Breakheart Pass
Jerry Goldsmith
" Welcome on board, destination grittiness "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Charles Bronson plays outlaw John Deakin on a train headed for Breakheart Pass. On board nothing is what it seems and at the end it all comes down to a big showdown. Director of this film is Tom Gries, and he thought it was only fair he would hire Jerry Goldsmith again for the music. After all the great Jerry Goldsmith was not only then one of the top composers of the business, but also the same composer that scored Gries' previous movies 100 Rifles and QB VII. And listening back to those scores (hell listening to every single Goldsmith score), it was evident no one was better placed than Jerry Goldsmith. He was the architect that fueled the action, created the atmosphere and made Breakheart Pass exactly what it needed to do. Push the experience towards the inevitable climax.
Yet luckily, Goldsmith doesn't wait long to get things started. The train has barely begun to ride and there we have 'Breakheart Pass - Main Title", a thrilling propulsive main theme that does what filmmusic doesn't do anymore, set the experience on fire. The guitar rhythms and the trumpet blasting sells the theme, and it's indeed a winner of Goldsmith's repertoire, perfect for the picture and spot on for the listening experience. What's spot on as well is the pace that Goldsmith gives to the character 'the train' itself. Kicking things into motion in "Free Ride / Hot Stove", slowing things down considerably in "Medical Supplies" before it moves into second gear at the end (3.20). Furthermore, going up a notch in the suspenseful "On the Move / Runaway" and in the suspenseful second part of "The Casket / Box Car Fight". Eventually it excels the experience in "Here They Come Part 1", but "Last Battle" sadly doesn't fully unleash the intensity of the development, which kinda makes it a tiny disappointment.
Luckily the theme shines through a solo trumpet performance in "Reunited / Breakheart Pass - End Credits", a sole moment for optimism.
Because Breakheart Pass is actually pretty dark and tense, perfectly explaining that not everything is what it seems. The theme goes through all kinds of variations, lighter, darker, moodier. You name it, Goldsmith delivers them all. And what Goldsmith also delivers is another electronic enhancement that this time doesn't do the score (at least the time) justice ("No Word Yet", "Make Up Your Mind / Leaving the Fort" and "Here They Come Part II").
But as said what we find in most compartments is the uneasy grittiness and mood. Breakheart Pass is downright catchy when Goldsmith starts playing with his main theme, because it truly sets the score on fire. But take that away and you'll discover how dark Breakheart Pass truly is. So this is not for the mainstream fan who believes greatness needs to come from every single score. However in effectiveness Breakheart Pass is great, and in its theme its beyond awesome. This Kritzerland release offers the same sound quality as the sold out La-La Land release, but adds a cue that was partly presented on the original release. Anyway, for Goldsmith enthusiasts, the theme is everything you need to get excited about. The rest will work better in the film.
Favorite Moment - Breakheart Pass - Main Title (0.01 - 2.36)
There is simply no denying, the theme is the best seller of the disc
Track Listing
1. Breakheart Pass – Main Title (2.36) Excellent track
2. Free Ride / Hot Stove (5.04)
3. Medical Supplies (4.01)
4. The Trestle (2.58)
5. On the Move / Runaway (2.50)
6. No Word Yet (1.01)
7. Night Watch / Help Yourself (5.42)
8. Who Are You? (0.46)
9. The Casket / Box Car Fight (7.16)
10. Make Up Your Mind / Leaving the Fort (1.29)
11. A New Friend (1.50)
12. Here They Come Part I (1.02)
13. Here They Come Part II (1.28)
14. Raiding Party (3.58)
15. No Entry (1.33)
16. Last Battle (2.11)
17. Reunited / Breakheart Pass – End Credits (4.11)
Bonus Tracks
18. Here They Come (film version) (2.40)
19. Four Styles (0.11)
20. End Credits (alternate mix) (2.16)
Total Length: 55.03
Yet luckily, Goldsmith doesn't wait long to get things started. The train has barely begun to ride and there we have 'Breakheart Pass - Main Title", a thrilling propulsive main theme that does what filmmusic doesn't do anymore, set the experience on fire. The guitar rhythms and the trumpet blasting sells the theme, and it's indeed a winner of Goldsmith's repertoire, perfect for the picture and spot on for the listening experience. What's spot on as well is the pace that Goldsmith gives to the character 'the train' itself. Kicking things into motion in "Free Ride / Hot Stove", slowing things down considerably in "Medical Supplies" before it moves into second gear at the end (3.20). Furthermore, going up a notch in the suspenseful "On the Move / Runaway" and in the suspenseful second part of "The Casket / Box Car Fight". Eventually it excels the experience in "Here They Come Part 1", but "Last Battle" sadly doesn't fully unleash the intensity of the development, which kinda makes it a tiny disappointment.
Luckily the theme shines through a solo trumpet performance in "Reunited / Breakheart Pass - End Credits", a sole moment for optimism.
Because Breakheart Pass is actually pretty dark and tense, perfectly explaining that not everything is what it seems. The theme goes through all kinds of variations, lighter, darker, moodier. You name it, Goldsmith delivers them all. And what Goldsmith also delivers is another electronic enhancement that this time doesn't do the score (at least the time) justice ("No Word Yet", "Make Up Your Mind / Leaving the Fort" and "Here They Come Part II").
But as said what we find in most compartments is the uneasy grittiness and mood. Breakheart Pass is downright catchy when Goldsmith starts playing with his main theme, because it truly sets the score on fire. But take that away and you'll discover how dark Breakheart Pass truly is. So this is not for the mainstream fan who believes greatness needs to come from every single score. However in effectiveness Breakheart Pass is great, and in its theme its beyond awesome. This Kritzerland release offers the same sound quality as the sold out La-La Land release, but adds a cue that was partly presented on the original release. Anyway, for Goldsmith enthusiasts, the theme is everything you need to get excited about. The rest will work better in the film.
Favorite Moment - Breakheart Pass - Main Title (0.01 - 2.36)
There is simply no denying, the theme is the best seller of the disc
Track Listing
1. Breakheart Pass – Main Title (2.36) Excellent track
2. Free Ride / Hot Stove (5.04)
3. Medical Supplies (4.01)
4. The Trestle (2.58)
5. On the Move / Runaway (2.50)
6. No Word Yet (1.01)
7. Night Watch / Help Yourself (5.42)
8. Who Are You? (0.46)
9. The Casket / Box Car Fight (7.16)
10. Make Up Your Mind / Leaving the Fort (1.29)
11. A New Friend (1.50)
12. Here They Come Part I (1.02)
13. Here They Come Part II (1.28)
14. Raiding Party (3.58)
15. No Entry (1.33)
16. Last Battle (2.11)
17. Reunited / Breakheart Pass – End Credits (4.11)
Bonus Tracks
18. Here They Come (film version) (2.40)
19. Four Styles (0.11)
20. End Credits (alternate mix) (2.16)
Total Length: 55.03