Quentin Durward (Limited Edition CD Soundtrack)
Sound: B-
Music: B-
MGM was the first studio to jump on CinemaScope soon after
20th Century-Fox introduced it.
This included a set of “swords & Knights” films that included Ivanhoe
and Knights Of The Round Table, both with music by Miklos Rózsa. When they got to Quentin Durward in
1955, the studio decided to shoot it with cheaper EastmanColor versus
Technicolor, have less star power and had to find a new composer as Rózsa was
now busy with another project. The
answer was Bronislau Kaper, who delivered a different, yet befitting score.
Kaper essentially crossed the type of music from the genre
already established with the hype and speed of the type of music used in
then-still-produced Saturday Morning Serials.
These chapter-plays, known for their cliffhangers, loved to press the
audiences’ buttons and up the suspense and excitement. Usually, though, those series used recycled
music from other productions or little music recycled ad nauseum. Here, Kaper shows how such music can work if
there is much of it. Though we will
look at the actual film later, you can hear sound clips from the soundtrack at www.filmscoremonthly.com to get an
idea of what we mean if your computer can stream audio.
The PCM 2.0 Stereo comes from the original 35mm magnetic
stereo tracks, though the sound is dated and does not have the depth and detail
of even later simple stereo. It is
still nice and better than monophonic sound, especially of that time,
offered. This CD also comes with the
usually informative booklet the FSM label tends to include, adding rare stills
and posters. However, this CD is limited
to only 3,000 pressing, so if you want it, get it soon. It is among dozens of great exclusives they
offer and keep offering.
- Nicholas Sheffo
