Director Kevin Reynolds infuses Alexandre Dumas's classic tale of treachery and revenge with the same contemporary, kinetic energy he employed on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, arguably to much better effect. Composer Ed S... more »hearmur's moody, evocative score is a great asset in the effort. Largely eschewing the pomp and Wagnerian melodramatics of many similar costume dramas, the composer again evokes much of the same sense of delicate ambience and quiet mystery he successfully used on K-PAX. Working in a contemporary vein, Shearmur seamlessly fuses his electronic elements with the shadings of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, creating a slyly organic score that builds its dramatic character on rhythms, space, and color, rather than typically brash melodic cues. Shearmur's music shades mood and character without calling attention to itself. If there's a temptation to lament the lack of melody here, it's good to remember people don't revere Bernard Herrmann's music for its hummable qualities, either. --Jerry McCulley« less
Director Kevin Reynolds infuses Alexandre Dumas's classic tale of treachery and revenge with the same contemporary, kinetic energy he employed on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, arguably to much better effect. Composer Ed Shearmur's moody, evocative score is a great asset in the effort. Largely eschewing the pomp and Wagnerian melodramatics of many similar costume dramas, the composer again evokes much of the same sense of delicate ambience and quiet mystery he successfully used on K-PAX. Working in a contemporary vein, Shearmur seamlessly fuses his electronic elements with the shadings of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, creating a slyly organic score that builds its dramatic character on rhythms, space, and color, rather than typically brash melodic cues. Shearmur's music shades mood and character without calling attention to itself. If there's a temptation to lament the lack of melody here, it's good to remember people don't revere Bernard Herrmann's music for its hummable qualities, either. --Jerry McCulley
CD Reviews
A man of talent and diversity.
bear283 | 08/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Edward Shearmur is a little known composer who has done a lot of different styles. Wings of the Dove romantic sound, to Very Thought of You fun and simple, to K-Pax futurisitc and techno sounding.
i love his work on the Count of Monte Cristo the best. Shearmur is moving without all the usual melodies and action driven without havin to use endless pounding drums. Count is moving and unique. every track gives the listener something new. Shearnur is great becasue he doesn't give everything right away like most composers. the whole score builds, not just one track. Only the waltz was missed on the score. This is one for Oscar nomination. Amazing"
A Must Have Score
Morgan | New York | 07/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very few scores are as versitile as this one. Each track is shaped differently from the one before it. Some tracks are dark and edgy, others energetic (I've actually listened to them while running on the tredmill), still others are unbelievably calming and soothing. For the most part, a deep bass is coupled with a higher pitched instrument (anything from what sounds to be wind chimes to tamborines to harps? to violins to trumpets...) If you have enjoyed scores such as "The Red Violin" or "Spider-man", you will appriciate this score. The film's story is sinister yet valiant, heartbreaking yet uplifting... and so is the score."
EXCELLENT!
Paula | California, USA | 07/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't believe how much I love this movie, and one of the reasons is the excellent soundtrack. The music is perfectly matched to each scene. You can really feel the emotion just from the music. No matter how many times I watch this movie, I still get goosebumps at certain scenes because the music is so moving. I highly recommend this soundtrack."
Shearmur in fine form
Christopher Girvan | Menzies Creek- Australia | 07/07/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although not as romantic as his earlier "wings of a dove" simply because of the genre, shearmur's energetic score shares more adrenilin with debney's "cutthroat island" than any of his other works. It features some gentle choral writing and a touch of "celtic sound' (for reasons unknown) that will have any music lover getting out their "air violin". Overall this is a wonderful lush, sweeping and pleasently varied listen with many different sounds to enjoy, from the dark to the romantic, with lashings of adventure. Enjoyable simply as a piece of music too, because I haven't seen the film! Enjoy."
Everything I thought it would be!
ukforever | Salt Lake City, UT USA | 02/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't usually run out and buy cds anymore- it's a waste of money if I don't like it. But this one is a real gem! I took a chance and am highly satisfied. This atmospheric music is fantastic and brings beautiful scenes from the movie instantly to mind. To me, it sounds like a mixture of my favorite soundtracks while at the same time, holding it's own next to them on my cd rack. A fantastic buy!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1