Back To The Future Trilogy (Film Score Re-recording) [SOUNDTRACK]

Alan Silvestri, John Debney, Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00001QGS9
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,570 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth a try, but don't get too excited, May 6, 2000

By	"shieh1" (United States) - See all my reviews

If you want original quality, get the original scores. I would also have liked to get a boxed set of the original soundtracks. This CD is only for those who want to listen to alternate versions of certain music. Tracks 16 to 19 are all genuine from the Part III original score. I have always loved to hear the Part II theme, but the version on the Trilogy CD does not compare at all. The tempo is slower, and the instruments and tone are totally different...nothing like the original. The "Burn The Book" track is also altered. They took the drums out of the beginning, which changed the music completely. The Part I theme is also different. This version uses fewer instruments than the original. Even though you get certain Part I tracks that weren't on the original score, like the famous "Skateboard Chase," you can bet that Debney and RSNO changed the music in some way. I think fans shoud get this only if they want to hear music not found anywhere else (like the "Skateboard Chase").

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, March 23, 2000

By	DocTodd (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews

This recording sounds terrible, first of all. There is nothing wrong with the actual sound quality; the fidelity of the recording is fine. However, Varese's "concert hall" acoustic style of recording is getting on my nerves. This recording has none of the vibrancy or immediacy of a real film score recording. I dare you to listen to the original MCA soundtrack and tell me this recording compares. The snare drums are consistently muted throughout and in certain sections are dropped from the music! This happens in Clocktower pt. 1 and in Lone Pine Mall '85. The piano parts are all way too soft. Debney's interpretation and the RSNO performance is totally inferior. They did not do the original score justice. Their take on Clocktower pt. 1 is atrocious. The tempos are all too slow. However, in spite of all these problems, it's better than nothing. Clocktower pt. 2 actually sounds pretty decent. I am glad to finally have that on CD. There are a few other worthy cues too, such as "Doc Returns" and the music from BTTF 2.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for all BTTF fans!!, January 1, 2003

By	Ramsis Lion "ramsislion" (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I have been a huge fan of the trilogy since it came out in 1985 and now with the release of the DVD set of all 3 movies, hopefuly fans will realize how great and powerful the music of all 3 movies were. The movie was great but Alan Silvestri's masterful score really brings the movies home.

The Trilogy set itself is a total instrumental work redone by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and includes most of the songs that weren't on the BTTF 1 and BTTF 2 soundtracks (That I recomend people to buy as well including this one). The first BTTF album was more of a real song album and only 2 of the songs that Alan did for the movie were on it. This CD though gives us all the songs we always wanted including the Skateboard chase (similar to the Hoverboard chase on Pt 2 album) and the complete Clocktower climax at the end of the movie, which alone makes it a great buy to get this album. Also it has the Old West preview music that you hear at the end of Part 2 where they show you the coming attractions to the next movie. That wasn't on the part 2 album.

Unfortunatly though this album isn't PERFECT. It does have a few flaws. The orchestra doing this album isn't as polished and powerful sounding as the Outatime Orchestra that does the music for the original 3 albums. Notes seem to be distant at times and when you play the similar theme on the other album or as you heard it in the movie there is a very noticible difference. Also none of the songs from Part 3 were redone . They just took the songs off the existing Part 3 album which is alright as they picked some good ones. (Point of No Return and End Credits are some of the best from the Pt 3 soundtrack in my opinion). Another down side is that they leave off some really great songs from part 2 like the tunnel chase and Hoverboard chase. Both really powerful songs that may have been done well recreated. But again I would just recomend people buy the second movie soundtrack to hear the great works . This soundtrack is great for those who want all the songs from Part 1 as well and the BTTF:The Ride song is intersting as well.

So overall its a great album and really completes the entire score now for fans to get all songs BTTF related that were left out on the previous. You won't be disapointed and for the price its well worth it. But do get the other 3 if you have the money or at least the second if you want to hear some of Silvestri's best BTTF work.