Customer Reviews

We Were Soldiers: Original Motion Picture Score

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For some reasons , most of which are related to bad publicizing , this magnificent soundtrack hasn't done well in the market . Let me get things straight : If you liked the film "We Were Soldiers" , and even if you didn't , you will definitely love this score .

Seeing the movie has been quite traumatizing experience for me , yet I managed to hear , carefully listen and instantly admire the chords , tunes and tempo that escorted it . They sounded just right , fitting perfectly to the events on screen , becoming one with the film and made me feel the same emotions I had felt hearing the scores of "Saving Private Ryan" , "Gladiator" and "BraveHeart" .

Yes , numerous war-movies' soundtracks have been made throughout the years , still , Glennie-Smith's work shows there is more room for new efforts ; just when you imagine you must have heard all the best ways to express musically the emotions, sentiments and responses to war trials that are generated in a composer's mind , you are offered with this remarkable creation to realize you were completely wrong .

In his most significant solo-composed attempt , Nick Glennie-Smith succeeds superbly . He manages to play subtle and restrained strings in nearly all the tracks , gradually bringing them to the climax , staying there for sometime and then slowly drifting downhill back to the quiet end . In that , Glennie-Smith follows the great footsteps of John Williams score of "Saving Private Ryan" , and does it brilliantly .

The soundtrack lasts almost an hour and includes relatively short tracks of no more than 3 minutes , and long ones , as the longest breaks the 10 minutes barrier . I cannot think of any weak link in the grand scheme , instead I would like to illuminate two standouts :

Pay special attention to the memorable Joseph Kilna Mackenzie's "Sgt. Mackenzie" which is entwined in "Flying High" . This track is repeatedly used in the film and more than everything in the score succeeds in conveying the horror and pain present on the screen . When I saw the film , my heart truly ached each time it was played , and I believe the emotions that surrounded me matched exactly those Glennie-Smith wanted the viewer to experience .

"End Credits" emerges in the end and can be viewed as equal in impact , beauty and wholeness to Williams' "Hymn To The Fallen" . In contrast to the latter , that is completely original within the score of "Saving Private Ryan" , "End Credits" contains some of the main threads that assemble the soundtrack , with the exception of its first 2:20 minutes that are completely unique in the score . Listening to it with its context in mind might bring tears to your eyes as it did for me , and as its pointed-out predecessor had done when first released . As "Hymn To The Fallen" is recognized with World war II as a musical monument to the ones that did not return , so can "End Credits" of "We Were Soldiers" be recognized with the Vietnam War as an epitaph to all the fallen soldiers , wherever and whenever they fell .

Nick Glennie-Smith has demonstrated commendable capabilities with this score . I hope he will continue to provide such outstanding creations in the future - this kind of music makes you wonder what is to come next . . .

In all , this is a guaranteed deal that will make you feel every dollar you paid was properly spent .

The Anthem and The "Suite" is featured on the album it's title is "Mansions Of The Lord", The (Suite) - (with United States Military Acadamey Cadet Gl Club & Metro Voices. though on some CD's It's just listed as Final Credits, the track and album is produced by Nick Glennie-Smith

To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord.

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night

Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord.

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.

Randall Wallace

You can see the full order of Service on The National Cathedral (...)

River run,
The piece that was playing at the end of Reagan's funeral at the national cathedral was the track 17 on the "We Were Soldiers" Soundtrack Score. It was composed by Nick-Glennie Smith and the words were written by producer/director Randall Wallace. It is titled "Mansions of the Lord." Track 17 is a combination of Mansions of the Lord" & "Sgt. Mackenzie". Hope that helps. I was very impressed to see that they used this song at his funeral, it was a great tribute to a great man. Though all in all, if you liked what you heard on that particular piece this CD is very much the same way, not once do I get "bored" with listening to this CD.

