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Friday, August 21, 2020

Tombstone (1993) // Main Score Theme

 
 
So… just so ya know, I am not an expert on film score composition and this post will not be full of deep intricacies or technical terms. I just love this piece so much and thought it deserves a good highlight during LOWC. ;) 
 
Also, this is not an unreserved endorsement of the film in its entirety -- we can discuss the historical accuracy another time, and content-wise it's definitely for mature audiences (personally I prefer to skip a couple moments/scenes); still, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and all the rest are dyed in the grain western legends and Tombstone is one masterful bit of storytelling.

~

The main theme in this film just thrills. It marches and swirls with raw power and enchanting grace, both strong, and keeping perfect step with each other. Gigantic and amazing and tear-inducing, it makes you want to get up and cheer and run a hundred miles. It completely blows away any mental cobwebs. You can hear the single minded focus. It's stirring and militant. And then there’s the pounding, soaring longing. 

~ 

Whether or not you enjoy the movie as a whole, IMHO this -- as the credits roll and they march into legend -- is one of the most epic moments in western film, and one of the most perfect combinations of filming and musical score you’ll ever see.  

WATCH THIS and tell me it ain’t so! ;) 

(P.S. Forgive the graininess, it’s the best I could find. :p)

11 comments:

  1. Caftan WomanAugust 21, 2020 at 12:38 PM

    I often find the desire to write about music but fear I lack the skill to convey precisely what I want to say. I think you described the Tombstone main theme perfectly and, most important, honestly.

    Bruce Broughton has a way of creating music that simply "gets to you." The music combined with the animation of Cody and the eagle Marahute flying in The Rescuers Down Under gives me a thrill no matter how many times I have seen it.

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    1. HeidiAugust 21, 2020 at 1:34 PM

      Caftan Woman,
      Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. :) And I'm glad you enjoy it too!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 21, 2020 at 12:55 PM

    Erm, you might want to check you post for evidence of a brain hiccup :D

    This is one of those movies that I sort of assume I've seen, but need to see again because I'm not sure.

    And I enjoyed listening/watching to the credit roll/main theme just now as you suggested, and it suggests that I should try and see this (again?) at the next opportunity...

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    1. HeidiAugust 21, 2020 at 1:25 PM

      VT Dorch(ester),
      Oh goodness! *face palm* I can't believe I did that. What's worse, I distinctly remember sitting there studying that sentence trying to figure out what was wrong with it. (Guess I'll blame it on writing posts late at night + all this wildfire smoke must be getting in my brain.) Thanks for mentioning it.

      I'm glad you enjoyed it and wanna give it a (re?)watch!

      Delete
    2. DKorenAugust 21, 2020 at 4:51 PM

      I have no love of this movie, but this is one of my favorite Bruce Broughton scores. I listen to it all the time (had just listened to it last night, how's that for good timing?). And yes, that last cue is absolutely perfect and wonderful.

      Delete
    3. HeidiAugust 25, 2020 at 5:41 PM

      DKoren,
      Well I guess it'd be a boring world if we all enjoyed exactly the same thing. I'm glad you love the score though. :) (And yes, talk about timing!)

      Delete
  3. AnonymousAugust 21, 2020 at 5:04 PM

    I felt for you when I saw the error. I did a face-palm on your behalf! Hope that's not presumptuous! :)
    I hope that your wildfire smoke situation improves soon, I know exactly what that's like.

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    1. HeidiAugust 25, 2020 at 5:46 PM

      VT Dorch(ester),
      Thank you! And it's quite something, isn't it? Ah, the edge-of-your-seat stuff that comes with living in this grand part of the world.

      Delete
  4. VTFebruary 6, 2021 at 11:40 AM

    Hi there! Coming back here to let you know that my little online movie club watched Tombstone as our movie-of-the-month in January, and one of our members said that they think it was the first time they've watched a western. They liked Tombstone, and during our discussions about Tombstone and westerns in general, they picked up on a recommendation for Johnny Guitar which they've also now watched and enjoyed.

    I picked Tombstone as our month's movie in part because of this blogging event, and it seems to have made a new western-watching convert. So thanks again! The ripples are still spreading :)

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    1. HeidiFebruary 8, 2021 at 11:23 AM

      VT,
      That's so great to hear -- thanks for letting me know! I'm already getting excited for this year's party (hopefully this summer), so keep an eye out for that. Here's to more great western events! :)

      Delete
  5. NickApril 24, 2024 at 12:23 PM

    I know it's been a couple of years but I feel the need to chime in. I almost hate to watch this film because the main theme insinuates itself into my brain and soul. It is the ultimate earworm and it takes weeks for me to rid myself of it. I literally rise in the morning and the melody is my first semiconscious thought of the day.
    If this theme, with it's power and grandeur and majesty doesn't move you, your soul needs a tune-up.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts and look forward to further confabulation. Please just be courteous to one and all. Oh, and I love thoughts on old posts, so comment away!

(Also of late -- what with time being finite, and Life Happening + managing multiple blogs and computer issues and all that -- I sometimes have to alternate between creating new content and replying to comments, but rest assured I'm thrilled to hear from each and every one of you and always hope to reply thoughtfully in full ASAP. <3)