Customer Reviews

Bullitt (1968 Film)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is not the original recording released in 1968. This is a re-recording, which is sometimes successful, sometimes not.

It does include new recordings of the 'original' original themes, as heard in the movie. Apparently some were 'cleaned up' and re-scored as lighter jazzier numbers for the LP release.

Otherwise, the recording group is talented, but the recordings are fairly lackluster, missing the zing and spark from the 1968 release, which I'd gladly rate 5 stars.

Better than nothing, but I'd rather have the 'original'.
Peter

Did Lalo Schifrin incinerate the original score to Bullitt? Because that's the only way I can explain the lack of a true to the film version of this soundtrack. Don't get me wrong, both this CD and the 12-track Warner Bros. release are exciting jazzy arrangements, but they are no closer to being the original Bullitt score than a high school marching band.

If you're looking for another pleasant arrangement of the classic score, purchase this. If you (like many other disappointed fans) are hoping to hear the menacing, thumping bass of the original "Main Title" as the camera pans across a darkened San Francisco, buy a copy of the film, because it's probably the only way you'll get to hear it in its original glory.

Yes, this is the theme music you will be thinking of everytime you see McQueen up on the silver screen. Even when he is kissing Natalie Wood in "Love With A Proper Stranger" you'll be asking yourself when he will pull out his pistol or ride off in his 1968 Ford Mustang.

The heart of this album is "Shifting Gears" because it leads into the famous streets of Frisco car chase scene that made this movie so famous. But you cannot forget the theme music that opens the film. There is a cool nonchalance about it that boils over into moments of heat but then, without much effort, drifts right back into a ruminating cool that was/is the perfect compliment to Steve McQueen's on screen persona.

Frankly, this is late 1960's acid jazz at its peak and somehow, after all of these years, it does not veer off into absurdity (or cliche) the way many of its contemporaries did. Who knows what will remain stylish several decades after its debut? Apparently Schifrin had good instincts. . . And while the movie's staying power has certainly helped the soundtrack one could argue rather persuasively that the music enhanced the film's reputation as well.

If you like greasy horns, clomping bongos, rolling maracca lines and lots of high hat stings accentuating the measures, this is your kind of music. It will make you wish you had your own cop drama where you had the time and money to become your own stunt driver.

Five stars. It's sinful pleasure.

One Word...BRILLIANT! Magnificent score, fabulous NEW recording and unbelievable reading of a true 1968 classic. This soundtrack was the pre-cursor to another of one Lalo's famous undertakings, that of DIRTY HARRY (1971) and the picture-filled liner notes tell you the tale of Lalo's unforgettable scores in all cases. As a new recording, you will be amazed...I mean, what made these 60s soundtracks so distinguishable were the SOUNDS of the instruments, let alone the actual notes they were playing. Well, rest assured, they've left every authentic element in tact, with the exception of the addition of Fine, True-Digital Fidelty..even the drums (which were clearly close and distance-miked) have that pure GROOVY feel...I can't rave enough about this. You can also find the Dirty Harry/Magnum Force collection available; that music, however, though beyond incredible, is from the actual movie (original recordings) and suffers from poor fidelity, 'fake' stereo imaging, and often over-modulated bass. BUY THIS CD...Relive the brilliance that was 1968 and long hail the grooviest film-scorer of them all...Rock on, Lalo Schifrin.

The music is great but you might want to note that this is a new recording (April 2000) of the original score. It sounds almost identical to the original 1968 recordings as Mr. Schifrin conducted this recording. A bonus is this is a digital recording so the sound quality is phenominal and includes tracks both from the movie itself and the soundtrack LP. A definite must have for any Bullitt or Lalo Schifrin fan!

This is a re- recording of the soundtrack it is good, but start with the original (also available through amazon - import)
it is tighter and once you have heard it, this release sounds
slightly "newer". What ever you do do not buy the re-recording of Mannix by Lalo - it is bland compared to the original TV tracks, and has a real pathetic track called "Mannix Mixdown" - scary, and it's not even halloween yet..........

Bullitt is and has been one of my all time favorite movies. I think what makes this such an incredible soundtrack is the way Lalo has crafted a score around each segment of the movie - such that each time a piece of music is heard, it actually makes you a part of that particular scene. With the exception of the main title theme, it would be tough for each track to actually stand on its own. However, when you look at the intent of any movie score and what it is supposed to convey, Lalo definitely hits the mark on this one. As a sidebar, if you follow many of Lalo's scores and studio albums, you can find a commonality, similiar to hearing a piece by Eric Clapton or Carlos Santana - they each have a signature way about them. If you get the opportunity to listen to the movie versions of Enter The Dragon, Kelly's Heroes, and Dirty Harry, and, this years Grammy nominated Latin Jazz Suite, you will understand what I mean. Lalo possesses a profund eclecticism and knows how to share it with his listeners!

Lalo Schifrin has to be the finest movie composer ever. I've just received my copy of the newly released "Bullitt" soundtrack, after nearly ordering it almost two months ago. It was definitely worth the wait. I was unaware of the fact that this soundtrack was rerecorded this past April. It is obvious that this Argentinian has been blessed with the talent to bring excitement and feeling to this film. The film's main title brings everything the opening scene carried (minus the gunfire, screeching tires, and Vic Tayback's voice). Extremely smooth bass lines, followed by a mean flute, and tempermental percussion. As a jazz lover, I've noticed that Lalo has not forgotten his 'Bossa Nova' roots. This is clearly evident in the middle of "On The Way To San Manteo". It's almost as if he's once again accompanying Quincy Jones' Orchestra in one of his gig's from the early 60's. I honestly believe that this soundtrack was made available to people who love Lalo's music. I cannot see anyone taking the time to rerecord an album that is over 30 years old for the heck of it. However, I feel he did this for the mere fact that he loves what he's doing. And he's merely showing his appreciation to the wonderful people who enjoys his work. It would be nice to have a rerelease of the "Bullitt" film. Just don't change the music. It is most definitely well suited for the the coolest cats for the film. The man who played Lt. Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) and the man who made sure the intro., "Shifting Gears", to the 'finest car chase in movie history' sounded so good. Mr. Schifrin, if you read this review, please understand that McQueen could have never made this film without you. This was a surprise well worth the wait.

Bullitt is an extraordinary film with an extraordinary actor (the late Steve McQueen) and an extraordinary soundtrack by the specialist in music for scenes of nervous action, Señor Lalo Schifrin.

They say that the best car race persecution filmed for entertainment in the one from 'Bullitt' and music accomplishes perfectly to it all.

This is a reference album for a serious soundtrack collection.
Also a big companion to listen to after or along with DVD.
Also a stand alone CD independently from the movie due to inspired music and top Jazz performance.

Like all the people on this page said, this is a great 60's Jazz album. But the heart of it is "Shifting Gears". This tension-building gem sets up the greatest chase sequence ever. It perfectly meshes with the expressions on Mr.McQueen's and Mr.Hickman's faces as they cat & mouse each other, and accents the 'Stang's hyper exhaust note and bad-a** Charger's throaty roar. This cut alone sells the album!