This Is Academy Award Material!
Andrew | Cullman, AL | 02/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Personally, this soundtrack is the first Academy Award-winning nominee of 2003 (and others agree). 'Cross the Green Mountain and Going Home are haunting ballads that not only reflect upon the Civil War, but also upon each other. One is the Celtic song, Going Home, beautifully performed by Mary Fahl. The second, Bob Dylan's country song 'Cross the Green Mountains, is eight minutes long but still adds greatly to the soundtrack. From what I know about the movie, the Irish Brigade was given some deal of screen time, so naturally, I think more about the Union during Going Home, and the Confederates during 'Cross the Green Mountain.
John Frizzell and Randy Edelman do a superb job in this soundtrack. Although Frizzell composed the majority of the music, you can still hear a little of the original Gettysburg theme from time to time. One improvement I think they made was the addition of vocals to the music. Gods and Generals and VMI Will Be Heard From Today are good examples of these vocals. I'm listening to the music now, and WOW, it has EVERYTHING! Even if you don't like the Civil War, and you don't want to see the movie, you have to hear this music!!The DVD was great addition to the soundtrack. It has the theatrical trailer on it, as well as two music videos and six or so deleted scenes. Face it, if you're a Civil War fanatic, the DVD alone is worth the overall cost!This soundtrack does a superb job of including the many feelings of the war while still packing the epic punch of Gettysburg. It displays everything from the tragedy and the horror to the hopeful and the inspirational, no matter what side they were on, and in the end, it offers us something that is truly American."
WOW!!!
Joseph | Biddeford, ME USA | 02/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This soundtrack is increadible!! The theme song alone justifies the cost of this CD!. Most of it is much slower then "Gettysburg" 1993, yet very well written and fitting. After having seen the Movie, I thought "To the Stone Wall" needed to be less happy and more dramatic and sad to show the bravery of the 20th Maine as they charged the hill at Fredericksburg and failed. When I heard the Gods and Generals Theme (track 2) for the first time, I was moved to tears! I can't count how many times I have listened to this track. It has to be one of the most emotional and powerful Movie themes ever written!! All I can say is WOW!!!"
It's Beautiful
Roger J. Buffington | 02/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't remember when I've been more moved by a movie soundtrack. I already know all the words to Going Home by Mary Fahl. Her voice is haunting. I really wish there were more than five stars for this CD. Additionally, the sweeping and evocative instrumentals bring me to tears. This was such a tragic and heroic time in America's history; perhaps timely in many ways. I think there are at least four or five Academy Awards in this CD; certainly Bob Dylan and Mary Fahl but also Original Music Score. Gorgeous, Sad, Magnificant."