Customer Reviews

Battle of Britain [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

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

 

 

Ron Goodwin is one of the most underrated film composers of his time. Single-handedly he made music for war films into something of an art form with "Where Eagles Dare," "Operation Crossbow," and especially "The Battle of Britain." His stirring main theme will always call to mind the soaring beauty of British Spitfires and Hurricanes, and the few courageous pilots who held the breach against the Nazi scourge in the summer of 1940. But equally worthy of note is his wonderful German march. Indeed, it ranks as one of the best in the genre. There was a controversy with the film that involved the music. Originally, Sir William Walton was to do the score and in fact he produced some very interesting music. In the end it was not quite what director Guy Hamilton and producer Harry Saltzman had in mind, however, and Goodwin was brought in. The current version of the film includes elements of both scores, oddly enough. Most of Goodwin's music is still there, but two elements of Walton's score are also evident ("Battle in the Air" and the "Finale"). The recent release by Varese is an updated version of the RKO CD of 1999 with new notes, artwork and updated sound. It is remarkable in that it includes both Goodwin's score (including his own "End Title" which is arguably the better ending)and the music written by Walton, as did the earlier version. This is a rare treat for film buffs. The new release is very nicely packaged with notable production values and a reasonable price.

I remember watching this film at the flicks in 1970. How quaint it is now to see real aeroplanes! Wonderful film and a superb soundtrack, especially the foot tapping "Aces High" and the one William Walton composition retained for the film "Battle in the Air" The stirring "Battle of Britain March" brings it to a great conclusion.

When movie was finally release on DVD, I raced out and bought a copy. This was a great flick, which does a pretty good job representing the key elements of this historical battle. The soundtrack contains all the critical music from the movie, and will find its way to your mp3 player for frequent play. Very happy with this collection.

Most of Walton's score was rejected, the producers needed something accessible to the masses, catchy and bombastic, so they resorted to Goodwin. Thanks to Laurence Olivier, who threatened to take his own name off the picture if Battle in the Air wasn't kept, the world was blessed with a true masterwork. It lasts only 5 minutes but it's genius. Symphonic, elegant, at the same menacing and propulsive.

Get this for Battle in the Air alone, the rest is mostly run-of-the-mill movie background music.

Ron Goodwin's soundtrack "Battle of Britian" has to be one of the most stirring, exciting movies scores I've ever heard. It deserves far more praise and attention that it gets. The music of this soundtrack truly moves you and you want to hear it over and over again. It will always be one of my favorites.

Ron Goodwin is awesome. This Soundtrack again shows his genius of producing great stirring (military)music for an equally great film. His main title and "Aces High" march are great works of music and the other pieces are also great. Walton 's score is also really good(especially his Battle of Britain march and Battle in the Air). The two scores for the film are put together in this great Cd. A must buy for all film music lovers.

The film score by Ron Goodwin is wonderful to listen to. However, with only a couple of exceptions, I found the score by Sir William Walton painful to listen to (no wonder much was not included in the film). Be sure to rip the Goodwin pieces to a CD or MP3 player and leave Sir Wm. Walton at home.

A fine score. Ron Goodwin has composed several fine scores for war films including this one.