Customer Reviews

The Burning

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

 

 

The Burning was a Friday the 13th clone slasher movie back in the early 80's, produced by the Weinsteins who later formed Miramax about an evil caretaker that was once burned alive and now has come back to haunt kids at a summer camp to get his revenge. The film was pretty weak but had a few redeeming qualities: Tom Savini's ghastly FX, a young Holly Hunter and Jason Alexander, and a strong synth-based score by Wakeman that worked well on screen and gave the film some oomph.

As to this soundtrack. Half of the album is filled with the actual score from the film, which is mostly a lot of modulated synths which don't necessarily make for great tunes to listen on a CD more than once or twice (but worked very well in the film - fitting it's concept, as noted) with a neat electronic closing titles theme. Interspersed with that is dialog from the movie. The Campfire story being the only part that's interesting in that regard.

The other half of the soundtrack is what most Wakeman fans will mostly listen to, and it's excellent. Rick took many of the themes and sounds from the film and went into the studio and created some outstanding tracks based on or "inspired by" (if that's the way to put it) the film. This part of the album is classic Wakeman and really good music.

Rick said that this album is mostly for fans only, but if you are a fan or not much of this album is worth listening to, with some excellent tracks, as noted.

I am strongly biased in favor of anything composed by Rick Wakeman, having followed his music for more than 30 years.
That said, this CD has some truly excellent songs. The movie main theme and the variations on it have some hypnotic effect.

Side note: I also got to see the movie years ago. The VCR recording was a birthday gift from a dear friend of mine.
It's even harder to find than the soundtrack CD. The movie itself is so-so: it's rated 6.1 at IMDB.

This was originally released in 1981 on Charisma Records (don't know if it got a US release then; "1984" didn't; mine are UK LPs). Later reissued by Varèse Sarabande with a different cover. Mostly instrumental with film dialogue. This movie had elaborate prosthetic makeup, I've heard. Recorded in Douglaston, Queens for tax purposes. Rick didn't think this would be successful, so he opted out of a cut of the film profits. It was big in Japan, and helped establish Miramax, so he may have regretted that! I don't listen to instrumental albums much. Rick even said this is more for collectors.

At long last the out of print soundtrack, finally on CD! Well worth the wait, excellent score and great quality. Any fan of this movie should pick this up, you won't be disapointed!

Very, very high on horror fans' 'Where is the soundtrack CD?' list. Finally...a proper CD release of Wakeman's electronic score to the '81 slasher The Burning, which still lacks a proper American DVD release.

Probably a short print run from this British label. Clearly, a fan's release for fans, and perhaps some kind of gem for Rick Wakeman and/or Yes fanatics.

Get it. It's been a long time. Perhaps some kind of cosmic omen that there's a Burning remake on the way. Long live Crosby and George Costanza.

This is one of the best horror movies of the late 70's - early 80's. Very scary with excellent makeup effects by Tom Savini and a great music score by the legendary Rick Wakeman.