Customer Reviews

Born On The Fourth Of July: Motion Picture Soundtrack Album

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

 

 

Although it was a very controversial film back in 1989 because of what many saw as its left-wing political approach to Vietnam, director Oliver Stone's BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, based on the true life story of paraplegic Vietnam vet Ron Kovic, vividly captured not only the terrible toll the war took on veterans and American civilians alike, but it also captured the socially turbulent era of the 1960s and early 1970s.

It manages to do so through a soundtrack that includes songs from that era, including Henry Mancini's "Moon River", the Shirelles' "Soldier Boy", Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl", and Don McLean's 8 1/2-minute epic "American Pie." But even better, it contains a stirring score by the ultimate Hollywood film score composer of our time, John Williams. Though it is sometimes overshadowed by the "hits", Williams' score greatly depicts the stirring patriotism of America in the early 1960s, the terror of war, and Kovic's rebirth from a blind patriot to a man trying to help America purge its soul of its war demons. The composer's wonderful use of the strings recalls Ralph Vaughan-Williams "Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis"; while the stirring main title theme, with an epic trumpet part for Tim Morrison, principal trumpet for Williams' Boston Pops Orchestra, is very Copland-influenced Americana. The closing use of the main theme here is very poignant but also stirringly hopeful.

I agree with a previous reviewer that more of Williams' scoring mastery should have been put on the soundtrack, though that's not to disparage the use of the hits from the period. That one mild flaw aside, however, the BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY soundtrack is a winner.

From mainstream American classic rock anthems to superb John Williams musical score - really brings the Vietnam saga back into stricking focus. This is definitely my all time favourite rock anthology and the Williams tracks are a 'spine chillingly' awesome bonus.

this is an awesome soundtrack it is enjoyable and fun to listen to. the best songs on this disc are all of them

This is the only score that actually caused me to cry at the start of a movie. A fantastic score and some wonderful period songs as well. The piece Early Days, Massapequa, 1957 was used by NBC during their 9/11 coverage and it is very moving. I also enjoyed the cover Edie Brickell did of Hard Rain.

Simply John Williams best work. A hair-raising compliment to the film and lovely on its own as well.

A masterpiece of musical composition. Each of the tracks seem to compliment each other perfectly.