Braveheart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

James Horner (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: James Horner
• Audio CD (May 23, 1995)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000004286
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (144 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,268 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A 1996 Academy Award nominee for Best Dramatic Score, Braveheart is one of composer James (Titanic) Horner's most accomplished works. Utilizing the full range of the London Symphony Orchestra, the Choristers of Westminster Abbey, and a small ensemble of traditional folk instrumentalists, Horner largely eschews the bombast typical of the genre and cuts a more emotionally complex--and satisfying--musical course through this 14th-century tale of betrayal and rebellion. This album presents ample evidence of why Horner is currently at the peak of his profession. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Movie Score ever Composed, July 7, 2000

By	Brendan Mark Gatt (Malta, Europe) - See all my reviews

Arguably THE greatest movie score ever composed, and surely one of the best, James Horner's 'Braveheart' is a stunning, beautiful and haunting piece of music. Unfortunately words fail me, (and the superlatives run out, eventually) to describe the beauty and majesty of this score.

Mel Gibson's masterpiece, Braveheart, is my favourite movie ever, with a great story, awesome scenery, involving drama and acting, and wonderful action sequences. But all that would not, I believe, make such an impact were it not for the beautiful music that accompanies and enriches all the images on screen.

I have heard people describe the music in Braveheart as 'unbelievably beautiful', and assuredly it is that, and more. From the haunting, moving theme, to the pounding music for the action and battle sequences, the music is perfect. It perfectly captures and expresses the rugged beauty of Scotland, and the themes of freedom, love, and loyalty/betrayal. The theme itself is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever, perfectly encompassing all the great emotions, from love, to heroism unto death.

James Horner uses Celtic instruments like the Uillean Pipes, and the strings, to give a Scottish feeling to this composition, but without overdoing it. The strings are used very effectively, from the more 'active' scenes, to romantic and sad sequences, like "The Princess pleads for Wallace's life".

But the two tracks that most perfectly express all the beauty and majesty of both the score and the movie, are tracks 9 and 11. "Sons of Scotland" is the accompanying music to the scene in the film just preceding the Battle of Stirling. This scene revolves around Wallace's speech to the Scottish troops just before battle, culminating in the famous "They can take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!" The music in this track perfectly expresses the fear, anticipation, and renewed courage of the troops after Wallace's 'pep talk'. And it reaches its climax right around Wallace's "Freedom", with a crash of drums, strings and pipes, making even the audience wish they could join the fight against the oppressors.

Track 11, "For the Love of a Princess", is the Romantic theme, and is used frequently throughout the movie. It's haunting and beautiful melody is, I believe, the best ever in a movie, and has me drying my eyes every time.

All the other tracks in the CD are beautiful as well, especially tracks 16, 17 and 18, having to do with Wallace's trial, execution, and the aftermath of his death. And if Wallace's cry "Freedom" while being quartered doesn't have you crying, especially with the beautiful musical accompaniment, you don't have a heart!

'Braveheart', both film and music, is just perfect. And Braveheart fans were given a second volume of music: "More Music", with even more of Horner's score.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Favorite Soundtracks, June 20, 2004

By	T. B. Vick "Learn 2 Discern" (The Lone Star State) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Listening to the soundtrack of 'Braveheart' regularly has made me realize just how powerful music can make a film. I firmly believe that Braveheart would not have been as great a movie were it not for James Horner's music.

This is a very moving soundtrack. While there is a common musical theme/or sound that runs through the entire soundtrack (which is typical of movie soundtracks), Horner's imagination gives each song a new twist, added verse, or slightly different melody that keeps the listener's attention. Moreover, I love the sound of bagpipes (despite the fact that I come from a Welsh background) ; )

The tracks themselves have many various textures from smooth melodious flowing music to gruff, fully orchestrated pieces that rattle your player until there is an abrupt stop in the music and you are left wanting more. The feeling of the movie definitely comes out in the music.

Having been an avid soundtrack collector for over 20 years now, I can safely say that this is one of the best sountracks out there. I highly recommend it.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect compliment to the Greatest Movie of All Time., April 2, 1999

By A Customer

To state it plainly, Braveheart is-- in my opinion-- the Greatest Movie of All Time. Mel Gibson told a timeless story in this powerful, insipiring epic film. However, no film can achieve a status of such greatness without an exceptional soundtrack. James Horner's accomplishment with this composition is nothing short of astonishing. The music in Braveheart corresponds perfectly with the action on the screen. You know a soundtrack is good when you can listen to it from beginning to end and virtually play the movie back in your mind. Every sequence of events is captured in music on this masterpiece. James Horner should have an Oscar statue on his mantle for this brilliant achievement, but he was wrongly overlooked. Add this soundtrack to your collection today!