The Rocketeer: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

 (35 customer reviews)

I'm not kidding. Today I was watching the DVD of "The Rocketeer" (which I'd rented; the movie's terrific and should really have a special edition DVD, but I digress), and this music actually put a lump in my throat and made me all teary-eyed! The main theme, as orchestrated by Horner, is truly, without a doubt, one of the most MOVING pieces of music I have heard in my lifetime. There's something very "Americana" about the theme; although it sounds as if it's inspired by aviation pioneers like Howard Hughes, men who dreamed impossible, crazy dreams which actually worked, it quite literally sounds like the American Dream, interpreted musically. It's one of those classic pieces of music that can be used in a myriad of other purposes; it's quite similar in spirit to Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, John Williams' Olympic Fanfare, or Jerry Goldsmith's orchestration of the National Anthem as heard in "Poltergeist" -- it's THAT good. It has also...Read more

...the Rocketeer sure is one of them! When it comes to James Horner, his best scores are probably Willow, Glory, and The Rocketeer. It is sad that The Rocketeer isn't better known as a soundtrack to collectors, and it is often under rated. This soundtrack is a must for all soundtrack collectors, and should be respected as one of the better CDs out there. The main theme is a slow and gorgeous tune played with strings, before blending into a more swifter, flying music. The Flying Circus is my favrorite of the CD, beginning as a quick and tense song, yet giving you a clear picture of what's going on. Played primarily with brass, Horner takes this track from descending chords to the main theme played with strings then on to a really hillarious song, making you feel as if you are visiting the corn fields. The other big track of the CD, The Zeppelin, begins as brass and strings play up and down the scale, and continues on into a quite exciting song, always having a suprise around...Read more

This soundtrack is one of my continuing favorites. I tell you that for film scores, this one sets the bar pretty high. Since this soundtrack was released, I have personally used this one as the benchmark test for any new stereo equipment I have purchased. The spectrum of sound included, in the second track in particular, will test the speakers of a new sound system better than many test disks that I've seen. The sound is able to pull you into your mental review of the film more effectively than most other soundtracks out there, with certain exceptions of course. This soundtrack is overall that which many scores fail to be, a musical painting of the film, not just filler music. This is a memorable disk for a memorable film.