Basic Instinct: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

National Philharmonic Orchestra, Jerry Goldsmith

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 1992)
• Original Release Date: March 17, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0000014SR
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,619 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A haunting, atmospherical symphony, October 10, 2004

By	The No Evil Killer "Know No Evil" (Everywhere, Anywhere, Nowhere) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The late Jerry Goldsmith's score to Basic Instinct is the only element of real class the film has. The sex scenes are ridiculous, the plot a load of baloney and the appeal somewhat lost over the years, despite being an homage to Hitchcock thrillers. Only Goldsmith's score has proved itself to be timeless.

After Basic Instinct was released it opened up a whole new sub-genre of 'erotic thriller' that many low-budget and direct to video filmmakers seized upon. With the exception of a few Shannon Whirry/Gregory Hippolyte films the majority of these had awful, sleazy saxaphone scores to such an abundance that one would assume that Basic Instinct would suffer the fate. Thankfully that is not so.

From the first dreamy and rather spooky opening cues to his brilliant (and dare I say accurate) orchestral interpretation of an orgasm the score is absolutely seamless and breezes from track to track smoothly and laid back. It's all atmospherical stuff with strong themes but there is the odd action cue that you'll recognise as classic Goldsmith.

Be it winter, summer, spring or fall, rainy, windy or sunny the atmosphere the Basic Instinct score creates always seems appropriate and puts you in the same mood.

The only version for sale here is the 40 minute, long OOP Varese Sarabande release from 1992 with only ten tracks. If I were you I'd track down the 2004 Prometheus release with 16 extra tracks (34 minutes) as follows...

1. Main Title (02:13)
2. First Victim (01:39)
3. Catherine & Roxy (05:14)
4. Shadows (00:41)
5. Profile (00:49)
6. Don't Smoke (02:26)
7. Crossed Legs (04:49)
8. Beth & Nick (02:21)
9. Night Life (06:03)
10. Home Visit (01:13)
11. Your Wife Knew (01:44)
12. Untitles (00:52)
13. That's Real Music (00:27)-Actually a clip from Hellraiser
14. One Shot (01:27)
15. Kitchen Help (03:58)
16. Pillow Talk (04:59)
17. Morning After (02:29)
18. Roxy Loses (03:37)
19. Catherine's Sorrow (02:41)
20. Wrong Name (02:22)
21. She's Really Sick (01:31)
22. I Won't Sell (01:02)
23. Games Are Over (05:53)
24. Evidence (01:39)
25. Unending Story / End Credits (09:23)
26. First Victim (Alternate Version) (01:34)

This new expanded release is a fitting epitaph for a great composer who will be missed but who's music will never be forgotten. Basic Instinct is a great score and I urge you to get the Prometheus release.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Go with your instinct on this one, March 19, 2003

By	Brandon Cutro (Tyler, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This score was actually nominated for an Oscar back in 1992. It is a sensual and creepy score that is alluring and a work of art. Goldsmith delivers a good 6 note main theme played on the woodwinds that is downright ominous, yet somewhat sultry at the same time. Almost every track contains the full main theme or snippets of it, but regardless, you can't miss it. The primary instrumentation Goldsmith goes with for this one is the string section. You might be thinking, no action music? Wrong! Parts of "Night Life", "The Games are Over", and "Roxy Loses" are solid action material with a blaring brass section. I'm going to keep this review short and sweet because all of the tracks are mainly sensual, dark, dramatic, and slightly creepy. If you've heard the main theme for Mark Mancina's "Domestic Disturbance" (they are just about identical) or Goldsmith's theme for "Hollow Man", or even Bernard Herrmann's theme for "Psycho", then you know what to expect here. Director Paul Verhoeven comments: "Jerry worked with 10 synthesizers, linked to a computer and a television monitor. We spent many days trying to find the mood of this very special erotic thriller. Jerry played his cues on the synthesizer, which gave me a clear indication of the complexity and richness of the final orchestration. The result is a wonderful score that is original, evocative, and audacious in its very simplicity. Jerry, we had a great time together and you are the best." This is a recommended score.

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a bit dissapointing!, September 21, 1999

By	Vicky Hawke (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Although the music was repeating itself often, it was ok. BUT, WHERE IS THAT FABULOUS SEXY MUSIC SHARON WAS DANCING TO AT THE CLUB WITH HER GIRLFRIEND???