Customer Reviews

Antarctica

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The music from "Chariots of Fire" is world famous. Unfortunately, few people are aware of "Antarctica," a composition at least equally fantastic. A previous community reviewer says the 1983 movie is mediocre. Was this film a documentary or work of fiction? I can't seem to find any information whatsoever. Thus, it's a safe bet that Koreyoshi Kurahara's movie was not worthy of such incredibly beautiful music. I probably listen to this sound track at least ten hours each month. Vangelis has created a masterpiece that readily conveys the austere coldness of Antarctica's vast and silent wilderness. Tracks 3, 5. & 7 are especially magnificent. One readily imagines heroes facing overwhelming obstacles and dangers.

The Academy Award voting members disgrace themselves when ignoring work deserving of honor merely because the overall movie failed. This is a scandal that should not be tolerated, but it is probably best not to hold one's breath waiting for change. Nonetheless, the disgraceful behavior of the Hollywood elite does not prevent the reader from purchasing a copy. You will most assuredly find "Antarctica" a worthy addition to your film score collection.

Vangelis' soundtrack to Koreyoshi Kurahara's seldom seen and all but forgotten '84 film 'Antarctica' is one of the true undiscovered classics of the last twenty years. Possibly second only to his highly acclaimed 'Chariots of Fire' masterpiece, 'Antarctica eludes to a less emotional, more remote musical experience.

Vangelis' ethereal soundtrack masterfully transports the listener to a barren, yet exquistely beautiful soundscape that superbly captures the sense of isolation and loneliness of this vast, frozen continent. The pieces are haunting, mystical, yet surprisingly peaceful instead of disquieting. Without a doubt this is one of my all-time favorite CD's.

This is probably one of Vangelis' least known and least appreciated musical sountracks. How many people have even heard of this movie? Yet it perfectly captures the "sound" of the icy continent of Antarctica. I haven't seen the movie, but like any good score, just listening to the music paints a picture in my mind. Although the music is completely electronic (the synthesizer was still a bit of a novelity at the time), it isn't too techno sounding. It is very reminiscent of Chariots of Fire, only more ethereal. I highly recommend it to round out the perfect collection of instrumental music.

This soundtrack to the little known Japanese documentary about sled dogs left behind to fend for themselves is one of my favorite CDs. I have the vinyl album as well from when it first came out. The movie was shown on HBO at obscure times, and someone taped it for me. It's true that the movie itself lacks a great deal, but you'll never forget Vangelis' haunting music.

As a composer, Vangelis has clearly grown and expanded since he did this. But you can tell even here that his ear for melodic beauty and simplicity is ever present. Either you have it or you don't, and Vangelis has it in spades. The music evokes the contrasts of this frozen wasteland: bitter cold, icy landscapes, moments of intense beauty amid the stark isolation.

If you're a fan of Vangelis' much more famous Chariots of Fire (as I was as a teen), you'll like this even more. I never tire of listening to it.

Vangelis has produced a huge body of work. Some of it to this day still exceeds quality and production...this being one of them.

Written for a documentary film, this music truly fills the void in any gaps that the film may have had. In short, it perfectly fits the white icy world which the film may or may not have intended.

The opening track sounds a bit ominous as we can almost envision a swirling snowstorm in the Antarctic. The rest is just pure gravy.
Truly a masterpiece, this is one piece of work that every Vangelis fan should enjoy. Originally only issued in Japan (a copy which I procured through pain staking efforts) this gem is now widely available and I suggest to any listerner to get this while it's out there. You will not be disappointed.

After listening to and enjoying the Blade runner soundtrack by Vangelis I Purchased Antarctica. The emotion in the music as well as the intense crisp feel, remind me of the visuals in the movie of the same title. I had bought and listened to the cd B4 seeing the film, i think that was a good thing...If you like film scores from out door theme films and or have enjoyed past Vangelis CD's then Antarctica is worth a listen....try it in quiet place with suround sound and closed eyes, its like winter but without the cold toes!

I like the theme music, which repeats itself throughout the various tracks. It sounds very much like Antarctica. However, I only find myself listening to a few tracks. Track 4 has a little over 2 minutes of solo reed instrument, which sounds like movie music as it doesn't create any atmosphere like the other tracks do. It then repeats track 1 after the reed solo and fades away after a few minutes, which seems kind of strange. I've never known Vangelis to do reprises. Other tracks like five just don't recapture the vastness and escapement that tracks 1 and 2 create. However, if you're wondering whether to buy it, I'll say that some of the tracks are wonderful enough that I wouldn't pass them up given another chance.

I'm not overly familiar with Vangelis other work, beyond my passing cultural awareness of his Chariots of Fire theme, but I do enjoy this album quite a bit. Although its use (and reliance upon) glaringly 80's technology is distracting, the -music- behind the instrumentation is moving and astounding, and wonderful companion to the drama of the film.

I find it very difficult to recall the individual names of the tracks listed on this CD. They all seem to blur into one. You could consider this a negative comment, because if you're looking for an album to demonstrate the dynamics and breadth of Vangelis' music, this is not the one. However, this in my opinion does not take much away from this excellent album. All the tracks revolve around the central theme of Antartica; comparing this to a classical CD the opening track is the theme, and the rest are the variations. Your are left with a feeling of space, isolation, tranqulity etc... - probably exactly what Vangelis intended for this work.

If this is the first Vangelis album you're about to buy then you should probably consider one of his compilations ahead of this; for the established fan, this is a necessary addition to the collection.

My dream is to someday travel to Antartica. When I do, I will be playing 'Antartica' on a CD with earphones while viewing the magnificent stark beauty of the continent, it's ocean and icebergs. This album makes me cry every time I play it. Vangelis was able to depict the 'feel' of this place, even though it is devoid of people and cultures. Actually, there is a 'culture' there; it belongs to the penguins, sea birds, whales - and the beautiful variations in blue.