Soundtrack Review: Forgotten Ellis Island (2009)

Posted by Jorn Tillnes

March 3, 2009

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030309 2243 soundtrackr1 Soundtrack Review: Forgotten Ellis Island (2009) This is a review of the motion picture score to Forgotten Ellis Island by Gil Talmi.

“It is a most welcome addition to my score collection and 2009’s finest documentary effort so far”

Forgotten Ellis Island is a documentary which explores the medical wing of America’s most famous (and infamous) immigration depot. Though most Americans know the story of the island, the documentary seeks to go beyond the usual borders of history and talk about the island’s hospitals, which dealt with a wide variety of diseases as well as perceived mental illnesses. The score is written and composed by Gil Talmi who was once nominated for an Emmy for his score to 1991: A Year To Remember.

Track List

Arrival (*****)
Lullaby For America (****)
Another Day (***)
The Line (****)
Fear And Solitude (****)
Lullaby For America Op. 2 (****)
Every Day Forward (*****)
Building Ellis (****)
The Joys Of Youth (***)
Lullaby For America Op. 3 (****)
Arrival Op. 2 (****)
Times Forgotten (***)
As Darkness Falls (***)
Of A Different Kind (*****)
Lullaby For America Op. 4 (****)
Another Day Op. 2 (***)
Every Day Forward Op. 2 (*****)
Arrival Op. 3 (*****)
Lullaby For America Op. 5 (*****)

Orchestral Score

First of all, let me tell you that it is an orchestral score with heavy use of strings and piano. The theme of this documentary comes across well in Talmi’s orchestration. It is a slightly heavy or should I say serious score for the most part. Notable exceptions are ‘The Line’ and ‘Every Day Forward’. The main theme takes part in the various renditions of ‘Lullaby of America’. There are five in all, and although sounding different, they play on the same theme which I have to say is one of the highlights of the score.

Speaking of highlights, the first cue ‘Arrival‘ is a beautiful blend of western and ethnic music represented by a flute in this case. ‘Arrival Op. 2′ is playing on the same beautiful theme, but even though it has the same theme, there are enough differences in there to show through. It also has the ethnic flute and a little bit of voice in there. It could actually be the flute speaking to me, but it sounds very beautiful, very magical. While we are at it I have to mention ‘Arrival Op. 3′ which is more beautiful music by Gil Talmi. It is more somber, more minimalistic perhaps than nr. 1 and nr. 2 but it all adds up to one beautiful long theme.

‘Every Day Forward’ is an uplifting flighty cue which I really love and it comes at a right time because of the sadness I feel this score retains. ‘Every Day Forward Op 2′ is slightly more depressive, but it’s still one of my favorites. It has the same flighty fabric in its underscoring which I find most beautiful. ‘Of A Different Kind‘ is also a wonderful cue which has a unique theme to the Forgotten Ellis Island score. It is a nostalgic theme to me because it reminds me of something, but I can’t fathom what. It is perhaps my favorite because of that reason. This piano theme is stirringly beautiful and it conveys emotion right down into its core. The last cue is another one in the ‘Lullaby‘ series of cues. This one is called ‘Lullaby For America Op. 5′. I like the way it builds up from a very minimalistic theme into something more grand and beautiful on its own before it ends where it started.

Conclusion

I love documentary scores because they have to deal with reality. Often, like in the Forgotten Ellis Island soundtrack, it shows clearly through what the movie is about and how the composer did a great job carrying the mood of the film. It is a most welcome addition to my score collection and 2009’s finest documentary effort so far. The mix between the minimalistic and the grander themes work well and we are left with a beautiful sound that shows true emotion.