Customer Reviews

Anna & The King

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The score to Anna and the King is a beautiful landscape of multiple layers. With its percussive liveliness and majestic undertones, this score is one of a kind and it could well be the best classical film score of 1999. Of course, many would compare it with The Last Emperor, Kundun and Mulan, all of which contain Oriental influences. And compare them I did. But rather than repeating the status quo of what Oriental music is thought to sound like, I feel that Anna and the King is in a class of its own with lyrical melodies and aural qualities never before explored. With this unique identity, it re-defines the boundaries of musical scoring. Featuring a diversity of East meets West, the score fuses the best of Oriental and Western musical influences to give the listener a kingdom of so long ago. The percussions and bells are very characteristic of Thai culture, and these are very well utilized to evoke the majesty, the suspense and of course the tender moments of the film. I believe George Fenton has composed his best score to date with Anna and the King. Had the score been longer, say 77 minutes, that would certainly have been heaven! Nevertheless, at 59.13 minutes, this CD will keep the listener entertained for up to an hour.

There are a few surprises. For example, on track 15 entitled The Execution, the piano takes centre-stage. Instead of a pounding motive, Mr. Fenton's choice of piano music has the ability to focus our attention on the lovers (Tuptim and Balat) rather than the execution process. By doing so, we are thus able to connect with the characters rather than just listening to the execution scene.

The score works remarkably well on its own. Tracks are of sufficient length to keep the listener well-entertained and even the shortest track of them all does not end abruptly. To this end, Mr. Fenton's meticulous attention to detail is awe-inspiring. Take a listen to track no. 5 "letter of the week". As the music swells mid-way through, imagine a giant dragon boat sailing down a river and the hill-tops in the background are covered in a thick mist. I must say that having watched the film only once, the music was powerful enough to evoke vivid images from the film everytime I listen to the CD.

The CD is well-arranged and there is never a dull moment. The recording is good. Sound quality is well-regulated with deep bass and spatial resonance all round. It felt like I was there in the concert hall with the orchestra playing.

My only minor disappointment is the vocal love theme song on track 1. Somehow I felt that it should have come at the end, thus making way for the main title to better establish the opening scene. The song is simplistic, perhaps a little unsophisticated. But my baby sister enjoys it. So there is beauty in simplicity after all! And I suppose this CD has something for everyone!

It is a score that should be listened to with closed eyes in a darkened room. No words, no expressions can describe the inspiring power, the grandeur and tender compassion of this score to Anna and the King. And with Mr. Fenton conducting his own compositions, that's an additional mark for quality and craftsmanship.

Its Golden Globe nomination bears witness to its impressive artistry. Please give the Oscar to George Fenton for a masterpiece well done!

Honestly, I haven't watched "Anna and the King" yet, but judging from the score arranged so skilfully even for its commercial, I found it almost obliging the need to get this movie's soundtrack. Luckily for me, I wasn't disappointed, and it's no wonder that it's been nominated for Best Score in the upcoming Golden Globe Awards!

Though the musical composer is American, he has managed so magically to capture oriental moods, adding splendidly to the authenticity of a film set in havenly Thailand. Away from the various impressions the different images from the movie give you, the score proudly makes Asia - Thailand, in this case - an "audible" sanctuary. The title theme from the movie needs special mention because it is so moving, yet so strong, conveying the peaceful mystery of oriental life, and simultaneously transcending the love of Anna and the King. Every track is non-repetitive, has a meaning of its own, and brings tears of triumph and poignancy to one's eyes. The best thing is, you never get sick of crying while listening to this!

Frankly, the love theme is a bad snoozer on its own - there just isn't the punch of emotion we search for in a love drama's score (and it is anyone's guess why it's been nominated for Best Song!). Still, with the rest of this soundtrack as satisfying as I've shown you to be, who cares? Pass of the love theme which is awkwardly not pop yet non-classical - just enjoy the rest of the music!

One of the most moving soundtracks I've ever heard...the soundtrack to Anna and the King was what really made the movie the great movie that it was. The love theme is so beautiful and haunting, not only expressing the love of Anna and the king but also the forbidden love of Tuptim and Balat. The Execution music moved me to tears. I would definitely recommend this soundtrack to anyone who liked the movie.

