A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

I suspect that not only have many of Bruce Broughton's fans not heard his score for The Old Man and the Sea, there will be a lot who will never have even heard of it, this despite it having been released on CD by Intrada (many years ago, admittedly).  A tv movie based on one of Hemingway's most popular novels, it starred Anthony Quinn as Santiago, the titular old man, a fisherman who battles for many days with a shark who tries to steal the biggest catch of his life.  Hemingway's larger-than-life adventures have often inspired great things from film composers - Dimitri Tiomkin scored the acclaimed original movie version of this tale, and of course there are other great scores like Bernard Herrmann's The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Jerry Goldsmith's Islands in the Stream.

Broughton's score is beautifully introspective, often ignoring the action/adventure elements of the story and concentrating instead on Santiago himself.  The opening theme is gorgeous.  Composed for guitar and small orchestra, it is a sprightly piece, oddly similar to his Disney theme park music "Seasons of the Vine", written a decade later.  "Santiago" has a lovely Latin feel, primarily due to the guitar of course, with another theme introduced.  There is such a lovely, laid-back feel to the music, but also when necessary a great orchestral colour - "Picking up Manolo" has the kind of descriptive writing found in the brilliant, aforementioned Islands in the Stream.

I mentioned that there wasn't all that much in the way of action music, but when it does come, Broughton does not shy away from painting a harsh, brutal picture.  "First Blood" is an incredibly violent and powerful piece, counterbalanced immediately by the stunningly beautiful "I Would Stay", which could tug at even the toughest of heart-strings.  The lengthy "The Fish Sounds" is another highlight, full of wonderful orchestral writing, particularly descriptive stuff.  It's a brilliant portrait of struggle, both emotional and physical.  "Second Attack" is (as you  may have guessed) the second major piece of action music and, while it is not as violent as the first, it is no less exciting, featuring a thunderous and particularly impressive workout for the Graunke Symhony Orchestra's brass section.

"A Tired Old Man" begins the final section of the score, featuring a lilting section before a brief burst of action.  "Santiago Returns" is a lengthy, wistful, melancholic piece and is arguably the score's standout cue.  Sumptuously beautiful, it showcases Broughton's wonderful ability at crafting great melody, and stands alongside anything he's written.  Warm and tender, it is enough to make the hairs on your neck stand on end - knockout stuff.  The whole score is a complete delight.  It may be a struggle to find, but no lover of film music could fail to be charmed by its beauty.  Essential.

Tracks

1. Main Title (2:09)
2. Santiago (1:41)
3. Picking up Manolo (1:21)
4. Angela and Santiago (1:51)
5. Santiago Sets Off (1:46)
6. Bonita (1:04)
7. The Fish (2:04)
8. The Couple (2:25)
9. First Blood (2:38)
10. I Would Stay (2:38)
11. The Fish Sounds (7:03)
12. Manolo in the Shack (:55)
13. The Shark (1:38)
14. Angela and Manolo (1:05)
15. Second Attack (3:27)
16. A Tired Old Man (3:04)
17. Santiago Returns (6:27)
18. What a Fish (1:12)
19. End Credits (1:15)