Amazon.co.uk Review
In 1978, between
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and
Superman, John Williams scored another, less well-known science-fiction film. With its combination of political conspiracy and stylish action featuring telekinetic teenagers waging bloody war against a secret government department, Brian DePalma's
The Fury anticipates
The X Files. It is as graceful a horror movie as ever has been made, and John Williams responded with music closer in tone to Bernard Herrmann's
Vertigo than the teenage horror films of the day. The main theme is an icy, clarinet lead waltz, which gives way to a delightful tune to describe Amy Irving's heroine. The remainder of the album develops a series of exceptionally well-crafted and imaginatively orchestrated action and suspense themes, occasionally augmented with chill electronics. A bonus track is the previously unreleased version of "Death On The Carousel", though this rejected cue lacks the shattering ferocious impact of the musically surreal original version, also included here.
The Fury is a superb John Williams score, revealing dark depths to the composer's music further explored in
Dracula,
The Empire Strikes Back and
Nixon. --
Gary S. Dalkin