Battlefield Earth: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

Elia Cmiral | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 2, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00004SZVQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,439 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Battlefield Earth Theme

2. The Dome

3. Jonnie Leaves

4. Meeting Carlos, the Hunter

5. Teri

6. Jonnies Enlightment

7. The Plan/Fort Hood

8. Chrissy

9. Denver Library

10. Chrissy Collected

11. Man Animal Revolt

12. Mountain Tribe

13. Psychlo's Wrangler

14. Psychlo's Top 40

15. Commence Revolt

16. Do You Want Lunch?

17. Revolt Continues

18. Options for Renewal

19. Hope at Last

20. The Cavalary

See all 28 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cmiral turns out another great piece of work!, February 14, 2001

By 

Michael24 (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battlefield Earth: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Audio CD)

When I first started reading the pre-release buzz surrounding this score, describing it as one that "looked to STAR WARS, BLADE RUNNER, and ALIEN" (or whichever films they were) for inspiration, I thought to myself, "Oh. Great. Another score ruined by a heavy temp-track influence and too many references/rip-offs to sci-fi scores past." Well, when I saw the film on opening weekend (yes, I'm one of the ones who paid to see it), I was simply blown away by the music. It was the complete, total opposite of what I had expected. With the exception of a small bit similar to Waterworld early on, I heard not one piece of music that reminded me of another score.

Written in an impressive six weeks, Elia Cmiral's score for BATTLEFIELD EARTH is a change-of-pace from the scores usually associated with big science-fiction movies, similar to how his RONIN was very different from the typical action/thriller scores. Utilizing the orchestra and synths, he mixes the two beautifully and uses them to create a superb score. Regardless of what you think of the film (and I'm sure we all know what everyone thinks of it), you have to admit that Cmiral's score certainly is interesting for a sci-fi film.

The album opens with the "Battlefield Earth Theme," a too-short heroic fanfare for three trumpets in unison, with the crushing percussion provided by huge Japanese Taiko war drums, accompanied by a rising chorus toward the end of the track. "The Dome" perfectly captures the massive size of the Psychlo's enormous enclosed home base (even though it's not technically a dome in the film, but what the hey?) There's a female voice that appears for the first of many times in "Johnnie Leaves," though what she's saying (if anything at all) I'm not sure.

We get our first taste of action with "The Plan/Fort Hood" and "Man Animal Revolt." Then there's the very strange "Psychlo's Top 40," the source music heard during visits to the Psychlo bar, which what I believe are vocals provided by star/co-producer John Travolta. (Some rumors indicate that Travolta himself had a hand in composing this specific track.) But the action returns when the very next track, "Commence Revolt," builds up to a hard-charging action piece as the rebellion finally gets underway. After a brief slow break with "Do You Want Lunch?" and "Options For Renewal," all-out action explodes for the remainder of the score.

Such standout action tracks are "Air Battle," the short-but-exhilarating "Trench Attack," "Dome Explodes," and "Web Cracking Stops." There's also a nice, quiet statement on the theme in "Mickey the Hero," and everything culminates in the triumphant "We've Won." As with the finale of RONIN, Cmiral wraps this score up quite nicely with the exciting "End Titles."

The score has a bigger (for lack of a better word) feel to it than RONIN, and the way Cmiral utilizes drum kits for most of the percussion is admirable. He certainly is a musical genius. As with RONIN, BATTLEFIELD EARTH shows that this relatively new composer certainly has his own distinct sound, one that makes his music stand apart from the rest. Hopefully, the gigantic negative impact toward the movie itself will not translate to Elia or his score, and producers will continue to see him for what he is: an extremely talented composer.

As a film score fan who has every available score by Elia Cmiral, I eagerly anticipate is upcoming projects.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!!!, August 30, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battlefield Earth: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Audio CD)

This soundtrack is beautiful!!! It has an epic theme that compensates for the movie's attempt to create an epic movie. I haven't seen the entire movie (40 min. but only remember 10), but I didn't care for it that much. I read the book, and it was awful. But the soundtrack is DEFINATELY worth getting. Out of all the so-called blunders made during production, the choice for a composer was RIGHT ON!!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong and Honest Film Music., August 30, 2001

By 

Pablo Iglesias Alvarez "Glossu" (Mexico City, D.F. Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battlefield Earth: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Audio CD)

The critical turmoil that the film "Battlefield Earth" provoked, resulted in a total oblivion of the impressive score written by the talented composer Elia Cmiral.
Here we have a soundtrack that is honest, heroic, dramatic and in many aspects highly original. The orchestrations are dynamic and full of strength (take for example, the great use of War Drums). The moods are varied from the mysterious and tense to the action paced.
The fanfarre main theme that has an unforgettable motive which appears throughout the score should have been destined to become a classic moment of film history.
Please, if you have seen the movie (or read the book) and disliked it, then try listening to this CD as a pure musical experience. I am sure you will find a treasure full of valuable musical jewels.