The Patriot

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

With each year there is a new anticipated score of maestro John Williams. But it seemed that 2000 wouldn't offer a score and chances were high that David Arnold would compose The Patriot. But Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin wanted something else and John Williams was prepared to score the movie. It became another part of the old fashioned sound that Williams has scored so many times, but the difference lies that The Patriot doesn't offer the complete Williams magic and several variations were found along the way. This isn't bad, on the contrary its good but nothing utterly Williams as we would find in so much of his other classic scores. What this score offers, like the recent soundtracks are concert arrangements of the main theme at the begin and end, and these are exactly the pure highlights of the score. Both feature wonderful violin and cello performances and a tribute and patriotic old fashioned Williams all the way through. These versions of the main theme are found during the entire score but never so developed or equally strong, their best performances are found during 'Preparing for Battle' and a beautiful romance theme combines the next track 'Ann and Gabriel'. But where those riveting action cues would certainly be welcome, there lies the difference. Where other classic action pieces of Williams would stir the house, there is that underscoring nature and background feel to it that rules the scene but not the soundtrack.

The best example is when Gabriel fights Tavington, this piece of Williams fitted so well during that scene but not when you simply listen to it separately. I also thought that this score wouldn't work at all during the movie, I was then also very surprised when I saw the movie and found out that this score really did work. And this resulted in a lesser attempt on disc. This is the ultimate weakness of the score. Still, other composers could never compose such a piece of art when compared as its effectiveness during the film. John Williams did indeed score a nice score but this emotion or this pure power is missing. A perfect example is 'Redcoats at the Farm and the Death of Thomas', this works all the way but misses that emotion when you hear it on disc. I feel that Williams thought that Gibson and the other actors stirred so much emotions simply through their acting that an emotional score wouldn't be perfect, in a way I can understand this. Also, I heard some variations on other Williams classic such as Jaws and Born on the Fourth of July in 'Martin vs. Tavington'. When you look at it, it remains a very solid and attractive score with its highlights but nothing that moved me or inspired me when the score was over. This is a disappointment because if there was one genre that Williams can score, it is this one. The Patriot is solid Williams stuff and the fans will love the result, but it doesn't come close to the ultimate list that Williams produced during the 70', 80' and early 90'.

\ЕЕЕ1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Patriot * (6.39) Excellent Track

2. The Family Farm (3.04)

3. To Charleston (2.15)

4. The Colonial Cause (3.15)

5. Redcoats At The Farm And The Death Of Thomas (4.59)

6. Ann Recruits The Parishoners (3.08)

7. Preparing For Battle (5.50) Excellent Track

8. Ann And Gabriel (4.35) Excellent Track

9. The First Ambush And Remembering The Wilderness (4.00)

10. Tavington's Trap (4.10)

11. The Burning Of The Plantation (4.55)

12. Facing The British Lines (3.05)

13. The Parish Church Aflame (3.03)

14. Susan Speaks (3.16)

15. Martin Vs. Tavington (3.06)

16. Yorktown And The Return Home (5.20)

17. The Patriot (Reprise) * (7.50) Excellent Track

* Violin Solos by Mark O' Connor

Total Length: 72.40

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

=== Link to Composer Site: John Williams ===