Whether you like "Anna and the King" or not, this music is incredible. It almost takes you somewhere else with its sweet but sad love themes, its amazing mixture of oriental and victorian sounds, and its magnificent and regal statements presented throughout the soundtrack. It is the kind of music which can be turned up to full volume on your entertainment-system to enjoy the majesty and grandness of the music, or it can be played quietly to enhance the simplicity and sweetness of many passages.

Honestly, I love this soundtrack. It has the ability to please almost any of my moods. If you enjoy any John Williams, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, or other similar film-composers' music, I believe you will find this one comparable or even a favorite to those. It's definitely worth your money!

An exquisite soundtrack! It brought me to tears the first time I listened to it as I was reminded of the emotion in the film. I wanted to go back in time for a spell and BE Anna.

Anna and the king is a film that deserves oscar concideration, especially for score and song. George Fenton is the master of the score that is quiet but unmistakeably powerful. He takes from the gradure of Mongkut's palace to the sad seperation of King Mongkut and Anna. He never Composes that annoying melody that you never know what movie it is from, but always composes to be felt throughout the entire scene and beyond. You listen to his melodies and you don't even know they are there. If George Fenton ever deserved an acadamy award it is the moving and gentle score to Anna and the King. This movie deserves awards as does one of the best scores I have ever heard. Where is the music from? For anna and the king's preview before star wars episode one.

George Fenton is the greatest of composers and he should be reconized for one of his two best works Anna and the King(his other one is Ever After.)

Being utterly obsessed with the movie, 'Anna and the King', I couldn't wait to get the soundtrack, just because it's music from my movie. But I have gotten instrumental soundtracks before and been sorely disapointed, so deep down I wasn't sure what to expect. George Fenton certainly didn't disapoint me. The soundtrack starts of with the unbelievably beautiful 'How Can I Not Love You?' written by Babyface and sung by Joyce Enriquez. (Long before I saw the movie, I heard that on the radio and fell in love. It is PERFECT for the movie.)Everything else is instrumental, but I can't put into words how great it is. Even if I wasn't utterly obsessed with 'Anna', I would still gladly recommend the soundtrack. And if you have seen the movie, when you listen to the CD, you replay the scenes from it when you listen. The lilting, sweeping, scores tinged with that oriental flute sound are perfect for moonlit nights! Some numbers, like the mvie, are meloncholy, some sad, some happy and dance-y. If you buy this CD or tape (I have both!:), I promise you won't be disapointed.

I am writing this while I am listening to the music and I must say this is one of the most wonderful music that I have ever heard in my life.

I have seen Anna and the King twice, the first time with my Mom and the second time with my boyfriend. Indeed, when I saw the movie for the 2nd time, I didn't pay much attention to the movie itself, but rather than its music.

I have grown up under the strong influence of oriental culture, and I am very impressed by the oriental music which is so perfectly comprehended into the western music. Since I like it so much, I brought not only one for myself, but also another one for my boyfriend. I am sure once you hear, you know every single penny that you spend is worthy.

I thought the score was completely wonderful, not a bad thing on the CD. (Except for one song jumps, but that's not really George Fenton's fault, is it?) The songs that especially moving were: The Execution, Anna Returns, "I Have Danced With A King" which all have one thing in common, the main theme. It is so beautiful, I get tears in my eyes listening to it, and when its put to film, it makes it twice as more emotional. I didn't think "How Can I Not Love You?" was all too bad, considering how terrible I think "You'll Be In My Heart" is, it really put good use to how Anna and the King really felt at the end of the movie. It is the best film score I have ever heard, and I recommend it to everyone!

I saw the movie last night - and my first urge was to buy the album! I can't tell you how much the music played such a key role in wringing your tears from your eyes! As for Joy Enriquez's 'How Can I not Love You' track - that is beautiful!

Once you see the movie - you'd be moved to buy the album, and if not - certainly Joy Enriquez's 'How Can I not Love You' single, if there is one out there!