Customer Reviews

Walking With Dinosaurs (1999 TV Mini Series)

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

 

 

If you enjoyed the series this CD is a must. Bartlett's score remained unobtrusive whilst the viewer concentrated on the stunning visual effects and the literate narrative and can only be fully appreciated separately as a result. A far cry from the modernist minimalism of a Nyman, it effortlessly transports the listener from the lush, green landscapes of the distant past to the oceanic depths, conveying the strangeness yet familiarity of a world of predators and prey, of brutality and the struggle for survival. This magnificent score is by turns tinged with melancholy and lightened by humour, reminding us of the precariousness of our own custodianship of this planet by mourning what is forever lost. Redolent of Holst and Mahler, it manages to achieve a transcendental quality in places, such as in Cruel Sea and pathos in others, such as in the Giant of the Skies with the death of the Ornithocheirus leaving not a dry eye in the house (you might as well admit it!). The order in which the tracks appear does not necessarily follow the sequence in which they were used in the series itself, but this does not jar: ultimately I prefer to hear the flight of the Ornithocheirus after the tragedy of his death because it allows me to appreciate the consistency of the music, whereby the themes repeat. The relentless drive forward is echoed as the exhausted, enfeebled deposed monarch breathes his last on the merciless shores. Inverting the order reminds the listener of the ultimate futility of the incredible effort he made, the inability of all mortal beings to escape their final destiny. In short, I unreservedly recommend this soundtrack as quite simply the best I have hitherto heard. It perfectly accomplishes the task required of it whilst at the same time becoming a classic in its own right.

Although the WWD soundtrack is by no means the best soundtrack I've ever heard it is certainly the best soundtrack produced for a documentary. While Walking with Dinosaurs was meant to be a primarily visual feast, Benjamin Bartlett had done an excellent job at giving these ancient giants memorable scores that at times are no less majestic than the creatures themeselves (take track 6 and 7 for instance). There is a fantastic blend of powerful, sweeping pieces, some light hearted and beautiful moments as well as the occasionally tragic track that leaves us to reflect upon what has been lost (The Cruel Sea track for instance). While I can't imagine there are a lot of people who need soundtracks to documentaries, this is a genuinely outstanding one that will stand up to dozens of listens. Highly recommended.

The soundtrack is the best soundtrack I have ever heard. I loved the mini series and if you liked it get this cd! Personaly the first song is the best. so if u liked the movie then you should get the soundtrack. ENJOY

This soundtrack captures and recreates times before man inherited the Earth.

Not overbearing or very thematic, this music serves best to underscore the brilliant and rightfully critically acclaimed BBC semi-documentary series, but it is amazingly powerful in its' own right. Strange, bizarre harmonies, rhythms and mixes of instruments (organ, hobo and marimba...) create an eerie primeval atmosphere, while (thankfully) never becoming atonal or avantgarde (although some echoes of Prokofiev's Sacre du Printemps are amusingly interwoven...).

Not exactly something to put on during cocktail parties, but very worthwile and quite unlike any soundtrack I know!

Don't worry about the "narration' part: yes, Kenneth Brannagh does recap the introduction to the series during the opening theme music, but it's only three sentences: the rest of the CD is pure music.

The only reason I did not give five stars is because I personally prefer well-rounded powerful themes, which hardly appear on this CD, but well, that's just me.

Very highly recommended to soundtrack fans!

When listening to this soundtrack, I don't think it's possible not to have the images from the series running through your head. Thanks to the incredible score by Benjamin Bartlett, you really feel as if you're there, even without the visuals.

Amazon hasn't listed each track's running-time, so I'll do that here...


01 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (narrated by Kenneth Branagh) 1:14

02 THE ANKYLOSAURUS 0:54

03 DEATH OF THE POSTOSUCHUS 2:28

04 SURVIVAL OF THE CYNODONTS 1:16

05 TOROSAURUS LOCK HORNS 2:58

06 GIANT OF THE SKIES 3:50

07 FLIGHT OF THE ORNITHOCHEIRUS 2:24

08 DEADLY NIGHTSCAPE 1:52

09 TIME OF THE TITANS 3:38

10 ESCAPE OF THE PODLETS 0:46

11 JURASSIC FOREST 0:52

12 CANYON OF TERROR 2:15

13 ISLANDS OF GREEN 3:58

14 CRUEL SEA 6:07

15 SPIRITS OF THE ICE FOREST 1:45

16 ANTARCTIC SPRING 3:19

17 SLEEPNG LAELLYNASAURA 0:57

18 SECRET FLIGHT 1:47

19 DEPARTURE OF THE MUTTUBURRASAURUS 1:06

20 TYRANNOSAURUS 2:56

21 TRIASSIC WATER 1:27

22 END CREDITS 0:53


As another reviewer has previously noted, Kenneth Branagh only narrates part of the first track, the rest is nothing but music. In fact there is even a little additional music; there is a fantastic extended violin piece during track 06 GIANT OF THE SKIES.

Although, this CD is rather hard to find right now (and when you do, it's rather on the pricey side) it is well worth the cost. This is a great soundtrack, and I highly recommend it!

I absoultely love this cd! i bought it for my daughter and she will not stop listening to it. Even houseguests who hear it up in her room admit it is an amazing track! If you love the mini-series you'll love the cd!

If you enjoyed the series this CD is a must. Bartlett's score remained unobtrusive whilst the viewer concentrated on the stunning visual effects and the literate narrative and can only be fully appreciated separately as a result. A far cry from the modernist minimalism of a Nyman, it effortlessly transports the listener from the lush, green landscapes of the distant past to the oceanic depths, conveying the strangeness yet familiarity of a world of predators and prey, of brutality and the struggle for survival. This magnificent score is by turns tinged with melancholy and lightened by humour, reminding us of the precariousness of our own custodianship of this planet by mourning what is forever lost. Redolent of Holst and Mahler, it manages to achieve a transcendental quality in places, such as in Cruel Sea and pathos in others, such as in the Giant of the Skies with the death of the Ornithocheirus leaving not a dry eye in the house (you might as well admit it!). The order in which the tracks appear does not necessarily follow the sequence in which they were used in the series itself, but this does not jar: ultimately I prefer to hear the flight of the Ornithocheirus after the tragedy of his death because it allows me to appreciate the consistency of the music, whereby the themes repeat. The relentless drive forward is echoed as the exhausted, enfeebled deposed monarch breathes his last on the merciless shores. Inverting the order reminds the listener of the ultimate futility of the incredible effort he made, the inability of all mortal beings to escape their final destiny. In short, I unreservedly recommend this soundtrack as quite simply the best I have hitherto heard. It perfectly accomplishes the task required of it whilst at the same time becoming a classic in its own right.