The Thin Red Line

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

This is one of the biggest surprises of 1998, The Thin Red Line was released at the same time along with Saving Private Ryan, and for some this is a far better score then Williams' Oscar nominated blockbuster. This score was also nominated for best dramatic score but both soundtracks fit with their own kind of movie. John Williams' Saving Private Ryan was more an ode to the tragic and a tribute to those who fought during World War II, this score is far deeper, packed with more emotion and has that mood that makes this a sure winner. I resemble the impact of the music a bit with Williams' Born on the Fourth of July, but missing the dissonant tones that made it less attractive. Zimmer's dazzling and gripping score is really a powerful piece in and outside of the movie. The approach of the movie is dark, very moody but it never becomes burdensome, just when you think it's becoming too far, it shifts forward to something uplifting, something that has more spirit and this is what saves this score. Zimmer doesn't use his synthesizers, maybe during some occasions but they are hardly heard. His wide use of instruments create a better feeling then ever imagined and the powerful sound sweeps you of your feet. The dramatic touch overwhelms your emotions and shows that Zimmer indeed goes for the heart of the score.

Every track is a highlight but some just stand out as pure gifts of God. The biggest highlight is undoubtedly 'Journey to the Line', used with great effect in the trailer of Pearl Harbor. It gently builds up until the theme explodes in full orchestral power, before ending with a soft and light feeling, but it is so utterly gorgeous. I would say that this track is simply the money worth of the score. 'Light' dominates of melodrama and fits with the style of the score, just when you think it's becoming too burdensome it changes of feeling and does let it sound more uplifting. 'Air' is maybe somewhat harder to appreciate but the feeling and the powerful mood it brings is more effective then the word itself, it grabs you by the throat and it doesn't let go. The tracks 'The Village' and 'Silence' all have a defying power and mood but the track that actually brings something brighter is 'God U Tekem Laef Blong Mi', a children's choir sings the same piece over and over again, but the power of the orchestra grows with each moment, before ending with a short but great hymn. The last track isn't actually that impressive but it brings a certain mood. All by all, The Thin Red Line is an impressive score. The feeling after listening to the score becomes stronger each time I hear it and it will do this every time. Zimmer brought a perfect, emotional and realistic poem that reflects the emotions and feelings of the characters and environment, making this one of the strongest scores of the year.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Coral Atoll (8.00)

2. The Lagoon (8.36)

3. Journey To The Line (9.21) Excellent Track

4. Light (7.19) Excellent Track

5. Beam * (3.44)

6. Air (2.21)

7. Stone In My Heart (4.28)

8. The Village (5.52) Excellent Track

9. Silence (5.05)

10. God U Tekem Laef Blong Mi (1.58) Excellent Track

11. Sit Back And Relax ** (2.06)

* Written by John Powell, featuring Francesco Lupica

** Written and performed by Francesco Lupica

Total Length: 58.56

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Hans Zimmer ===