"Schaffner & Goldsmith final outing...brilliant score"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 05/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Composer and conductor Jerry Goldsmith writes an epic score for this short-lived...once upon a time story. Again our favorite composer scores another "King Richard the Lionhearted" ~ this time there is a twist...our hero is a knight, Robert Nerra (Eric Stoltz) seeking King Richard (Neil Dickson), but on his way he encounters a group of orphans fleeing the Black Prince (Gabriel Byrne) who is most definitely our evil villian...will good triumph over evil, only our director Franklin J. Schaffner can turn the tables...with Jerry Goldsmith's outstanding score to guide him. Did I mention the stand outs ~ "CHILDREN IN BONDAGE", blending string, flute and percussion with the main theme, Goldsmith weaves an intricate cue within counterpoint melodies that builds for a triumphant brass crescendo, brillant five minute scoring ~ "THE LAKE", opening harp strings, followed by an electronic counter-melody, beautiful and haunting in texture, again the main theme comes slowly to the surface ~ "THE BANNER", brass, strings and percussion abound, as Goldsmith conjures up each theme simultaneously ~ "FINAL FLIGHT", typical Goldsmith, using each instrument to capacity, strings, brass, percussion and electronic underlying tempo of a beating clock..horns blast as strings run the scales ~ now for the windup and the closing credits with "KING RICHARD", blending each essential theme for a "happy ever after story".Great series from Varese Sarabande ~ Master Film Music and the Varese Sarabande CD Club ~ Robert Townson (executive producer), always there, the right place at the right time ~ Richard Kraft (executive producer), thank you gentlemen for this one-of-a-kind experience in film music ~ and of course our host...composer, conductor and producer, who made all of this possible for all you "film-score-buffs" out there ~ JERRY GOLDSMITH! Total Time: 63:03 on 15 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande VSD-5484 ~ (1987) **Special note: If you enjoyed this CD, why not try ~ "Medicine Man" (VSD-5350), "The 13th Warrior" (VSD-6038), "Total Recall:The Deluxe Edition" (302-066-197-2) and "Frontiers" (VSD-5871) ~ all Jerry Goldsmith and on the Varese Sarabande label ~ also look for my reviews on amazon.com"
If only the Blue Max recording sounded this good...
Jason Pratt | Dyer, TN United States | 08/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An important early Jerry Goldsmith score. Quite as well written and produced as anything he has done recently; and a great bonus for American fans who, having not had the chance to see this (somewhat out-of-date) Canadian film, wish to expand their library of Goldsmith music."