Customer Reviews

The Fury (1978 Film)

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

 

 

The Fury easily ranks as John Williams most UNDERRATED work. It's haunting feel is unlike any other film soundtrack, and ranks (in my opinion), one of his top 5, if not his best (and that is saying ALOT). My only complaint is that the entire score is currently not available. Regardless, buy this... a MUST for any fan of John Williams, or music itself.

Like Williams's score to "Jane Eyre" and "Dracula," his music for "The Fury" deserves the re-mastered, full-length version. Several musical cues from the film are missing, indicative of the then common practice of releasing partial soundtracks due to the perception that movie score fans are an "insignificant" lot.

Thankfully, aficionados of film scoring have grown tremendously and "The Fury" ranks as a forgotten gem from one of the premier composers of the past forty years, a muscian with the awards to prove it.

Hopefully, a new version is in the works; but, until that time arrives, those that appreciate good scores will have to settle for this "truncated" release.

A good film composer can write a score that you will enjoy for a film that you will not. John Williams is a good film composer, and that is the case here. This film is not particularly to my taste, but the music certainly is. It is a gem of a film score that has not been accorded the attention which it deserves. It well rewards the listener.

The score for this film from John Williams stands on it's own merit. Williams completely captures the mood with this modern masterpiece of dramatic scoring that ranks with the best work he has done to date. This is reminiscent to the late Bernard Herrmann's score for "Vertigo", haunting in theme and content. The string arrangements are awesome as heard on the final track "EPILOGUE", truly a highlight to this magical album. Williams provides a touch of class and elegance to balance this story of horror and intrigue.

Total Time: 43:40 on 10 Tracks/ Varese Sarabande - VSD 5264 (1978)

Overshadowed by the many scores of the late 1970s are The Fury and Dracula. I really think JW went to twon with The Fury. As a stand-alone piece it is one of the most complete listening experiences he has offered. The theme, simple, I think was ripped off by Danny Elfman for Batman and by Christopher Young for Hellraiser. What do you think, Warren?

Not as well known, but deserves high praise! I agree with the reviewers here - if you enjoy John williams' music, you will find this opus very intense and powerful, just do not expect material like "Star Wars" or "Indiana Jones" - this is a different style. Then again, that is to be expected because the latter films required music to accompany much more action and a plethora of characters, so direct comparison would be unfair. Suffice it to say that this film was not a "blockbuster" (but the music sure is!)

As usual, living legend John Williams creates a fascinating theme, which starts with only five notes, then three. Then he develops it, morphs it, makes it happy in one place, threatening in the next. Some touches of electronic music are heard here and there, and the score is mostly somber and mysterious. A fantastic melodic journey.

I would just like to add that the acoustics and orchestrations in this LP/CD version are much, much better than what is heard in the film itself, which sounds flat by comparison. This score was apparently re-recorded and enhanced and the result is very impressive.

So don't be turned off by the flatter-sounding music heard in the original motion picture. If you saw the film, you still haven't heard this! The music on this CD/LP sounds like it was performed by a larger orchestra in a much larger studio or hall. It is one of my favorite John Williams' soundtracks - definitely in the top ten. The only thing that would top it is, as suggested by some, a re-release of the complete score.

John William's lesser known score is interesting, but it doesn't have the same quality as some of his later compositions. His main title is wonderful, it seems almost like a homage to Bernard Hermann. For Gillian is also nice and playful. However, most of the other tracks are uneven. They simply don't contain any memorable material. Also, the music isn't all too scary, despite it being made for a horror/thriller. Some fans may also be turned off by some of the 70's synthesizer incorperations. I recommend that you see this movie to evaluate his score, before purchasing. You never know, it may be what you have been looking for!