The Last Valley [Soundtrack]

John Barry | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Intrada
• ASIN: B00133308W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,735 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Main Title Theme (03:07)

2. The Last Valley (02:50)

3. The Shrine (01:45)

4. An Evening Song (01:57)

5. The Plague Pit (02:24)

6. The Village Attack (02:52)

7. A Children's Song (01:46)

8. Attack At Rheinfelden (01:11)

9. Main Title Theme - Part 2 (03:37)

10. The Last Valley - Part 2 (02:38)

11. A Christmas Song (02:24)

12. Witch Burning (01:40)

13. An Offertory Chant (02:38)

14. Vogel Leaves The Valley (01:20)

15. Death Of The Captain/End Title (04:52)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Barry's Treasured "Last Valley", October 14, 2007

By 

G M. Stathis (cedar city, utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Valley (Audio CD)

Over a period of four years John Barry ventured into the area of scores for dramatic period pieces, "The Lion in Winter," "The Last Valley," and "Mary Queen of Scots," and the music written for these films must be considered among his very best efforts (he also composed perhaps his best James Bond score during this time, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"). Using stunning melodies, haunting choral arrangements, and a variety of dramatic motifs that were similar in design for all three films has naturally focused commentary on them as a group. But each one stands out for individual merit. One of the least available in its original format was Barry's score for James Clavell's "The Last Valley" which recently appeared in limited release from Intrada Special Collections and thereby is something of a little musical treasure (even the original LP was hard to come by in its day). There are a number of reasons to look at this film including some fascinating performances, elegant cinematography, and an interesting screenplay, but perhaps above all one must pay attention to Barry's outstanding score which forms an integral part of the film from the dramatic opening credits to a poignant ending. Throughout Barry's music is a vital part of the cinematic fabric. What really sets this score and the other two mentioned above is the use of choral music most prominent in "The Lion in Winter" and "The Last Valley" especially in the opening titles. Barry broke the mold for both films, but his main title for "The Last Valley" was simply outstanding. This was something that came as a surprise for those who followed Barry in the early and mid-1960s, but it was stunning nevertheless, and gave birth to numerous imitators in the 1970s. Barrys' theme for the valley is of course the musical antithesis of the films opening in its escape to an almost ethereal realm. The Intrada recording is commendable for its ample notes, outstanding packaging, and solid production values. It is however nothing more than the original ABC soundtrack recording. There is nothing new here, but this itself is a blessed event considering that the recent DVD release by MGM saw fit to eliminate the Intermission music and the Entr'acte altogether, both of which are included here. "The Last Valley," along with "The Lion in Winter," and "Mary Queen of Scots," settled once and for all the argument that John Barry was a serious film composer that would be ranked among the most important composers of his and any time.

5.0 out of 5 stars THE REAL DEAL, May 15, 2007

By 

Dr R. J. Lofaro (AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Valley (Das Vergessene Tal) [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Audio CD)

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK NOT SOME BOGUS RE-RECORD; IT IS HARD TO GET...TOOK ME 5 YEARS OF SEARCHING AND GOT IT FROM A PLACE IN DENMARK, I THINK. WORTH EVERY SECOND OF LOOKING AND EVERY PENNY I PAID!!!!!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Valley Soundtrack CD Review, November 2, 2008

By 

Manny M. Agah - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Valley (Audio CD)

The Last Valley is truly one of the finest scores by John Barry, even though the film itself never became popular.