The Mask Of Zorro: Music From The Motion Picture [SOUNDTRACK]

James Horner

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 7, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 7, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000007T5P
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,253 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Don't expect to find the aural sequel to James Horner's epic score to Titanic on The Mask of Zorro. On Zorro, Horner flavors his orchestrations with flamenco, lets some instruments have their solo turns, and goes for a distinct Latin flavoring on most tracks. In the theater it's a rare treat--the composer bridges the gap between the Zorro of long ago and the prerequisite sweeping orchestrations of today's cinema. A variety of influences--everything from his work on Willow to the frenzied stomping of Michael Flatley--seemingly creep into the work. Unfortunately, the vocals of Marc Anthony and Tina Arena on "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You" (Zorro's equivalent to "My Heart Will Go On") stick out like a sore Anglo thumb amid the rest of this fine score. --Jason Verlinde

Entertainment Weekly

...[T]he score ... mixes over-the-top flamenco clichés ... with swirling orchestral arrangements.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie Music is not always on a CD, January 14, 2004

By	John D. Dooley "PhiloX" (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I normally write reviews on "hard to find" books or music because when I find a "normal" product that is "good", there are already great reviews that state what I would. This is no different...somehow me & my wife are into "swashbuckler" movies & the DVD version of "The Mask of Zorro" we have watched many times. Both of us have fallen in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones & because of her excellent performance, we bought her earlier British TV series "Darling Buds of May". Be that as it may, the music is fantastic throughout this revisited Zorro movie & at last we got the CD through Amazon.com. James Horner writes in top form that mixes modern renderings with the classic Spanish sound of that time period (1810's to 1840's). The CD is well recorded with great depth, holding a vast timber. My front room shakes during certain low notes & I don't play my stereo system loud. Yes, like one reviewer already wrote, some sections sound like a Spanish version of "River Dance" with the recordings of dancing feet that sets the rhythm of the music, but what about the greatest dance of the movie? The part where the "Zorro-To-Be" dances a sexy tango with Zorro's daughter? It is missing from the CD!!! If this piece was included I would rate this CD a "5" because everything else is great.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recaptures an already beautiful movie-going experience, January 16, 2004

By	-Genevieve- (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

Much has already been said about this soundtrack, but I wanted to elaborate on something:

The only reason the music from the dance sequence isn't on this soundtrack is because it wasn't composed by Horner. I believe the dance sequence music is originally based on a famous folk song from the 1800's called "El Sombrero Blanco". (Supposedly, it was also used in 1940's The Mark of Zorro during a dance sequence.)
I did find a rendition online by Enrique Rodriguez called "El Sombrero" that sounds very similar to what was used in The Mask of Zorro. Keep in mind that the folk song is more upbeat -- in the movie version, they slowed it down, added more strings, and made it more dramatic.

So, don't let the fact that the dance sequence isn't on here keep you from buying this soundtrack. The rest of the music is wonderfully orchestrated, with the dancing feet/clapping rhythms matching the quick fencing action seen in the movie. When I first listened to "Zorro's Theme", during each dramatic crescendo, I could perfectly envision Zorro on-screen making one of his heroic entrances. It's hard to explain -- everytime I hear that song, I feel like standing on a rock, letting the wind blow through my hair, and staring into the sunset. I know that sounds ridiculous, lol, but it's really what goes through my head. Just listen to the song.

Anyway, I originally bought this soundtrack because of "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You", which is now one of my favorite movie songs of all time. And, I was pleasantly surprised with the rest of the music, which allowed me to relive what was already a beautiful movie-going experience. If you at least "liked" the movie, this soundtrack will be well worth your money.

I believe the music was what made the movie so powerfully enthralling, romantic, adventurous... The music evokes passion; it makes you feel like you're in that era and makes you believe in heroes again. The thrill you feel when you see Zorro, in his trademark gesture, raising his horse Tornado to the sun, waving to the people, and galloping off -- that's the thrill that is captured in this music.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music to March to, September 30, 1999

By A Customer

This soundtrack is so cool! I play it every day in band because our competition show is the soundtrack to "The Mask of Zorro" It is a powerful soundtrack and it sounds pretty good. Let me rephrase that-it sounds really good!! I also love "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You." The songs are not boring like some people have said. It is moving and fast sometimes. Sure, there are slow songs, but they really move you. We did not get the movie right when it came out but when we heard that our competition show was going to be "The Mask of Zorro," we got it. I love this soundtrack and if you are still thinking on buying it, you should. It is the coolest soundtrack ever-as good as Star Wars. Maybe even better-you decide.