Braveheart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

James Horner (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: James Horner
• Audio CD (May 23, 1995)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000004286
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,233 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

SOUNDTRACK CORAZON VALIENTE (BRAVEHEART)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Movie Score ever Composed, July 7, 2000

By 

Brendan Mark Gatt (Malta, Europe) - See all my reviews

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

Arguably THE greatest movie score ever composed, and surely one of the best, James Horner's 'Braveheart' is a stunning, beautiful and haunting piece of music. Unfortunately words fail me, (and the superlatives run out, eventually) to describe the beauty and majesty of this score.

Mel Gibson's masterpiece, Braveheart, is my favourite movie ever, with a great story, awesome scenery, involving drama and acting, and wonderful action sequences. But all that would not, I believe, make such an impact were it not for the beautiful music that accompanies and enriches all the images on screen.

I have heard people describe the music in Braveheart as 'unbelievably beautiful', and assuredly it is that, and more. From the haunting, moving theme, to the pounding music for the action and battle sequences, the music is perfect. It perfectly captures and expresses the rugged beauty of Scotland, and the themes of freedom, love, and loyalty/betrayal. The theme itself is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever, perfectly encompassing all the great emotions, from love, to heroism unto death.

James Horner uses Celtic instruments like the Uillean Pipes, and the strings, to give a Scottish feeling to this composition, but without overdoing it. The strings are used very effectively, from the more 'active' scenes, to romantic and sad sequences, like "The Princess pleads for Wallace's life".

But the two tracks that most perfectly express all the beauty and majesty of both the score and the movie, are tracks 9 and 11. "Sons of Scotland" is the accompanying music to the scene in the film just preceding the Battle of Stirling. This scene revolves around Wallace's speech to the Scottish troops just before battle, culminating in the famous "They can take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!" The music in this track perfectly expresses the fear, anticipation, and renewed courage of the troops after Wallace's 'pep talk'. And it reaches its climax right around Wallace's "Freedom", with a crash of drums, strings and pipes, making even the audience wish they could join the fight against the oppressors.

Track 11, "For the Love of a Princess", is the Romantic theme, and is used frequently throughout the movie. It's haunting and beautiful melody is, I believe, the best ever in a movie, and has me drying my eyes every time.

All the other tracks in the CD are beautiful as well, especially tracks 16, 17 and 18, having to do with Wallace's trial, execution, and the aftermath of his death. And if Wallace's cry "Freedom" while being quartered doesn't have you crying, especially with the beautiful musical accompaniment, you don't have a heart!

'Braveheart', both film and music, is just perfect. And Braveheart fans were given a second volume of music: "More Music", with even more of Horner's score.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Favorite Soundtracks, June 20, 2004

By 

T. B. Vick "T.B.V." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Listening to the soundtrack of 'Braveheart' regularly has made me realize just how powerful music can make a film. I firmly believe that Braveheart would not have been as great a movie were it not for James Horner's music.

This is a very moving soundtrack. While there is a common musical theme/or sound that runs through the entire soundtrack (which is typical of movie soundtracks), Horner's imagination gives each song a new twist, added verse, or slightly different melody that keeps the listener's attention. Moreover, I love the sound of bagpipes (despite the fact that I come from a Welsh background) ; )

The tracks themselves have many various textures from smooth melodious flowing music to gruff, fully orchestrated pieces that rattle your player until there is an abrupt stop in the music and you are left wanting more. The feeling of the movie definitely comes out in the music.

Having been an avid soundtrack collector for over 20 years now, I can safely say that this is one of the best sountracks out there. I highly recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the all-time greats!, January 13, 2002

By 

Emily Todd (USA) - See all my reviews

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

As far as I am concerned, the best original scores ever written are 'Gladiator', 'Last of the Mohicans', 'Titanic', 'Star Wars', and of course, 'Braveheart'. This breathtakingly celtic score is sure to capture your imagination and take you away to Scotland. James Horner makes great use of bagpipes, harps, and some other folk instruments. 'Bravehearts' score has a wonderful natural feel to it, as if this music could have really been there during the story.

James Horner is most well known for his Academy Award Winning score for the critically acclaimed 'Titanic'. If you enjoyed the 'Titanic' score, you'll love this. The same drama and emotion is present and you may be faintly reminded of the 'Titanic' score after hearing this. Remember, 'Braveheart's' score came before 'Titanic's'!

James Horner creates some absolutely stunning and memorable themes here which are reused throughout the score. From the tender and emotional 'A Gift of Thistle' to the upbeat and dramatic 'The Battle of Stirling', James Horner manages to set the mood with his compositions. These pieces are all abosolutely stunning, you won't find yourself skipping over any of them as you usually must do with scores! I usually choose a few favorites when reviewing a score, but I find that I cannot with 'Braveheart's! If you have not seen the film, YOU MUST! And YOU MUST purchase this stunning piece of work, one of the finest scores ever!