Customer Reviews

The Man In The Iron Mask: Music From The United Artists Motion Picture

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whatever the weaknesses of Randall Wallace's film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic bit of romantic fantasy The Man in the Iron Mask (and there admittedly are some), Nick Glennie-Smith's score is not one of them. Emerging from the shadow of his sometime mentor Hans Zimmer, Glennie-Smith manages an appropriately baroque score for the court of the Sun King and the historical controversy that gave rise to Dumas' novel, as well as the heroic exploits of his beloved musketeers in restoring justice. While there are the expected blasts of electric guitar and synthesizer from time to time, they do not usually interfere with the predominantly period nature of the score (one exception being the opening of King for a King [Track 5], which does get a little carried away with its rock `n' roll introduction). Nick Glennie-Smith for the most part avoids the traps of the pop trend in film scoring, which equates action with an electronic bass line and requires a Top 40 ballad however obscurant of the film's intentions, and instead creates a score which is at once appropriate to the period of the film and unabashed in its willingness to admit to the slightly campy nature of the genre. Of particular note in the score are The Masked Ball [Track 7] which marvelously plays up the action onscreen as the dance turns macabre for the guilty King Louis and Training To Be King [Track 10] which cleverly follows the preparation of the musketeers' stand-in for his roles at court and on the battlefield with a musical tug-of-war between the minuet and the march. Part of what makes The Man in the Iron Mask work as a movie is the fact that those involved were clearly having a good time being a part of this star-studded romp. From Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich right down to Glennie-Smith, the sense of fun wins through while still managing to give the material the best they've got. Ultimately, what results is a score which has the audience crying, outraged, or cheering at all the right moments, even while its tongue may be planted in its cheek.

This music was the best! Although the movie wasn't the greatest, the soundtrack was excellent. Heart of a King was awesome. The flute solo was great! Everyone should listen to this soundtrack.

It's nice to see Nick Glennie-Smith break from co-composing scores with Hans Zimmer and compose his own scores. I wish he would do it more often because this score really shines. The music consists of 2 parts: quick tempo, upbeat action cues and more laid back, slower and softer, romantic music. "Surrounded", "King for a King", and "All For One" are the best cues with the heroic main theme played in full force. The theme slightly resembles the theme from The Rock, which makes sense because Glennie-Smith co-composed that score with Hans Zimmer and Harry Gregson-Williams. These 3 cues feature strong brasses, powerful percussion, electric guitars, synths, and a deep male voice choir, which was used a lot in The Rock. A great rousing theme, which represents the second type of music I was talking about, is found in "Heart of a King", with a nice flute solo building into a full orchestral delight. "The Moon Beckons" also contains a nicely played flute solo, playing a slightly mournful tune. "A Taste of Something" contains a lovely string theme, while "The Pig Chase" (sounds like a Springer episode title) is a fun and enjoyable woodwind and percussion delight. "The Masked Ball" is a great period piece played in a Handel like fashion. However, I was disappointed about the end of this track, which ended abruptly as in the film. In the end, this score is well balanced and an enjoyable delight. High, high recommendations for this one.

The music on this CD is so moving. I have listened to this sound track at least two dozen times since I got it. I've taken it to work and as people pass my desk, they stop and listen, then pick up the case and read it. They too are impressed with the musical scores.

Each cut on this CD evokes the drama, adventure and tension of the motion picture. From the opening cut "SURROUNDED" until the last, "THE QUEEN APPROACHES", this soundtrack brings back each scene of the film. There are classical influences throughout the score, so one does not have to have seen the film to enjoy the music, however the music would seem to be more enjoyable when an image from the movie can be conjured up, as only music can do. As a lover of movie soundtracks, I highly recommend this one.

A magnificent soundtrack by Nick Glennie-Smith, an upcoming composing genius. Track 1, "Surrounded", sets the dark, ominous, yet action-packed tone of the film and soundtrack excellently. The male vocals are wonderfully malevolent. Track 2, "Heart of a King", is a nice, sweet, innocent track. Track 4, "The Ascension", is a brilliant fanfare. Track 10, "Training to be King", is also amazingly versatile track; beginning dark and dramatically then in a moment shifting to a great adventurous tone, then into innocence similar to Track 2, "Heart of a King". Track 7, "The Masked Ball", Track 15, "Raoul and Christine", and Track 19, "The Palace", are all incredibly classical-sounding tracks. Track 18, "Raoul's Letter", is also a good dramatic, mournful track. A very well balanced score. The only faults that I notice on the entire soundtrack is that it is a bit repetitive with some of the action cues, with some of the loud, metallic-sounding percussion getting annoying eventually, but fitting for the movie. Look for Nick Glennie-Smith again very soon.

This music, as well as the film, was a story full of passion. It has all the elements of good storytelling: love (man and woman, parent and child, deep friendship), betrayal, birth, death, heroism, cowardice, intrigue, humor, friendship, pagentry, honor, and of course the passion the envelops the entire story. The music arouses that feeling and expresses the depth of the souls of the characters. I think that this was a highly under rated film, though the acting was superb, and the music brings about all the elements to become a highly pleasureable experience. It has become one of my favorites.

PERFECT MUSIC FOR THE PERFECT SCENES! WONDERFUL MUSIC AND HATS OFF TO THE MUSICIANS WHO PERFORMED SPECTACULARLY 1

Hats off to the violinist. It was without a doubt the high point for me throughout the entire album. "Surrounded" and "All For One" are my favorites.

I think this is one of the best movie soundtracks of the 20th century. The music is so awesome and really helps you get into the story.