Search - Cliff Eidelman :: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Fitting Finale for Star Trek The Original Series

D. B. Levenstam | Centreville, VA USA | 07/12/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The music possesses a dark grandeur. I enjoyed the film, and still think the soundtrack may be its best element. The CD's front cover folds out into six small pages, containing four still shots from the film, one picture of the original cast members posing in their Star Trek VI uniforms on the bridge of the Enterprise-A, and an approximately 200-word testimonial from Nicholas Meyer, the film's co-writer and director, to his wonderful working relationship with composer Cliff Eidelman. The first still shot shows an unhappy General Chang sitting in the captain's chair aboard his Bird-of-Prey. In the second shot we see Spock and Valeris at the peace conference, with Chekov and delegates in the background. In the third shot Kirk and McCoy stand trial on Chronos. The final shot shows a slightly-blurry Enterprise-A moving away from space dock at impulse.Eidelman has produced a brooding and moody soundtrack. Almost entirely original, it fittingly contains periodic strains reminiscent of music from both Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Sad and nostalgic at times, it nonetheless finishes with triumphant music conveying what may be the ultimate Star Trek message: The human adventure is only beginning."

Excellent score from a relative youngster

Steve Dallas | 03/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This score is not the equal of Goldsmith's masterwork for the original ST movie (few will ever be) or Horner's great work for "ST III" (better than his soundtrack for "ST II"), but it was an amazing effort for a 24-year-old and far, far better then Rosenman's dreadful (and inexplicably Oscar-nominated!) "ST IV." The terrific opening march sets the tone for what is easily the darkest of all ST scores. (And in response to the earlier poster who felt he ripped off Holst's "The Planets," director Nick Meyer asked him to make an opening that resembled "Mars, the Bringer of War," so don't knock him for doing so.) This soundtrack won't blow you away, but it is marvelous work for one so young and it still puzzles me that it didn't advance him to the big leagues like Horner's breakthrough effort for "ST II" did for him. Buy it!"

Dark. Ominous. Foreboding. Sound exciting? Read on!

admkirk | THE TEMPLE OF DOOM! | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - I consider this to be the best of all the Trek scores. It is much, much darker than any other (First Contact doesn't even come close) and it has that freshness that many cd's have when it is one of a composer's first efforts.First of all, it should be noted that this cd sounds extremely close at times to "The Planets" suite bu Gustav Holst, especially to the amazing "Mars, The Bringer of War". This is not bad, especially since I like the score to the movie better. It seems more like a homage than a rip-off.The main theme in this movie, while possibly not as epic as Goldsmith's Star Trek: The Motion Picture theme, is just as beautiful and strong. It is only used in a few tracks here, but they are great. The best use by far is the "Sign Off" sequence at the end. The music quiets down as Kirk gives his final "Captain's Log", then flows into one of the two best uses of the TV fanfare ever! This sequence is simply stunning. Spock's theme is used several places, most notably in "Assassination" with a strange, throbbing sound, which helps to bring out the other-worldly feel of the theme. It is used, interestingly, during "Escape From Rura Penthe" as the escapees travel in the arctic wastes. This usage is very beautiful and helps to bring out the emptiness of the scene. A good as these themes are, they are not used too much during the soundtrack. The Klingon theme is the heart and soul of the score. Unlike the previous Klingon tunes, this one is very dark and throbbing. It is probably the best theme in here, and it really sets the whole score appart from any other. It is used in nearly every track except for the few lighter ones. There are several motifs also, including ones for the assassins, explosions and others. They make the score even better, being woven into it all through the cd.The best track on here is the "Overture", definitely the best Trek title and a near definite best track ever. The first time I heard it, I had only heard versions of the grand main theme and Spock's theme, and was expecting something light or brassy. The moment I heard that throbbing opening and the chilling chorus with it, I knew this score would be different. Other great parts are: "Assassination" when Spock's theme ends and the Klingon theme opens up, until the assassin's theme comes in; "Escape From Rura Penthe" - all of it, especially the arctic "helicopter" music; "The Battle for Peace" - definitely the best background track, and the best "final battle" music ever! The best part is the section leading up to the explosion of the Bird-of-Prey; "Sign Off" when Kirk reads his Captain's Log and the Enterprise sails into the sunset; and, finally, "End Title", which is long, but stupendous, weaving all the main themes together into a perfect send-off for the original crew.This cd may not be as "epic" as The Motion Picture, or as fun as The Final Frontier (my two other favorites) but its darkness sets it apart by making it richer and more exciting. If you only buy one Trek cd, it should probably not be this one, but one you've listened to film music, this should be HIGH on your list to get. It is worth every cent it costs and the dratted computer should let me give it 6 stars. BUY IT NOW !"