Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Howard Shore)

In Return of the Kings, Howard Shore uses a classical orchestra, and possibly a theremin in a few instances as well as a couple instances of lyrics, for all of the underscoring. The little diagetic music involves singing, battle horns, and, at least in the other two movies of the trilogy, some fiddle. Shore does not tend to use the typical musical sound of Korngold and Steiner in which non-violin strings frequently fill up the background or make up most of the underscoring, leaving brass and violin noticeable primarily in intense sequences. Perhaps to create a sort of Celtic atmosphere, Shore uses the violin/fiddle frequently in Return of the King. It especially evokes the pastoral setting of Rohan and its Rohirrim cavalry. He also employs brass frequently, and it fits in terms of Classic Hollywood traits because it is used with powerful men, large tracts of land, and battles.

Shore repeats many snipets of longer songs throughout all three movies, creating both direct and indirect leitmotifs. The ½Eb ½D ¼D ¼D ½Eb... (both taken from trombone sheet music) sequence and the ¼C ¼C ¼C ¼Eb ½D ½Eb ½F 1C... show up throughout: the first (EbD) represents the hopes of the fellowship; the second directly shows up whenever the Rohirrim appear. The EbD first appears in Fellowship of the Ring in "The Prophecy," the title credit song which starts off slow and mysterious and then introduces the EbD leitmotif. In Return of the King, EbD first appears with Aragorn and Merry as they watch Gandolf and Pippin ride to Minas Tirith in an attempt to council the Steward, Lord Denathor, for the upcoming defense of the city. It later appears with Sam and Frodo as Sam assures Frodo that they'll return from the journey to Mt. Doom. It occurs at least 6 other times, usually not lasting more than about 12 notes. Each time, someone in the fellowship inspires--like Aragorn giving a pep speech outside the Gates of Mordor--or takes brave action--like Sam attacking the orcs holding Frodo hostage. In general, the theme reminds the audience that the fellowship can still overcome the odds, something not obvious due to the constantly desperate conditions facing them. The second (CC) simply appears with the Rohirrim, especially when they are riding their horses. The CC comes from "Rohan," first used in The Two Towers as Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandolf enter Rohan for the first time. This theme is usually first delivered by fiddle and frequently echoed by brass that is not overwhelming.

Big Fish (Danny Elfman)

In Big Fish, Elfman uses the score to create an sort of happy, nostalgic atmosphere for the flashback stories which he ties to Ed's son's struggle to reconcile Ed's true story with the outlandish stories that Ed has told his entire life. In one of the first flashback scenes, Elfman uses soft piano and strings--both of which are heavily used throughout the film--with the transition from Will watching a boy on a plane make shadow animals to his reminisce of Ed, his father, showing him shadow animals. The general mood of the current time is sad, employing slow strings and piano for the most part, because Ed is dying and Will and he have not spoken for years. However, in the flashback story scenes, which are not wholly accurate within the plot framework, Elfman uses a variety of instruments to coincide with various scenes. Diagetic examples include the use of an outdoor band with the farewell parade in Ashton, circus music with the circus, and banjo and fiddle with the mysterious town down the old path. The music fits in the last example because the town is Southern, small, and very laid back. In the underscoring, for example, Elfman uses bells and strings to elicit a romantic feeling as Ed interacts with Sandra, and also a few classic rock themes to fit with the circa 1970 arrival on Auburn's campus and later business trips in a now classic Dodge Charger.

Interestingly, Elfman blends together these two realms at the very end of the film as Will sits beside his dying father and finally tells a "big fish" story of his own. His father asks him to tell him how he goes, knowing full well that he is dying of cancer and a stroke in a hospital and probably won't last much longer. The camera views switch variously between the deathbed and Will's story of his father's triumphant escape from the hospital to the crowd of all the characters from his life and his metamorphosis into a catfish in the river. The hospital shots still use mainly strings and piano to continue a sense of seriousness, but the story shots use a variety of adventurous full orchestra, fiddle and banjo, and band as Will and Ed imaginarily flee from the hospital for Ed's last terrestrial adventure. Will carries Ed into the water, the sappy strings and piano bleed over to the story not only to fit with his farewell to his wife, Sandra, but also to show the audience that Will's struggle to understand his father has come to an end as he is now the storyteller and Ed swims quietly off into the deep.

Malcolm X (Terence Blanchard)

Blanchard uses a wide variety of music throughout Malcolm X in order to concur with the various time, place, and atmospheric settings. When he uses orchestral pieces, they usually only use a few of the intstruments though many instruments are used in the movie. Additionally, much pre-recorded music is used, especially in public places, like diners, inside the police station, etc., in part to give a realistic ambience for the time period (post-WWII). The sharp contrast between the orchestral parts used in flashbacks to the Little household and the jazz used throughout Malcolm's adolescent and early adult life clearly show that Malcolm has strayed from his upbringing. Jazz vocals, trumpet, and saxophone proudly accompany adolescent Malcolm as he struts in his colorful garb to the barbershop. He then gets his hair straightened--Baines later tells him that he was just subconsciously conforming to white culture because whites don't have nappy hair--and the music picks up again as he and his friend, Shorty, strut out of the shop. During the dialogue in the barbershop, the music becomes quieter and possibly even diagetic though no radio is prominently seen. The scene then flips back to the Little household as members of the KKK surround their house. The orchestral music here and the use of powerful, ironic brass as the evil KKK ride off into the moon image recalls more classical Hollywood techniques. The less modern music here also helps set the countryside Little house from the Urban clubs where adolescent Malcolm parties.

