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 - Brilliant!!! for what it is, that is...Morricone is simply brilliant, and it is never more obvious than here on The Mission. Derivative? Repetitive? Yes, and again, yes (see, that was derivative 'caused I stole from another review, and repetitive 'cause i answered... twice). But that's not only OK, it's almost required! And they told you, too, before you paid a penny! Go ahead, look- it's right there, hiding in plain sight. The rest of the class can wait quietly with their heads down on their desks. Waiting... "Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture"!!! Come on kids- it's a soundtrack from a film, and films are derivative, and repeat symbolism and, well, just come on! It's a soundtrack to a motion picture, and as such it is among the top soundtracks ever. Yes, and again, yes: it IS among the top soundtracks ever! Why? Simple- it does its job, and it does it well. Without its soundtrack "The Mission" wouldn't be nearly as great a film as it is; it amplifies the emotion and sentiment of each scene while acknowledging the environment and remembering the historical origins of the subject matter, and even seems to keep things moving along (in a film I've sometimes thought could have gone a bit long otherwise). More than anything else, though, the brilliance of this soundtrack strikes when you hear it years after last seeing "The Mission" and suddenly it hits like a flood- all the emotion, how overwhelming these men's obstacles were, how visually stunning the environment was and how graceful death can be... how horrific life can be... All these years later I hear "Gabriel's Oboe" and it just takes my breath away. It's a soundtrack to a motion picture, and as such it is nothing short of brilliance, and Morricone a genius. Rating: - Incredibly moving soundtrack - haunting, energetic, uniqueI agree that this is probably the very best movie soundtrack ever. Twenty years after I first heard it, I still love it. An amazing achievement that stands alone, but is even more moving after watching the movie. Rating: - SoundtrackI love this soundtrack but it came with a broken case even though I purchased it new. Rating: - Top 5 Movie Score EverEasily one of the top 5 movie scores of all time. The music haunts you - in a good way. If you do not have this score then this is a must. Being a huge fan of Ennio Morricone and his westerns, this easily is his crowning achievement. Rating:  - Musical MajestyI should say that I am partial to opera, which is essentially musical theatre. In my view it represents the pinnacle of the Western musical experience; easily the most demanding of musical forms. I suppose that's why I am also fond of scores written for movies and stage theatre and count Warren, Porter, Rodgers, Mancini, Williams, and Morricone as the supreme masters of the genre in the 20th century. "The Mission" score demonstrates Ennio's mastery of dramatic music, characterized by texture, depth, emotion, turmoil, innovative orchestration (even counterpoint), layered with beautiful and original melodies that would make Puccini proud. On the other hand, there was room in the movie for 1 or 2 more original pieces to go with Gabriel's Oboe, Ave Maria Guarani, Brothers, and the River. Nevertheless, the guy's a genius.
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