Air" sequence was, apparently, only used as Sir Laurence Olivier threatened to have his name removed from the credits unless they used some of Walton's score. Olivier, after all was an old friend of Walton's having collaborated with him on Henry V (Walton's greatest film score) and Hamlet (another great score). I just wanted to add that a new DVD set of the film allows you to programme either Walton's or Ron Goodwin's score when you watch the film. A great idea which means that we can enjoy both these fine scores and compare them as film music. Personally, I think that Walton's "Battle in the Air" sequence is the musical highpoint of the film. Customer Rating: Summary: Ron Goodwin's Finest Hour! Comment: From the infectious main title track; 'Aces High'(aka'The Luftwaffe March'), through to the variations on the 'Battle of Britain theme',this score remains truly memorable and perfectly compliments this classic aviation epic. Variations on both themes are used to complement the stunning aerial photography of both air forces to equal effect. Equally powerful are the cues that underscore the horrors of the war on the ground, notably 'Death and Destruction' and 'Civillian Tragedy'. Sir William Walton's rejected score is also heard here for the first time and, although very different in style to Ron Goodwin's, is equally memorable and vintage Walton. 'Battle In The Air', the only cue from Walton's rejected score to appear in the final cut of the film, features here with the bonus of an alternate take to the one used. This remains one of the most remarkable pieces of music ever written by Walton for the screen. It is used to stunning effect during the scenes of the climactic dogfights over London in September 1940. Brilliantly remastered and sounding as good as new, both original scores stand up equally well and make this a CD to treasure. Vintage Walton certainly, but for me it's Goodwin's score that stays in the memory. Definately a disc that will be played over and over again and,in my opinion, Ron Goodwin's Finest Hour! Customer Rating: Summary: Music from an aviation classic Comment: The music for 'Battle of Britain' will go down in history as being one of the best scores ever written for an aviation film. After dumping Sir Wiliam Walton's music, the producers of the film called in Ron Goodwin just four weeks before the movie was due to be premiered. After a lot of late nights Goodwin provided a classic soundtrack. His 'Luftwaffe March' rates as one of the best pieces of martial music written for the silver screen. Walton's music, of which only 'Battle in the Air' made it into the final cut of the film, was thought to be lost for nearly 30 years, but thankfully resurfaces here. Listening to it, it fits the bill perfectly, which begs the question, why was it dropped in the first place? This is an enhanced CD, which includes a copy of the film's cinema trailer, so those with a PC can enjoy a bit of screen action as well as the movie's score. As with 'Where Eagles Dare', 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines', '633 Squadron', 'The Trap' and many others, this is a fine tribute to Ron Goodwin's composing skills for the silver screen. More Reviews