Blanchard uses the snare drum in military rhythm noticeably in two places in order to evoke a serious atmosphere already provided by the action. First, the drums accentuate the discipline of Malcolm's crowd outside the hospital. They have been awaiting news on Brother Johnson, whom the police have unduly battered with a nightstick. The crowd is organized in lines, just like military formation, and turns as a unit--except for one admirer--when Malcolm signals them to leave. This usage does, however, allow the audience to presume that the crowd will follow his direction and leave peacefully. Later, the snare are used with footage of Kennedy's death and funeral. Rather than using "Taps," Blanchard uses the snares to demonstrate the gravity of the assassination. The snares, unlike "Taps," represent more than solemnity: they also represent marching, perhaps to war. Shortly thereafter, Malcolm makes controversial, misconstrued statements on Kennedy's assassination, blaming the white race and saying that he is not surprised they have used their violent powers against one of their own leaders after doing the same for hundreds of years to other peoples. He is subsequently discredited by the Nation of Islam and his battle to survive and protect his family begins.

The Mission (Morricone)

In The Mission, Morricone opts to forgo orchestral scoring in favor of a few strings, percussion, and woodwind instruments to create an atmosphere more concurrent with the native setting. Brass is used a couple times along with the antagonistic slaveowner. One of the instruments, which appears to be a recorder, ties in with the Jesuits because we see one of them playing it near the beginning of the film in order to win the hearts of the natives. Moreso than in past films, the ambient noises bleed through and often take the place of underscoring. These noises add to the mood better pure than underscoring might. For example, the rushing noise of the river as Rodrigo and some others filch gunpowder from the sleeping Portuguese soldiers is heard well over the faint, low string underscoring. The tension of the scene is obvious, because if the whole camp wakes up, Rodrigo and company will surely be shot to death. The music and ambience changes little even as they silence and stab to death a soldier who wakes up. Despite the continuous mood of the music here, we can clearly tell that the mood has become even more grave, without any stinger or crescendo to help us figure it out.

Morricone repeats "Ave María" throughout the movie, sung at least three times by the natives, always in an effort to convince the colonizers that they're worth protecting. The first time a young native boy sings it in front of the Catholic in charge in Asunción and he is very impressed. The cold-hearted landowners, however, say that even a parrot can be taught to sing. When the Catholic superior visits the Guaraní mission for the first time, he is thoroughly impressed as the whole native population sings Ave María beautifully for him outside their church. However, he sides with the powerful landowners because he thinks it will save the Jesuit order. The natives sing it diagetically once more during their final mass, outdoors, in sharp contrast to the slaughter surrounding them. Only once the soldiers begin shooting the women and children does the singing stop, but the procession continues regardless.

John Williams and A New Hope

Returning to a full orchestra in Star Wars: A New Hope, John Williams draws from Korngold and Steiner in the ways he uses themes and instruments. Though the spectacular opening music is not quite a traditional overture that contains bits and pieces of music to be used throughout the film,this "Main Theme" does become an underlying theme. Likewise, Williams uses a lot of music in comparison to films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid(1969), returning to filler music that is not quite as rampant as that of The Bride of Frankenstein(Steiner). Also, brass is mainly highlighted in battle scenes and with the clearly evil Darth Vader as well as the Sand People.

Two of the most prevalent themes associated with Luke and his fellow allies, who, except for Han Solo, are presented as basically heroic, are variations on "Main Theme" and "Princess Leia's Theme." The first is the opening scene and reminds us of the narrative text following the opening that portrays the rebellion as just and courageous. Possibly the earliest reiteration of "Main Theme" occurs with R2D2 on the rebel ship because he holds the Death Star schematic crucial to the rebel's survival. There are many other instances of this theme with variations on the instrumental composition and tempo. For instance, the theme becomes urgent as Luke unwisely rushes back home in the landspeeder after he and Obi Wan conclude that the Storm Troopers have gone there to kill his aunt and uncle. "Princess Leia's Theme" debuts as Leia holds a blaster in anticipation of the Storm Troopers coming to capture her. It is a soft theme that is mostly strings, conforming with Hollywood standards on heroines even though she acts more like a manly hero than many heroines before her. The theme becomes more romantic as it's repeated while her holographic message to Obi Wan Kenobi entrances Luke, as well as when he rescues her from her Death Star cell.

