American History X [SOUNDTRACK]

Anne Dudley

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 3, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00000DG1O
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,127 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The idea of hiring a former member of the Art of Noise to score a dramatic film about deadly racism seems as sensible as existing solely on pizza from Chuck E. Cheese. But Anne Dudley gave up on skittering electronic pop long ago (though not before doing some damage in collaboration with Frankie Goes to Hollywood). She conjured an offbeat vibe for The Crying Game, then earned an Oscar in 1997 for the score to The Full Monty. With American History X, Dudley takes her most serious turn, composing a suite of songs that reflect the foreboding, tragic plot of Tony Kaye's startling film. Using Tchaikovsky-like orchestration and a pristine boys' choir, she covers a range of emotions. A string section's squalls evoke high-pitched tension; a brass-led movement reflects sorrow and frustration; the soaring voices suggest redemption. It's a moving score, at once troubling and hopeful. --Richard Martin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, strong and subtle...., June 15, 1999

By	James P. Wong (Downey, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not acquainted with Anne Dudley's previous soundtracks, however after watching this film I had to buy this soundtrack. Listening while remembering the context of the film will definitely have you enjoying this soundtrack, but even if you're not acquainted with the film this is a disc definitely worth checking out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dudley proves her Oscar win was no fluke., November 12, 1998

By A Customer

Anne Dudley, Oscar winner for last years THE FULL MONTY, scales new heights with this elegiac and moving work. Much like the film that inspired it, this is a haunting and ultimately sorrowful examination of the effects of hatred and racism. But while the film is often almost unbearably brutal, the score is more restrained providing a powerful contrast to the images onscreen. Aside from John William's SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, this may be the best score of the year. With AMERICAN HISTORY X, Dudley, who is British, follows in the tradition of Dvorak and, more recently, John Barry, foreign composers who, with their NEW WORLD SYMPHONY and score to DANCES WITH WOLVES, respectively, were able to capture a sound and mood that is distinctly American. If Dudley's Oscar win for THE FULL MONTY can be seen as more of a consolation prize for what was a good, but not great, score to a much loved film, then AMERICAN HISTORY X should be seen as her first truly great score in what looks to be a long and exciting career.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best soundtrack Ive heard this year., May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This was just the best soundtrack Ive heard. It has captured the emotions of the film in a perfect way. (Or is it that the songs made the emotions in the movie?)