Customer Reviews

A River Runs Through It [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Isham came to prominence during the "zenith" Windam Hill years, which I define as 84-87, when the label was still fresh, creative, and not so big that it had become too commercialized (alas, to think that the same label that put Shadowfax, Alex de Grassi, and Michael Hedges on the map would eventually sign Yanni... Michael's got to be spinning in his grave on that one). In that thick crop of talent, Isham's work hadn't yet distinguished itself. It was still top quality performing, but works like Vapor Drawings and Songs my Children Taught me revealed a capable artist still struggling for control, still over-concerned with style and instrumentation rather than the lyrical/emotional content. His soundtrack for A River Runs Throught It clearly represented breakthrough work: an abundant delicacy wedded perfectly to the Montana scenery of the movie and Redford's thoughtful, loving detail. In an age of mediocrity, this album towers. It is mastery.

This is wonderful music that you can enjoy even if you haven't seen the film. (The main theme, "A River Runs Through It," has been used on several movie trailers, and I've heard it played during the Olympics as well.) Perhaps what is best about this music is its depth of emotion. One minute, the music is expressing sadness and loss ("The Moment that Could Not Last," or "Without Complete Understanding"), and then the next minute it is fun and light ("A Land Filled With Wonder" or "A Wild Ride.") The soundtrack also includes some swing music, such as "The Sheik of Araby" and "Muskrat Ramble," which are nice breaks from the score. The other wonderful aspect of this soundtrack is that the musical themes are not overdone or over-repeated. Some film scores tend to replay the same theme over and over, but "A River Runs Through It" really explores several melodies to their fullest potential. The highlight of the score is "In the Half-Light of the Canyon." This is the music played during the finale of the film when Robert Redford says "I am haunted by waters." Trust me. . . you'll be haunted by this beautiful music, too.

Isham's score for ARRTI is almost as good as the novella itself, so well done in fact that my wife and I asked a friend to arrange the title theme for guitars as our wedding processional a decade ago. I bought the CD within days of first seeing the film and have doubtlessly played it through well over 1,000 times...it's the most played recording I own, and I likely have in excess of 4,000 albums/discs on hand. The score does for the movie what Redford hoped the movie would do for the book-- it takes it to another level, provides a synergy that yields more than the sum of the parts.

Facts: This album is approx. 58 minutes of audio. It contains any piece of music heard in the film, A River Runs Through It. It contains the full Reprise that plays during the credits to the film.

Opinion: There is a theme that reappears through the music throughout the soundtrack. It may often sound as if there are duplicates of a song on the soundtrack. And many of the selections aren't much longer than 2 minutes, but some of you out there may be expecting this. The final piece, Haunted by Waters is, without a doubt in my mind, the finest piece on this album. If you fell in love with the theme of the movie and can close your eyes and see the trickling stream, or the turbulent currents, or a Rainbow rise from the glassy waters, then I recommend this soundtrack to you. If you saw the movie and aren't interested in the soundtrack, then why are you reading this? If you are interested, get it. I hope this was helpful.

This is one of my favorite movies and I've no doubt that the soundtrack contributes mightily to that assessment. Having just finished listening to it alone for the first time, I can say that it certainly stands on its own and makes for a pleasant background to a Saturday afternoon reading session.

Personally, this is one of the absolute BEST soundtracks I have ever listened to. The music is calming, soothing, and truly wonderful. The music is so well put together and nicely coordinated and I feel like I am watching the movie again...it also makes great to read the Laura Ingalls Wilder books too. Try it...you might be suprised how well it fits. :)

I basically love the movie, because it's poetic along with Montana wilderness and I am a fly-fisherman. I have just bought this CD as my background music while I am tying flies. And it works very very well. Each track reminds me of each moment of the movie, especially, tracks from Track 25 "Yes, Quite a Day" to Track 31 "Hauted by Waters" just make me poignant. An exclusive interview with the composer is also very unique and worth to hear about the background of the movie. "The Moment That Could Not Last" last only 1:24, how about in our real life? Is it gonna be like Paul's? I am hautend by this soundtrack.

Like another reviewer of this soundtrack, I own over a thousand CDs. This is one of the most outstanding musical compositions I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. In fact, in my opinion, Mark Isham's composition is a movie score for the ages! I enjoy listening to this CD as much today as I did when it was released in 1992.
This is a moving and beautiful soundtrack with eclectic styles of music included in the score. Although it is not necessary to have seen the movie to enjoy the music, I strongly recommend doing so. I further suggest that you read Norman Maclean's beautiful book that made the movie and this score possible and that you visit Montana to see for yourself one of the most beautiful parts of our country and the inspiration for all three. ENJOY! --- Mountain Man Dan.

I think this was a great soundtrack, I mean most music composed by Mark Isham is. It had some very cool old songs on it too. I myself am mostly into instrumental but all in all it was a great cd.

If you like Dancing with Wolves, Legends of the Fall, and Wyatt Earp Soundtracks, then you will love this CD!!