Anyone who enjoyed the movie and felt the incredible emotion of that movie will realise the strenghth of this wonderful score. Similar in feel to Zimmer's "thin red line" with glorious string writing, this score possibly is better than anything the media ventures chief could ever come up with.Some of the tracks are 8-9 minutes long and the build-up of heartfelt music is simply wonderful. This score also includes selections of the haunting sgt McKenzie song which is very nicely mixed into two of the tracks (flying high and final battle)and the strenghth of the track "look around you" heard in the film as the commanders and men assemble in the early morning, is overwhelming. Nick Glennie-smith was once Zimmer's underling, watch out Zimmer, the apprentice has learned much from the Master

I first became aware of "Mansions of the Lord" as it was sung at President Reagan's funeral recessional, and I was tremendously moved by its beauty. I purchased the sound track from "We Were Soldiers" and found the CD to be just as beautiful and meaningful as the final track. I was able to find download print music for "Mansions of the Lord" on a download site and have used it as an organ postlude at church.

How appropriate that the end-credit score from a war movie was performed as Reagan made his final exit from his funeral. I was introduced to two incredible pieces of music from Princess Diana's funeral: the processional (Funeral Sentences) and the recessional (Alleluia by Tavener). Now there's this hauntingly moving music. I would expect a CD to be released of the funeral (perhaps to benefit Alzheimer's research). Meanwhile, there's this soundtrack, which will now forever be linked to Reagan's funeral. And even more, Nick Glennie-Smith has now entered a new realm for musicians.

Nick Glennie-Smith teams up with director Randall Wallace for the second time (the previous film was The Man in the Iron Mask) for a look at the emotional side of the Vietnam War in We Were Soldiers. The music really sets the stage and is the heart and soul of the film that is one of the better scores i've heard come from a war movie. If you are expecting loads of action music, you will probably be disappointed because the music in this score conveys the emotional side of the film, with some action music present, but not much. The main theme, which is actually a song titled "The Mansions of the Lord", is used throughout, as well as other thematic material that can only be described as wonderful. "What Is War?" is a heroic cue with lots of snare drums, as in "Look Around You", which builds and builds into an awe-inspiring track. Tibetian throat singers are featured in tracks such as "NVA Base Camp", which conveys an ominous and suspenseful side of the music. "Jack's Death" is somber in nature, while "Final Battle" is overall driving in rhythm. "End Credits" contains most of the thematic material used in the score, along with a full rendition of the hymn "The Mansions of the Lord", which is simply outstanding. The length of this score is about 58 minutes, which gives plenty of wonderful and awe-inspiring music. Nick Glennie-Smith has outdone himself with this one.

...How does a fella like me, who was a Witness to the Heroism of so many in the -Valley of Death- that was the IA DRANG of 1965, thank Music Composer ..NICK GLENNIE-SMITH.. for his .."WE WERE SOLDIERS".. Soundtrack Score that now feels like Theme Music to my Life...? ...His lucious strings, pleasantly thundering drums and inspiring solos and choirs put me right back at the 1st Major Battle of the Vietnam War ..and soothes me now. This is a HEALING. ...Movie Director ..RANDALL WALLACE.. has said that his outstanding film .."WE WERE SOLDIERS".. was meant to honor and heal America's Hero Vietnam Vets. ...GLENNIE-SMITH's.. Music quietly comes up on ya ...and captures your heart. ...My favorite Film Score has always been ..Composer JOHN BARRY's.. lushly romantic .."SOMEWHERE IN TIME".. with JANE SEYMOUR -&- CHRISTOPHER REEVE. .."WE WERE SOLDIERS".. is a Perfect Match. ...Thank you ..NICK..!!! ...Signed:..-ALOHA RONNIE- Guyer / U.S. 7th Cavalry Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 / Landing Zone Falcon

Riverrun, this is the right soundtrack. The end credits contains the hymn you speak of, Mansions of the Lord, and the music that played afterwards, although not in cycle. Truly a moving ceremony and a fitting tribute to a man who will truly be missed

This has to be one of the best war soundtracks ever! Nick Glennie-Smith truly captured the feel and emotion of the movie "We Were Soliders." Unlike most movie soundtracks, where maybe 1 or 2 tracks are good, on this one, every track is good. The most gripping tracks are 2, 3, 9, 11, 16 & 17. The composer's music has very powerful themes throughout and can even move one to tears. Not only is this a great CD, but it is also a great tribute to those soldiers who fought in Vietnam.