The Blue Max

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

The Blue Max is still the oldest dated score I own of Jerry Goldsmith and even at that time our master was offering quality in compensation for his earned buck. This score is simply another classic as The Sand Pebbles, Patton and other war scores of that time. Interesting to know is the fact that The Sand Pebbles was awarded with a nomination and The Blue Max wasn't. Still, this score offers enough thrills and most importantly another excellent main theme. Goldsmith was even a master at that time and this one belongs with all the others. The biggest asset but not directly immensely exciting are the two powerful action pieces 'The Attack' and 'Retreat', the second especially offers an impressive percussion drum march at the end. See it as this, Goldsmith fans will always enjoy a good classic and this one will be no exception. The main theme that starts the score builds towards its heroic conclusion in the first track and gets its best performance in the first minute of 'The Attack' or the reprise in 'Finale to Part 1'. This piece which contains some extraordinary heroic tones is simply stunning, it portrays Goldsmith's magic talent again. The other key mark is Goldsmith's variation in theme. He changes certain bars so that the main theme and the sub themes are linked together, making the listening experience only better. Especially the love theme is a nice result, though its quite soft and subdued.

The overall sound of the score is not bad and beats the moody underscore heard in Patton, especially 'The New Arrival', 'First Blood' and 'The Bridge' are nice examples of good music. Goldsmith doesn't portray his magic in each track and some can become a bit boring but they achieve their effect in the overall militaristic mood and impressive fitting edge of the score. The key success of The Blue Max is simply its overall combination with the heroic moments, love themes, militaristic drum marches and softer moody underscores. This combined with the excellent appropriate source music do add for an interesting overall effect. The Blue Max is merely a number in Goldsmith's career but listens effectively and approaches the movie with a fitting score. It can entertain the overall fan and it offers the exact potential of Goldsmith at that time. One negative point though is the rather average sound quality. It doesn't really bother but it is one of those scores that should get a treatment in sound quality or a re recording when they don't know what to re record. It is still worthy of your attention but it can always be better. The Blue Max isn't a score to ignore and the true fans of Goldsmith will find it a rather pleasing listen. And of course its always something to explore when your shelf is begging for another impressive war score.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Blue Max (Main Title) (2.24) Excellent Track

2. The New Arrival (1.23)

3. A Toast To Bruno (1.41)

4. First Blood (2.23)

5. First Victory (0.41)

6. The Captive (1.45)

7. The Victim (2.33)

8. The Cobra (1.39)

9. The Attack (6.29)

10. A Small Favor (0.57)

11. Love Theme (1.16)

12. The Rivals (0.26)

13. Finale To Part 1 (1.05) Excellent Track

14. Prelude To Part 2 (1.40) Excellent Track

15. Love Theme (0.55)

16. The Bridge (3.14) Excellent Track

17. Love Theme (1.34)

18. Retreat (7.36)

19. Stachel To Berlin (2.25)

20. Nothing Needed (0.41)

21. Kaeti Hans A Plan (3.30)

22. Stachel's Last Flight (1.58)

23. End Title (2.34) Excellent Track

24. Pour Le Merite * (2.15)

25. Presentiar March * (1.26)

26. Student Song Medley * (2.09)

27. Artist's Life * (1.00)

28. Gloria March * (0.21)

29. Deutschland Uber Alles * (0.48)

30. Watch On The Rhine * (1.44)

* Source Music

Total Length: 62.45

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===