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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
While director Steven Spielberg has sometimes termed his blockbuster hit E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial a loose sequel to his similarly themed Close Encounters of the Third Kind, that notion only underscores the breadth of John Williams' talents as a composer and tempts the listener to consider this score a sort of second, more nakedly emotional movement to his Close Encounters music. As in his epic Star Wars work, the musical touchstone is early 20th-century Russian romanticism, a link that becomes even clearer with the restoration of three fragile, largely atmospheric cues ("Main Titles", "Meeting E.T." and "E.T.'s New Home"). While Williams has often suffered odd accusations of emotional manipulation--which is, after all, precisely the job of a film composer--his E.T. music is still some of his most compelling, recalling Herrmann's delicate, pastoral touch on The Magnificent Ambersons in its first half, then steadily ratcheting up the tension as the score's insistent brass motif intrudes ever more ominously. Two decades later, the 15-minute sweep of "Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye" remains one of Williams most powerful and memorable film music achievements. This edition also features an illustrated booklet with a new interview with the composer.--Jerry McCulley
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Musically, this is undoubtedly one of William's finest achievements. a huge expansive, almost operatic work, which sweeps from beatifully delicate melodies in the violins and flutes to thunderous ostinatos coming from the bass brass and strings. piano sonata melts into full orchestra crescendo stirring genuine excitement in the listener. no amount of description can convey the incredible emotional impact this music creates. of course there are the hugely famouse themes which bring a sense of undeniable satisfaction when you hear them brewing. you sense the orchestra about to swell into the sweeping melody called 'Flying' on the original album, or the gentle 'over the moon' which appears subtlely and im sure is capable of "taking a tear forming in your eye and causing it to drop" (Steven Spielberg on Schindlers List). but the significant thing about this album that sets it apart from the original soundtrack album, other than being the actual soundtrack recording, not a re-recording, is the numerous darker selections that often get forgotten about. ET is more than 'Flying'! there is a large amount of much darker, brooding, sometimes sinister, and very dramatic music on this album that was simply left out of the original. As is often the case with this man, the music on this disc is more profound than the film it was written for (which was never-the-less a fine film). such diversity of musical styles is what sets this score, and this composer on a higher plain. for my money hes a cut above the rest. i guess the point is, this is a simply brilliant, moving, stirring, touching, exciting, thrilling (insert own selection of additional very admiring adjectives) piece of music. whether your a fan of williams, of film scores, or of superb music, i suggest you buy this album. (oh, and listen to it.)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
No real Soundtrack fan can afford to be without this 20th Anniversary edition of this fantastic score.
For me this is John Williams at his very best.
I can say that, without question, the last 6-7 minutes of track 20 ("Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye")has the very best section of film music in it that I have ever heard.
This is the definitive movie score - it complements the action on the screen and listening to the music takes you through ever conceivable human emotion - fear, curiosity, wonder, love, hate, sadness etc...until you finally reach the uplifting finale.
Simply Wonderful!!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a above, there is a serious injustice in this world because this is not flying off the shelves!! Well i suppose people are just missing out on how great this soundtrack actually is! This is, in my humble opinion, Williams best soundtrack!
Now im not an expert on music, far from it, so I cant go into all the musical terms that so many other reviewers do! But this is just superb stuff, nothing less! Its worth buying just for the final track (about 15mins long and absolutely stunning)! It will bring back all those memories of the film and fill with all the emotions of it too, from when E.T and Elliot first fly at halloween to the tear inducing last moments! Every time I listen to it, I cant help being filled with the excitment from the film! It is truely magical and only Williams can pull that off!
You will be humming the E.T. theme for ages after listening to this, maybe to the point where you can't sleep at night because it keeps going through your head!! This has happened to me countless times!
Words can not do this soundtrack justice nor can the many awards it has won (incl. an oscar in 1982), you just have to listen to it to fully appreciate it!
5 stars cannot fully justify this amazing piece of work!
John Williams, I salute you!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ET Soundtrack
Takes me back to being a teenager. Loved the soundtrack then, which I had on cassette, now it's even better.
Published 7 days ago by Mr Mark Teale
Magical
A truly excellent piece of work, enjoyed it from start to finish. The score fills you with the same emotions as of the film, proof that it is in fact the music that can often make... Read more
Published 21 months ago by PJ1978
Extraordinary, Timeless
It is such a big film that I doubt anyone has not seen it, but...if imagine you have never seen the film then this would be one of the best classical recording ever. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2007 by The Kinniburgh Kid
Clarity beyond belief
This score goes beyond words. Only hearing this can you truly understand why it is considered the greatest score of all time. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2002 by The Wizard of Oz
Very Soothing, pleasent music
I brougth this as an LP when I was younger and the film had just been released. As with most things you have as a kid it got lost - but I am buying it again now. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2000
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