R. J. Teed | Dearborn, MI United States | 05/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This score is a monumental piece of work that is right up there with the great biblical epic scores by Miklos Rosza and others. Unfourtunately, the movie itself was nowhere near as compelling as the music. I have to say that of all Jerry Goldsmith movie scores, and I have heard almost all of them(there are over 170), THE FINAL CONFLICT is my personal favorite. This score is different than the first two Omens(the first Omen won the best score Oscar). CONFLICT is bigger in scale than the first two and contains all new themes including a driving horn theme for the evil Damien and a beautiful pastoral theme representing the forces of good. The score still contains some of the same kind of unsettling choral music from the first two films. The CD itself could be better but I shouldn't complain for I'm grateful it is available on CD. It is long enough at 50 minutes and captures all the highlights of the score. The best tracks are "Main Title","Trial Run","The Monastery","The Second Coming","The Hunt","The Blooding Reel", and "The Final Conflict" which underscores no less than the second coming of Christ. There is only one good piece of music toward the end of the movie that I think should have been included on the CD. The sound quality isn't the best but this album is still worthy of 5 stars. Buy this!"
Unapproachable!
R. J. Teed | 10/22/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rarely has such a soundtrack been so good, yet so overlooked. Goldsmiths use of the choir is completely and utterly unsurmountable. He has created a soundtrack that not only surpasses the original Oscar-winning score by ten-fold but creates what can only be paraphrased by Frank Zappa: 'A Film For the Ears'. The movie may be dour (at best) but Goldsmith takes horror beyond the normal limit. I cannot imagine a more insane score than this. Goldsmith is to films what Igor Stravinski and Krzysztof Penderecki are to modern composition."
No conflict here, the score is pure gold.
Chadwick H. Saxelid | Concord, CA United States | 10/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Odd as it might seem, The Final Conflict was the first and only film in the Omen trilogy were Damien Thorn himself was the main character and focus of the film's plot. The first two films in the trilogy were primarily focused on other characters becoming aware of just who and what Damien was. This subtle shift in narrative focus allowed Jerry Goldsmith the opportunity to create an entirely new theme for the Anti-Christ. This majestic and foreboding sounding theme appears in nearly all the tracks. Just as Damien's plans and personality influence the people and events around him, so his theme interpolates into the underlying music that serves as a background for the drama. This is a truly majestic score, one that no Jerry Goldsmith fan should be without. Shame on the Academy for overlooking Mr. Goldsmith's wonderful contribution to this film."
"Sam Neill as Damien...Goldsmith's thrilling gothic score"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 05/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Director Graham Baker and Richard Donner (one of the producers), gives us something to dream about (nightmares), in this last chapter of the Omen Trilogy ~ "The Final Conflict". Sam Neill delivers a commanding performance as Damien (Satan's spawn), but none of this would have the same effect, without a spine tingling score from Jerry Goldsmith, a stroke of terror is introduced.Goldsmith who gave us the first two "The Omen" (1976) and "Damien:Omen II" (1978), each time a chilling, thrilling and gothic score with blending of full chorus. This time our favorite composer gives us the full treatment ~ leaving no note unturned ~ featuring tubular bells, electronic keyboard, haunting strings and counter-balanced brass. Could not see any other composer at the helm, knowing Goldsmith's past accomplishments.May I mention the stand outs ~ "MAIN TITLE", sets the mood ~ "ELECTRIC STORM", is simply the highlight ~ "THE FINAL CONFLICT", paints each cue on a musical canvas, with streaks of horror and cold chills thrown in.Hats off to ~ The National Philarmonic Orchestra, Lionel Newman (conductor), Robert Townson (executive producer) and our host, composer and producer, who has many "film-score-buff" followers ~ JERRY GOLDSMITH! Total Time: 48:26 on 13 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande VSD-5282 ~ (1981)"