Soundtrack Review: The Mission by Ennio Morricone (1986)
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This is a review of the motion picture score for The Mission by Ennio Morricone.
Ennio Morricone, what can you say? What a legend he is. This Italian composer has been entertaining us with music since ca. 1959 and he is not finished yet. He is nearly at 500 movies now, that’s probably about 450 hours with music give or take a few hours. The Mission from 1986 is of course probably his biggest commercial success so far and it’s still selling really well, week in, week out. I am not of Morricone’s greatest fans, but sometimes he gets it right, and this is one of those times. This is the track list of The Mission:
- On Earth As It Is In Heaven
- Falls
- Gabriel’s Oboe
- Ave Maria Guarani
- Brothers
- Carlotta
- Vita Nostra
- Climb
- Remorse
- Penance
- The Mission
- River
- Gabriel’s Oboe
- Te Deum Guarani
- Refusal
- Asuncion
- Alone
- Guarani
- The Sword
With its total play time of 48:31 and 19 tracks, some say it’s too short, and I agree. That is however a compliment to Mr. Morricone, because how on earth would anyone want this to end? I am listening to this score and ask myself: “Is this what they listen to in heaven?” It’s not a joke either. I’m not saying it because it has a certain “heavenly” sound over it, but because it’s that good. I’m sure I don’t have to prove it to most of you, as you’ve probably heard this score, at least the well known “Gabriel’s Oboe”. It is perhaps an overused piece of music that has been features on 397 different “moods” or “themes” albums. I think any “mood” album not featuring this cue is kidding themselves. I think this not only this piece, but the whole score defines beauty in the same way as Howard Shore’s “The Lord of the Rings” defines epic.
Ok, so people are familiar with “Gabriel’s Oboe”, but don’t forget that there are 18 other tracks on this score as well, and they are all beautiful. You might have heard “Falls” or at least the thematic ending of it, which you recognize immediately. I will put it in my preview and I can bet all of you are going “aaaah”, not only because you remember it, but because you are listening to beauty, to the very music that defines it. Of course if you love “Gabriel’s Oboe”, you know what to expect of this score. It is not like some scores who has a great main title theme or ending titles, but has 15+ mediocre ones. This is pure gold from start to finish. It is in my eyes one of the greatest scores of all times and need to be in any collection, even though you don’t like scores. Bottom line, if you like music, at all, then you’ll think this is the greatest thing since the greatest thing. Listen to The Mission by Ennio Morricone below:
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Comments
I love ‘Falls’ from that soundtrack, just a pity that it is so short. I know the main theme is picked up again in other songs, but I love the swell of the music in that track.
Kevin Grievess last blog post..The Fourth Carnival of Computer Help and Advice
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Ken: Hehe you would be right, I don’t agree. I know a lot of people love the Once Upon a Time in America score, but it’s not on my top 10 list unfortunately.
Kevin: I agree, it’s such a wonderful cue from a wonderful soundtrack.
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I have not heard this for A LONG TIME, so thanks indeed for another eye opening review, I should get this film again on DVD sometime, I do not remember it well at all.
Nick Plowmans last blog post..More Cannes News…
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I also have trouble remembering the film in detail. Might give it another viewing one of these days. For now I am more than happy with the soundtrack.
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Hi,
I saw this movie when I was in the highschool.
Being portuguese, the story of this movie is also related to the History of my country.
Unfortunately not always for the best reasons.
The score is indeed remarkable.
Kind regards,
José
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A good movie and a remarkable soundtrack indeed.
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No arguments here, and the sales chart on Amazon proves that it stands the test of time, deservedly so.
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Hi Val, haven’t heard that one yet. I’ll definitely put it on my list of soundtracks to listen to.
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I agree. A brilliant, stand-out soundtrack.
Bested, I think, by the wondrous Once Upon a Time in America score.
You’ll probably disagree… I like that
Ken Armstrongs last blog post..I Am (Not Really) Legend
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