"Never has a score had more energy and "life" in its compositions than that of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, composed by Patrick Doyle. His use of many instruments at once to create a feeling of hurried tension is astounding, and, combined with the nonstop moving of the camera, keeps the action moving. The ever-present love theme, which is based on Byron's "So we'll go no more a roving" poem, is heard in its entire in track twenty-one, entitled "The Wedding Night." This, above all others, will sweep you into the true emotional power of the film, allowing you to experience the feelings of the characters as well as the horror of the story itself. While some tracks called for a smaller orchestra, others, such as "Elizabeth" and "The Montser" required a full assembly. Totally moving and very forceful, this is a must for any soundtrack buff's collection, as well as fans of the 1994 film."
The wonderful music to the movie directed by Kenneth Braugh!
Aaron Amos | 08/20/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Buy this CD if you like the movie and the beautiful time period it takes p[ace in!I love the whole and I am working on buying the movie on DVD!!It'a beautiful score for a haunting movie based on the novel of the same name!"
Big and Majestic
North Idaho Dad | 11/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Patrick Doyle is one of the most overlooked film composers working today. He regularly produces music of such majesty and breadth, such as this 1994 score for the Kenneth Branagh film. As with any great film score, the music works well both on-screen and as a stand-alone piece."
Sweeping dread and sorrow
David Haas | Portland, OR | 09/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A quote from the Bible used in the film is "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowlege increases sorrow."
That sentiment is carried through very nicely through the film, and the pieces of Patrick Doyle's score echo it beautifully as well. The energy, the dread, the passion and pathos that infuse this music are at times stunning.
And there's a pulse to some pieces of the score, too, like hearing a man marching up a gallows of his own construction. Musically this suggests that the advances of time and scientific understanding are inevitable, but that the price for meeting and facing them will be terrible.
The creature represents the danger man risks by venturing into the alluring unknown, and like a phantom in Arctic mists, the score brings that sense to us with great success."
Haunting And Thrilling Score Matches Up With Spectacular Vis
HAMLET | 01/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After viewing "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," (see my review on it), I was eager to own the soundtrack to the most faithful film version of the classic horror novel by Mary Shelley. Read on.
I LOVED IT!!! EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS THE MOVIE!! Amazing to hear how the music exactly matched the wonderful visuals on screen. It's like seeing the movie in your head while listening to the soundtrack. Makes you want to see the movie over and over. I even found myself acting out the dramatic parts according to the score. Patrick Doyle, Branagh's film composer since "Henry V," his film debut, does a wonderful job of orchestrating pieces of music to match up with the excellent images you see in the movie. Kenneth Branagh is equally talented and proved his inimitable mastery a hundredfold as director, producer, screenwriter and star with this faithful adaptation of the novel. Rated E for Easy Listening."