Intrada Soundtrack Forum

INTRADA Announces:



THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS
Composed and Conducted by JERRY GOLDSMITH
INTRADA Special Collection Vol. 312

Epic, suspenseful,mysterious, seductive…
—Michael Douglas & Steve Reuther


The 1996 Paramount film The Ghost and the Darkness offered composer Jerry Goldsmith a rare opportunity to write a leitmotif-based score with a variety of themes, motifs and effects. His main theme is a proud, martial anthem that manages to convey Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson's love for Africa and his dedication to the task of building a bridge. Goldsmith further characterized Patterson's Irish origins with a rhythmic figure inspired by the traditional “Irish Washerwoman” jig. He also composed a hopeful theme for Patterson’s relationship with his wife and his yearning to see his newborn son. Goldsmith’s music for the predators blends African tribal percussion and vocals into the lion attack scenes, making them part of the landscape and culture of the continent. This just highlights a few of the themes and architecture of Goldsmith's complex score.

With this release, Intrada presents a 2-CD set featuring the complete score and alternates. Goldsmith’s complete music from The Ghost and the Darkness, as mixed for the finished picture, plays first on CD 1. It is followed by part 1 of the extras, beginning with alternate and unused mixes. Those continue on CD 2. Because most of the original album mixes are considerably different from their respective film versions and the alternates, and because “Lions Attack” has material composed just for the album, included is the original album program, including the five performances by The Worldbeaters under the supervision of George Acogny.

The film is based on a true story. In 1898, native workers on a British railroad project in the Tsavo region of Kenya came under attack from an almost supernatural force. Two man-eating lions terrorized the crew for the better part of a year. Patterson, the Scottish engineer in charge of building a bridge over the Tsavo River, engaged militia and professional hunters in numerous strategies to kill the beasts. Patterson himself finally brought down both of the predators in December 1898, putting several bullets in the last surviving lion as it confronted him in a tree. The lions’ bodies were later stuffed and mounted; they can be seen today at Chicago’s Field Museum.

INTRADA Special Collection Vol. 312
Retail Price: $29.99
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For track listing and sound samples, please visit
http://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.9585/.f

Ordered, of course.

This is one I've been waiting a while for. Thanks.

Ordered, along with Coneheads!

Is it the famous "90's Disney live action" that was announced earlier this year, even though it's not produced by Disney but the original album was released by Hollywood Records in 1996... ?

Amazing, wonderful, stunning release!

Thank you very much, Intrada!! You are the best!

This is probably my most anticipated expansion since The Shadow!

Excellent. Congratulations!

I hope the next expanded edition be THE MUMMY.

Thank you very much.

Auto-Buy! One of my favorite Goldsmith scores.

Did Disney even retain album rights for this? I did not see any mention of the company on the copyright section of the back cover. Just a geeky curiosity.

WOW! You guys wearn't kidding this really does bite.
Outstanding release.
Cannot wait to see/hear what you're going to do with Rambo: First blood part II

Wonderful looking release. Thank you all at Intrada for this thorough presentation of one of Jerry Goldsmith's finest. Can't wait to hear it all.

_________________
Jason Needs
Webmaster, Jerry Goldsmith Online

My copy arrived this evening, and I'm loving it.

The film mixes are fantastic.

My copy just arrived here in the UK and I've just finished my first listen of the entire set. I feel compelled to share my thoughts and feelings on it as I don't think a simple 'Wow' quite covers it. It's music like this that makes Jerry Goldsmith my favourite composer. I've always loved the judicious use of brass in his scores, particularly the French Horns, which can sound equal parts heroic and noble, warm and tender or downright threatening and scary, all of which can be heard in abundance in The Ghost and the Darkness. This coupled with the deep, textural, ethnic percussion creates a score that never fails to make a dramatic statement to me. It would be the same for many of Goldsmith's subsequent scores throughout the latter half of the 90s The Mummy, The Edge, Air Force One and The 13th Warrior.

That being said, for some reason I've never owned the score until now, but boy was it worth the wait to hear it like this! Aside from the obvious favourite cues on the score, one of the highlights for me was 'The Cave'. It's so creepy. That Spock/V'ger sounding motif really adds that mysterious, supernatural vibe to the Lions. Hearing both versions of 'Welcome to Tsavo' was great too. I really like the original version for it's gentler, understated approach, more relief that Patterson has made it through to seeing his family again and acknowledging the friends he has lost on the way. Then again, Goldsmith really does knock it out of the park with the film version ending, such an unreservedly triumphant finish that transitions beautifully into the end credits! This cue is undoubtedly up there with the greatest finale/end credits suites! Damn, we miss you Jerry.

I just want to extend a big thank you to all of you guys at Intrada for putting together yet another truly sumptuous presentation. The music sounds sublime on my stereo sound system and with all of those great alternates and the original album, I'm sure I'm one of many who feel consistently spoilt by you guys!

Thank You!