Search - George Fenton :: The Crucible: Original Soundtrack Recording

Steve L. (Keerayduh) from ARLINGTON, VA
Reviewed on 1/1/2007...

Music by George Fenton

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Works Well in Movie; A little bland on CD; Strong ending

Vincent D. Robles | TEXAS | 04/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"George Fenton does well here. Reading the CD booklet you understand the research and thought he put into this score, using period instruments (viols and sackbuts).



But it is perhaps unfortunate that the score is little bland in my headphones. Allow me to explain. Most tracks serve merely to accentuate and emphasize certain scenes. Notice the deep base strike when Elizabeth lies for her husband in "The Interrogation of Elizabeth" track. When she says no, the base strikes. Just one example. And for another, moments later when Abigail pretends to see a "yellow bird" the orchestra vigorously strikes to create suspense and shock.



But these moments, while obvious action cues, are actually quite effective if you have a passion for the story and you realize the important moments accompany the score here and there. But other tracks such as "Reverand Hale" and "The Village Meeting" just drag on in quiet underscore. Rather boring, because you can't quite pinpoint where the movie is and you can't quite recall certain classic lines being spoken here. Just bland underscore in certain tracks.



HOWEVER,



The strongest tracks are heartwrenching. "The Beach" and "Proctor Confesses" and "The Crucible End Titles (Forgive Us)". These tracks are SOOOOO sad. "The Beach" creates the tragically sweet reconciliation of Elizabeth and John. And we see the paper being ripped and the three innocent souls approach the scaffold in "Proctor Confesses" The last track serves as a strong excersise in thematic writing. The motif clearly portrays the tragic ending and tugs at my heart. These three are the strongest tracks and if you have any love for the story, the play, the movie, they are worth the entire CD alone. At least for me. I share a strong partnership and experience with this story.



My high school theatre department has worked diligently for three months in creating this story. And Fenton's music has been used througout to create and accentuate acting and emotion.



I love this story and the last three tracks capture it, in my opinion. Hauntingly Beautiful."

Fitting for the Film!

P. Belfordano | Chicago, IL USA | 07/25/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The score in and of itself is very unique in that it blends the rythem of the time (1692 Salem, Mass.) and the feel of the culture into one pot. Its a very acceptional score and Fenton's work fits the film amazingly! If you like period scores this is a must buy as it will remind much of 17th century New England with a little bit of an erie side to it. I give it a thumbs up as it is a well composed score and AN EVEN MORE AWESOME PLAY/MOVIE! Check that out too. Peace."