Ladyhawke Music Lovers Anonymous.
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Barrelbur — 19 years ago(January 27, 2007 11:29 AM)
(stands up apprehensively)
Me:
Hello. My name is my name is..
Group leader:
It's ok. We're all friends here.
Random group member #1:
Go on, you can do it!
Random group member #2:
Yes, just say it!
Me:
(triumphantly) My name is Barrelbur, and I love the music in Ladyhawke!
(Group cheers)
Seriously, I love every part of it including the "disco-medieval" (in the words of critic Pauline Kael). Being a music student, whenever I watch a movie I'm always listening to all the music, so in Ladyhawke I listen to every bit be it orchestral (which accounts for most of the score believe it or not), '80s synth (which is mainly used for chase sequences and sunset/moon scenes), or genuine medieval/mock medieval (as in the Bishop's courtyard lute music and the tavern music).
In movies there's the music that you're meant to consciously hear, and the music that you're only meant to hear subconsciously (which dispite going unnoticed can greatly enhance the emotion on screen). The "disco-medieval" music is of course very dominating and so is only really used in scenes without dialogue such as chase scenes, so your ears pay it their full attention and it stands out all the more. This is the music that you're meant to hear, and is unfortunately what most people don't like about the score. There is also of course the background (mainly orchestral) music which plays in scenes with dialogue, so if you're watching the movie passively, i.e. not attempting to study the music, then you probably won't notice this part of the score as much because your ears are mainly concentrating on the dialogue. This part of the score is what I love the most, and I don't think that even the most die-hard-Ladyhawke-score-haters have any problems with this part, but rather just the disco-medievalness.
I really like the tavern music. There's the genuine medieval piece that Phillipe and Isabeau dance to, but there's also a couple of what I think are mock-medieval pieces which I really like, such as the tune that plays in the background when Phillipe leaves the stable to steal some more clothes.
An interview with the composer, Andrew Powell:
http://sweetmeladyhawke.blogspot.com/2006/10/interview-with-andrew-powell.html -
Flight_of_Fantasy — 18 years ago(April 19, 2007 02:27 PM)
I haven't seen this movie in years, but I do like it. Don't remember the music, but I'll watch it again and get back to you.
Oh, and it sounds like the music, from your description, was kinda, rock-synth-pop, or something (sorry if I'm wrong), but if that is the music, and you like it, you should watch the American version of the 1985 movie Legend, by Ridley Scott, starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry. In the American version, the music was done by the German pop-rock band Tangerine Dream, and it is this kind of fantasy/new age/rock music, and it is extremely awesome! Many people panned it for not fitting with a fairy tale, but I love it. If you can, see the European version of Legend as well, with a classical score by Jerry Goldsmith. But just thought you might like the Tangerine Dream/American version of Legend (which is an amazing movie-has some of the most visually stunning scenes I have ever seen).
Anyway, I'll get my ass in gear and go rent Ladyhawke! I think my dad has it at his house, but he's in hospital. -
wavingdragon — 19 years ago(February 02, 2007 01:08 AM)
I am wavingdragon, and I love the music in Ladyhawke!
And I like Phillipe's character as well!
waving at you
me:
forums.spellholdstudios.net/uploads/av-2241.gif -
AZbookgal — 19 years ago(February 07, 2007 04:54 PM)
I had no idea there was such a controversy about the music for Ladyhawke! I love the movie & the soundtrack. In fact, it was the first soundtrack I ever purchased. Just the other day I was talking with a co-worker about favorite movies and we both mentioned Ladyhawke. She said she loves the movie, but HATES the music. I see that I am not alone in loving the music, and she is not alone in hating it.
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adagiomin — 19 years ago(February 25, 2007 12:53 AM)
I'm proud to say I've always loved the score to Ladyhawke and AZbookgal, I also bought the soundtrack. In fact, this score turned me on to Andrew Powell and The Alan Parsons Project. Started to collect their albums shortly after. And in 1985, the Project was no disco band. The music is electronica.
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SmallYeti — 19 years ago(February 19, 2007 08:54 AM)
Oh God, it's so hard but
My name is small yeti, I love the music in Ladyhawke. In fact worse, the movie holds such lovely memories for me (I used to watch it with my dog, who was a huge big black border collie who always watched over me and looked after me, sat in front of my parents big roaring open fire eating my mom's home made soup while the snow fell outside - yearly tradition) that now, if I hear the music it relaxes me beyond all belief, so much so that, when going for a bllod pressure test the other week and listening to the CD on the way down, the doctor commented on it!
I'm just so glad I am not alone anymore and there are others who suffer the same affliction! -
noodle1285 — 19 years ago(March 02, 2007 10:40 AM)
Hi, my name is Melanie, and I also love the LadyHawke soundtrack. I especially love the opening song as wellI think it's just called the main title. The music is really hard to findI think the soundtrack might be out of printI bought it used off of Amazon, but the venders there will charge you an arm and a leg for it.
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thecrashplace — 19 years ago(March 18, 2007 04:50 PM)
Hello, my name is DDL, and I liked the music fine. Still watching off a 20 year old VHS that has the movie taped off the TV, but besides some damage from magnets, it's in good condition, and it's easy to tell it's a brilliant movie.
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ultness — 19 years ago(March 28, 2007 01:14 PM)
I don't mind the music itself, the problem I have is that this music is used for a mid-evil movie. Its like playing smooth jazz for conan the barbarian it just does not fit.
Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women -
jetlag31 — 18 years ago(June 13, 2007 06:08 AM)
<
That was my thought when I first heard it back when the movie was first released.
That and the thunderousness of the music over the opening credits! (Those who have only ever watched the movie on DVD or VHS probably don't realise how deafening it sounded in a cinema's auditorium!)
And yet the music grows on you. These days the main title track of "Ladyhawke" is not only one of my favourites I cannot imagine the movie without it. -
terror_of_tempe — 18 years ago(June 19, 2007 12:52 AM)
I've decided that the opening credit music would be perfect for my life's theme song. Can you imagine walking through the grocery store, picking up an apple and all of a sudden this superawesome synthesizer starts up followed by the string section of the London Philharmonic?
Seriously, I need this music as my ringtone. Anyone know where I can get it? Right now I've got a fuzzy recording from holding the phone up to the TV whilst blasting the music. Sigh. -
teako170 — 19 years ago(April 02, 2007 03:43 PM)
My name is Spartacus and I think the music was.
TERRIBLE.
It truly detracted from the cinematic experience or simply made one aware that this was merely a fictional farce set in the 13th century created by disco influenced composers of the late 20th century.
All elements of a film should transport the viewer to a time, a place. Unfortunately the score stood out like a sore thumb, reminding us this was just Hollywood's idea of playing pretend.
THIRD MILLENNIUM entertainment
http://www.teako170.com
