Customer Reviews

All the Pretty Horses (2001 Film)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The "All The Pretty Horses" soundtrack boasts bevy of beautful and haunting melodies. Each song allows the listener to escape from the pressures of 21st century life, and to a time and place where the West was still wild and free, and chivalry was still very much alive. Most will recognize composer Marty Stuart from his work in the country music genre. He uses his influence in country when composing songs as it is apparent alot of time and effort went into each one. Kudos go out to him and director Billy Bob Thortan for crafting such emotionally-driven music. This is truly a great album, but....
I cannot in good conscience give this album the 5 stars it should have deserved for the simple fact of the matter that the album seems short. Many of the songs serve mainly as "teasers" as they last upwards to one minute in most instances. That is it. There are television commercials longer then that. The album itself runs around 50 minutes with 23 songs, so one can easily do the math here to figure out that most of the songs serve more as samplers. The length of the songs, or lack of, alone bring the quality of this album down. Why there wasn't a 2 CD set released is beyond me. For Old West enthusiasts, not unlike myself, this album fits like a glove, but still carries with it the mild-nauseating feeling of being having been cheated. For film scores buffs in general, I implore you to try your luck with Tombstone, BraveHeart or Gladiator instead.

This is a must buy for fans of western soundtracks.It mixes beautifully symphonic music with Guitar music and spices it up all together with a south of the border flavor. Haunting music that will make you want to never take it out of your cd changer. It also
Features two vocal pieces, the first a spanish song sung by the very talented Raul Malo of the country group the mavericks, the second song is a beautiful ballad sung by Marty Stuart. Though I never owned any cd's of Marty Stuart he earns my respect with composing this film score.(cowboy hats off to you Mr.Stuart)

Marty Stuart has always been a country traditionalist and it shows in his score to "All the Pretty Horses". His use of mandolins, acoustic guitars and traditional fiddle set the mood and accompany the amazing landscape scenes beautifully. I usually don't leave the theater thinking more about the music than the movie, but this time I did. The spanish song "Porque" is absolutely gorgeous and is sung beautifully by Raul Malo of the Mavericks. He also has a cameo in the film as well. I would highly recommend this cd to anyone yearning for the music of the old west and simpler times.

Oh that Marty! This is really a wonder. Each moment is divine. Each song is special . Each track evokes this film perfectly. Marty Stuart is an incredible talent as a songwriter and now he's proven himself to be a natural at scoring film. This is really special music. It is music to be savored as well as music to tap toes to! The Golden Globe should be as easy as pie...and justly deserved.

For those of you out there who have not seen this film yet, please do. It is definitely not for everyone but if you are the type who doesn't have to have quick cuts and fast action to enjoy a movie, you will most likely enjoy it. Just keep in mind, the biggest complaint from the critics was the pacing which they described as "hopscotching" from one scene to the next. This is not a flaw. The original cut was just a shade under four hours long, if it seems that something is missing, there is. Roughly half the film. It has been stated that the full, original version will make the DVD release. On the big screen, the amazing cinematography really does its work. The film is not so much of a love story between two people as it is a love story about two young men's love of a way of life in a time when that way is rapidly dissapearring. It's a story about taking a turn off the beaten path in search of a better way of life and sel-discovery. Matt Damon, Henry Thomas, and Lucas Black are perfectly cast and turn in GREAT performances. Now the music. Mr. Thornton has a Wonderful sense of music and a brilliant insight as to how a film's score can make or break a movie. So he hired on country veteran Marty Stewart and put him in charge of the music. Smart move indeed. I don't usually buy soundtracks, especially not scores, but upon seeing the movie, I had to have it. It's also a great accompanyment for the book. There is not a bad note on the whole thing. I am sure that anyone who liked this movie will enjoy the soundtrack.

This album is a masterpiece. Within the first strums of the guitar, you feel as though you are among the southwestern hills. It has immediately become one of my favorites of all-time. The songs are filled with beautiful imagery, enchanting tunes, and haunting melodies. The shortness of the songs in unnoticable, as each song blends into the next, and the album itself serves as one epic journey. It is not meant to be listened to a song at a time, but as a whole. As I said, it is truly incredible. I would recommend it to absolutely anyone.

I loved the soundtrack, but i have been looking for a song that was in the trailer, and its not on the soundtrack. If you watch the trailer, the song im referring to is at the part where matt damon and penelope cruz "go for a swim." If anyone knows the name of that song, could u please post it on here, thanks!

I have played this sound track 50 times in the last three weeks and have yet to get tired of hearing it. If this sound track is not nominated for an Oscar, something is wrong in Hollywood - but that is usually a good bet. It should win the Oscar, but the competition is always tough. It is just one of those sound tracks that takes you THERE, and I don't mean back to the movie, which was better than most, but not great. The acting was better than the story. See it and you will know what I mean.

But, the music literally takes you to the old West and to Old Mexico. The music is hauntingly beautiful and authentically southwestern in every way. Actually, it could have been two CD's instead of one. So many of the beautiful melodies and movements could have been expanded upon so much further. The sheer number of different melodies and instrumental treatments is amazing. It is NOT one of those sound tracks with only one melody played 50 different ways by 100 different instruments. I honestly hope they take the material and expand it further, because if there is one valid criticism, it is that beautiful movements are cut short prematurely. If you love things western, you will not regret buying this sound track. The melodies will not leave your head and they are haunting and beautiful.

The music is haunting and beautiful, but unfortunately each selection is simply a short one minute (or less) clip of what you would hope to be a far longer piece of music. Just as you are settling into a Southwestern mood, the selection just stops. This CD could be so much more if each selection played for a few minutes to set a mood, instead it just stops suddenly and goes on to the next selection. I recommend buying it, but you too will be disappointed in the brevity of each beautiful piece of music.

I thoroughly enjoyed this soundtrack cd. It soars high on ambiance, romance, and easy listening.