Search - Various Artists :: Where Eagles Dare

Dare to own this CD

Kevin R. Austra | Delaware Valley, USA | 07/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally available on CD. WHERE EAGLES DARE was only previously available on CD for a short time during the infancy of CD music. Now this stirring soundtrack is available on CD once again. From beginning to end you enveloped in the original soundtrack. For those familiar with the movie, you cannot help but feel the cold of the movie's cable car sequence while listening to this soundtrack. The CD also contains some incidental "Bavarian" music as heard in the background during several scenes. The CD cover could be a little more exciting, but the CD itself is wonderful listening."

Outstanding!

John Dziadecki | Louisville, CO USA | 03/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a seminal score that deserves to be heard. Majestic, soaring, brooding, mysterious, pulsating and sometimes strident. It fits the film like a hand in glove and, remarkably, bears repeated listening on its own. Recently, the film was finally released on a very well done DVD in its original widescreen format and 5.1 digital surround. If you want a suspenceful action film, look no further. Let's face it, the film industry hasn't exactly stored its classic film scores, or films, with great care. This score is a rarity. The Chapter III recording has been out of print for years. It and previous releases are from a rerecording done for the original lp soundtrack release. In early 2004, Film Score Monthly released a limited edition 2CD set taken from the actual recordings for the film -- "remixed from 1/2" three-track safety tapes of the original six-track 35mm magnetic film masters". It sounds like it was freshly recorded with very fine sonics and a clarity remarkable in a recording over 30 years old. On the FSM release, "Where Eagles Dare" fills the first disc in its entirety -- 74 minutes. The second disc contains incidental music for the film and a couple alternate takes -- in addition to the score from "Operation Crossbow"! This 2CD set is accompanied by a 28 page booklet jam-packed with liner notes and illustrations. A top notch release. Those of you looking for this limited edition FSM-TCM-Rhino release are advised to visit the FSM website for this outstanding release. Highly, highly recommended!"

A Brilliant Non-Stop War Adventure Score

Robert Pollock | Durham, NC USA | 05/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The score for Where Eagles Dare was released a long time ago but was sadly put out of print. Finally, after years of waiting, it has been re-released. Ron Goodwin's score doesn't have any sweet nice romantic themes or funny out-place humor like John Williams. This score has much more maturity and more sense for the action in the movie. The main theme, which makes many variation appearances, greatly portrays the great risks and out-numbering odds against the characters during the movie but still has hints of heroics in it. The fugue variation sounds the best, though. It has a military feel to it and a sense of desparation. It sounds like a darker version of the Cage Fugue from Jaws, the military theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and a slight likeness to the military theme heard in the beginning of Stargate. In the whole score, Goodwin vividly describes the events. High shrill and creeping strings convey the dangers over ground, and blasts of the orchestra signify signs of danger looming. The best action tracks are the Main Title, Pursued By The Enemy (heard many times in the movie, particularly near the end), and Chase To The Airfield (has a nice display of the fugur variation). The rest of the tracks add suspense and shouldn't be skipped, for, unlike Crimson Tide, they don't move at a slow pace. I highly recommend this gem of a score. Once you listen to this score, you won't doubt why Ron Goodwin is considered the master of war scores and adventure. His work has surely influenced many a composer of today."