The Passion of the Christ (Score) [SOUNDTRACK]

John Debney (Composer), Mel Gibson (Artist)

Product Details

• Composer: John Debney
• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0001ENY6M
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (157 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,885 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mel Gibson staked $30 million and his superstar reputation on this painstakingly bloody interpretation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all the while dodging charges of anti-semitism and fostering excruciating cinematic gore at the expense of Christ's message (a notion that also begs some uncomfortable questions about this version's S&M undertones). But because the film's dialog plays out in ancient authentic language dialects, John Debney's musical score takes on an even more central dramatic role. In some ways an unlikely choice as composer (having cut his teeth on many a lightweight comedy and kidflick) Debney nonetheless rises to the challenge, first conjuring up a synth-laden soundscape whose gothic moodiness should be familiar to admirers of the work of Lisa Gerrard, then seasoning it with indigenous instruments, booming percussion and ancient modalities that give the score an almost palpable sense of time and place. As did Jeff Danna on his earlier score for the gentler, de facto companion piece, The Gospel of John, Debney eventually gets 'round to genuflecting towards some Hollywood choral and melodic traditions (the Gospels themselves having arguably helped lay the original foundations for Tinseltown's venerable three-act structure), but there's nothing cheap about his music of triumph and redemption, rooted as ever in roiling currents of ancient spiritual mysticism. Gibson's vision of the Passion has had many second-guessing his motivations and choices, but Debney's rich, evocative score proves there's nothing wrong with his ears. -- Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars haunting and beautiful, February 27, 2004

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

John Debney's intense, melodic score adds much atmosphere to Mel Gibson's magnificent film, but can also stand on its own as intriguing and lovely listening. It uses a lot of background vocals and chanting to great effect, and fascinating instruments that give it a middle-eastern flavor; notable is the duduk, which is an ancient double-reed similar to the clarinet, often used in Armenian folk traditions.

It is a score that changes from gentle tenderness to percussive strength, always interesting in its many moods. A few tracks have lush string arrangements, and track # 9, "Mary Goes to Jesus" takes flight on wings of sound.
Other contributors to the score are Jack Lenz, Shankar & Gingger, with lyrics by Lisbeth Scott. The sound quality is terrific and total playing time is 54'09.
It is all at once inspiring, peaceful, and energizing music, and a score that I will be listening to many years from now.
See the film, and hear the music; this is the rare stuff that changes lives with its beauty, power, and truth.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before you criticize..., February 29, 2004

By A Customer

For all of those people self-righteously criticizing the soundtrack of this movie as being a lift off of Peter Gabriel's work, perhaps you should do some more research before making such an uneducated critique. Peter Gabriel, too, took the music for the Last Temptation from a significantly more historic source. The instruments used on both soundtracks is the duduk, a classic instrument used in Armenian music, which dates back to biblical times. Hence the choice to use it in both this film and Peter Gabriel's Last Temptation Soundtrack. Gabriel was in no way the creator or innovator of that sound, those melodies, nor the mood set by them. Armenian musicians have been mastering the duduk for over a thousand years. This soundtrack was inspired by them, and paid homage to them, much in the same way Gabriel has done for many years. But Gabriel doesn't have the sole ownership on being inspired by international and ancient music. This soundtrack was powerful and moving, due in part to the appropriate choice of instruments and musicians. People should try to appreciate the music for what it is, and not where you THINK it came from.

59 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemplate Passion, February 26, 2004

By	"magdala616" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews

I had access to this soundtrack prior to viewing the movie. It is moving, riveting, and soulful. I can almost envision the elements that each title represents. My husband has listened to it nonstop while at work for the past 2 days and has come home with a totally different attitude.
I highly recommend this especially as background music to listen to while meditating on Sacred Scripture. (Not too loud, just softly in the background.)