Search - Jerry Goldsmith, National Philharmonic Orchestra :: Great Train Robbery (Score)

One of Jerry Goldsmith's Best

The JuRK | Our Vast, Cultural Desert | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite Jerry Goldsmith film score will always be his Academy Award-winning work for THE OMEN (an excellent Special Edition CD is available too, by the way).



But I also loved his stylish and elegant score for THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY. He manages to capture the pomp of 19th Century English society (or snobbery, depending on your attitude) along with the excitement of the robbery scenes throughout the entire score--the sound of classical music with the fun of a winking romp.



I had the soundtrack on vinyl back when the film came out and I'm thrilled that it's been remastered and released on CD.

Check it out."

Good-spirited caper receives an excellent score

Media Mike | Georgia, U.S. | 05/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Great Train Robbery is a film caper that contains an agreeable blend of wit, suspense and 19th century style. Much of the the first two elements are supplied in good part by Jerry Goldsmith's score. This soundtrack release is a great presentation of that music.



The movie came out in the late seventies, and many of Goldsmith's contemporaneous works (such as Omen, Star Trek, Alien) contain a heavy emphasis on synthesizers and/or exotic instrumentation. Here, the music is a much more traditional symphonic sound which, given the nature of the movie, is entirely appropriate. Traditional in this case does not mean boring however.



The soundtrack is dominated by the main theme, a driving yet sprightly piece of music. The piece itself is designed to emulate the rhythmic, driving train of the film's title. To get an idea of whether you will like this music, it is a good idea to listen to the sample of the first track, because it pops up throughout the recording in many forms. Goldsmith shows off his ability to adapt this music by having it return in many forms, evoking everything from a wry sitting-room accompaniment, to cat-burglar sneaking, to scenic travel across the English countryside.



Varese has given this a splendid release with some nice liner notes. The soundrack itself is a quick listen (barely over 35 minutes), but evokes enough good spirits to bring a smile to one's face. Highly recommended."