Customer Reviews

American History X

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not acquainted with Anne Dudley's previous soundtracks, however after watching this film I had to buy this soundtrack. Listening while remembering the context of the film will definitely have you enjoying this soundtrack, but even if you're not acquainted with the film this is a disc definitely worth checking out.

Anne Dudley, Oscar winner for last years THE FULL MONTY, scales new heights with this elegiac and moving work. Much like the film that inspired it, this is a haunting and ultimately sorrowful examination of the effects of hatred and racism. But while the film is often almost unbearably brutal, the score is more restrained providing a powerful contrast to the images onscreen. Aside from John William's SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, this may be the best score of the year. With AMERICAN HISTORY X, Dudley, who is British, follows in the tradition of Dvorak and, more recently, John Barry, foreign composers who, with their NEW WORLD SYMPHONY and score to DANCES WITH WOLVES, respectively, were able to capture a sound and mood that is distinctly American. If Dudley's Oscar win for THE FULL MONTY can be seen as more of a consolation prize for what was a good, but not great, score to a much loved film, then AMERICAN HISTORY X should be seen as her first truly great score in what looks to be a long and exciting career.

This was just the best soundtrack Ive heard. It has captured the emotions of the film in a perfect way. (Or is it that the songs made the emotions in the movie?)

"American History X" was one of the most disturbing and powerful films of the late 1990s. It tells the story of a former white supremacist (the Oscar-nominated Edward Norton) who is trying to turn his younger brother (played by Edward Furlong) away from the path of violence and racial hatred.

Anne Dudley has composed and conducted a haunting score for this film. Her orchestral score is at times mournful, and often very beautiful. Although I think the score works better as a complement to the film than as an independent piece of musical art, I still recommend this disc to serious collectors of film music.

As an Edward Norton fan, I already wanted to see "American History X." I didn't realize that Anne Dudley had done the score, so I was blown away by the first ten minutes (the shootout). The scene climaxes with an atonal string-shriek that further embeds that moment of onscreen horror (The Curb) in my skull. The choir gently raises its voices in defiance of the despair and rage expressed in the orchestra.

Dudley's score most reminds of Bernard Herrmann's work for "Fahrenheit 451." Though not as animated, she brings similar pathos and tragic beauty to the compositions. There's also a touch of Howard Shore ("Silence of The Lambs," "Se7en")here and there. Where her earlier score for "The Crying Game" was more romantic, the music for "X" reflects the tragedy and sorrow of the story.

Some may find certain passages (e.g., "We Are Not Enemies") schmaltzy in a John Williams fashion. However, I'm a Williams fan. A good score communicates the director's intentions; while the images show us WHAT, the music can express WHY.

First of all friends, if you haven't seen "American History X" you need to head down (or up) to the local video store and rent a copy. The movie is incredible; perhaps one of the best films of 1998.

The score by Anne Dudley is impressive. If you're a fan of the movie, buy this soundtrack; you won't be disappointed. This score is truly the heart and soul of the film.

This is an incredible soundtrack; my opinion however, may be a little skewed considering American History X is my all-time favorite film. The music nonetheless is incredibly moving even if you haven't seen the movie, but I highly recommend at least one viewing to fully appreciate the deep emotion that is accompanied with each track.

This score by Anne Dudley, successfully shows the redemption from hate monger to human being by Derek Vinyard. Track 15 to me shows this the most. The concept of Derek Vinyard's redemption has a soft spot in my heart. Great score.

do they have the soundtrack with the music and word for the movie?