Comparing 3 random scores, round 1

[Sandor 459]

Wearing a "blindfold", I just picked 3 scores from my soundtrack collection. The goal is to determine which is the best score of the three. Here a my choices:

1. The Witches Of Eastwick - John Williams

2. Legends Of The Fall - James Horner

3. The Godfather - Nino Rota

First off; I'm glad these are relatively well known and appreciated scores. But, the difference is quite big. Eastwick may be one of Williams' more underrated achievements. It is a somewhat light, comical affair, with some apocalyptic moments in it. The Ballroom Scene may be the single greatest "unknown" theme Williams has ever written and stuff like The Tennis Game or Daryl Rejected has a spirit that is quite unique.

Legends is a fantastic score. It may the most typical "Horner 90's score", but the main theme grabs my attention every time. Every fiber in my soul tells me I shouldn't like something like The Ludlows. It's TOO simple, but I can't help to use it every time someone wants to hear "beautiful film music". It's quite amazing actually. There's a lot more happening: To War, For The Boys, the finale... It's wonderful.

The Godfather has two classic themes: the main theme and the more melodic, lyrical Love Theme. You would have to put a gun to my head to make me choose the better between them. But, besides these themes, the soundtrack has very little that hooks me. I don't like the "source music"-type tracks, neither the more atonal selections that dominates most of the movie. It is a bit outdated in sound and arrangements IMO.

My choice: Legends Of The Fall.

[robthehand 3]

The Godfather is a little boring on album, but in the film it works perfectly. So as a score, that gets my vote.

However, in terms of listening experience, The Witches of Eastwick is by far the best - one of my favourite Williams CDs, despite missing out some good material from the complete score.

[Morlock 9]

Best score? The Godfather. Best album? Legends of the Fall.

Although it must be said that I'm not too familiar with the complete Eastwick score. I only have a bootleg, and I almost never listen to it.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

This is like choosing between a iPod and an Aston Martin DB9.

i'm sorry I can't do this.

[Sandor 459]

This is like choosing between a iPod and an Aston Martin DB9.

Yeah, that's a REALLY good comparison...

Comparing three film scores is pretty much like comparing a portable audio carrier with a sportscar...

[King Mark 2,924]

Legend of the fall is typical 90's Horner,which I am not too fond of,but I can still listen to from time to time...but not this one,I find it incredibly bland.

K.M.

[Ollie 859]

Legends of the Fall = Lonesome Dove and any other Horner score, been there heard it already.

Godfather II - Don't remember too much of the score outside of the themes but it does work well within the film. It's not one of my favorites.

The Witches Of Eastwick - Not Williams best but it has a fun theme and there are several cues that are fantastic. In my opinion this is one of those moments where the music may have been too good for the film.

My Choice - The Witches Of Eastwick.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

I choose Legends of the Fall

[Sergeant 1,093]

1. The Witches Of Eastwick - John Williams

[Romão 1,931]

Witches of Eastwick. It´s the most inventive and fresh of them all.

[alfredo 0]

Using play counts to determine this, Legends of the Fall is the winner, however, if those 3 were nominated for an Oscar together I would give it to The Godfather.

[Miguel Andrade 964]

Do I really need to answer this one?

Read my mind...

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Witches is a great score with a terrific main theme, and like everyone else has said, The Ballroom Scene is simply gorgeous. It's a pretty distinct work for Williams, and a really enjoyable listening experience (the original album, at least). Legends of the Fall is pretty typical Horner, but not annoyingly so. It has several lovely, rich themes that weave in and out of one another, and the grand, lush orchestrations really add to its beauty. I haven't heard The Godfather score, other than the theme, so between the former two, I'll go with Witches since it's more unique.

Ray Barnsbury