2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey is an incredibly unique movie that does not bend to Hollywood's traditional use of music and excludes many common nonmusical elements that we have seen thus far. In 1968, Kubrick had a fair amount of special effects abilities, which he employed frequently--such as the rotating rooms, the floating pen, and the psychodelic graphic sequence used as David flies toward Jupiter. Also, there is no romantic female role, little dialogue, and little guidance as to how we should interpret the plot. As far as music is concerned, Kubrick uses existing music, and little music at all, so I will refer to him as the musical authority for 2001: A Space Odyssey as there is no traditional composer.

Kubrick takes a minimalist approach to 2001, employing only 5 songs. To begin the film he uses a mezzoforte "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," a classical orchestra piece with noticeable but not overbearing brass that build a couple of times and then slow but light drums to build a sense of wonder as we see visions of the Sun--rising--, Earth, and Moon line up in space. Then there is a noticeable void of music as we see terrestrial sunrises over vast, seemingly desolate plains. Here the noise of the wind in the background contributes to the feeling of desolateness and the utter lack of dialogue. The hooting and hollering of rival simian tribes later accentuates their primitivity without any music necessary or used. The next music is "Lux Aeterna," a rather quiet anti-climactic piece using long vocal notes and what sounds like a theremin also using long notes. This is the piece of music that will become the leitmotif for the mysterious rectangular prism that seems to represent knowledge and perhaps religion. This music stops abruptly as the scene changes and is not replaced by other music. Kubrick frequently drops music at the end of scenes without replacing it. "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" comes back as a primate discovers tools by bashing a skeleton with a femur bone. The other songs used are "Blue Danube Waltz," which accompanies the courting ritual of the space station and Floyd's passenger shuttle, "Requiem," which creates an eerie feeling as Jupiter and its moons come into view, and "Adventure," which might be the theme used when we are introduced to HAL's ship. Technically, HAL also sings a portion of "Daisy," a lubby-dubby song that he can only sing slowly and exhaustedly as David removes successful parts of his artificial neural processor. This represents how innocent technology can be when it is in a simple state; a sharp contrast to calmly, murderously obsessed HAL who kills off members of the crew to ensure the safety of the mission.

This movie has the least dialogue of any movie that I have ever seen, and Kubrick attempts to fill these spaces with appropriate mechanical humming noises, heavy breathing, and the like. These change with the camera location: in the infamous "Open the pod bay doors, HAL." sequence, space is realistically silent, the inside of Dave's pod cabin has some unobtrusive mechanical sound, and the inside of the ship with HAL has a faint mechanical droning noise that accentuates HAL's brevity and refusal to speak in the beginning of their "Open the pod bay doors" exchange because the audience is expecting some sort of dialogue but only gets the humming noise. Almost any other movie would have employed some form of music in at least a few of the tense sequences such as this exchange, HAL's disconnection of the hibernaters from life support, or HAL's eavesdropping. No evil theme is ever associated directly with HAL, implying perhaps that complex technology is sterile, devoid of emotion. All of the previous characters we have seen have been human, and perhaps Kubrick is trying to display the lack of humanity in HAL or even the crewmates by suppressing his musical themes. For instance, David does not cry or become visibly upset when he sees his crewmate floating dead in space, nor when he kills HAL.

Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann)

Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo features composer Bernard Herrmann and his ominous, suspenseful score. Like previous film composer, Herrmann uses leitmotifs meant to help represent an idea or a character. A couple obvious leitmotifs are the somewhat sappy strings used to represent Judy's complex character and the strings that buzz like bees during John Ferguson's most intense chase scenes which are directly linked to high-adrenaline moments evoking vertigo--when he looks down while hanging off the gutter, when he sees the stairs in the mission chasing after Judy, and when he has a nightmare about "Marilyn" falling out of the tower. The Judy theme is important because it is used at least once when she is not there, but John is in his car thinking about her after talking with Midge or looking at her old car after Marilyn's death: each of which provides some foreshadowing because Judy's still alive.

Herrman seems to employ some common film music techniques of the day--such as leitmotifs and turning diagetic music into underscoring (i.e. the church organ in the mission church)--, but he also uses some interesting interplay between instruments playing the same tune at different octaves and also often uses one instrument as a backdrop and then switches between other instruments intermittently to add meaning to this undertone. After John Ferguson talks to the concierge of the former Valdez house, Herrmann switches back and forth a couple times between trombones and then flutes playing a string of about 8 notes. This technique helps the music stay in the front of the viewer's mind instead of becoming easily unnoticeable background drivel. Yet it still remains subdued enough to allow the action to take center stage. Later on, Herrmann uses a modest harplike tune as a backdrop complemented individually by strings, then trombone, and then other instruments. The background music in turn can be viewed differently alongside stronger or weaker, deeper or higher instruments much as the plot can be viewed differently looking from different perspectives of each character. This may be a stretch, but I believe it is a valid interpretation because Herrmann uses this technique right after Midge visits Ferguson in the hospital and the direction of the plot is in a rather liquid, unpredictable state.