Disco de Theatre of Tragedy: “Films of the Century”

Milan Records celebrates the history of popular cinema with a 2-CD anthology of the music that drove the most affectionately remembered films of the modern cinematic era. These indelible musical impressions come courtesy of the most renowned film score composers of our time - Maurice Jarre, Max Steiner, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Randy Edelman and Henry Mancini.

Released into two general categories, the album presents moments from films of "Love, Passion & Comedy", on disc one - gives us the most powerful classic love themes from "WEST SIDE STORY", "DR. ZHIVAGO" and "LOVE STORY", and features newer classics from "TITANIC", "THE TRUMAN SHOW", "UNCHAINED MELODY" and on the lighter side "A FISH CALLED WANDA", "BENNY & JOON" and one of the most familiar themes ever written "THE PINK PANTHER" from legendary icon Henry Mancini.

On disc two "ACTION, ADVENTURE & SUSPENSE", includes themes from Alfred Hitchcock's landmark films "NORTH BY NORTHWEST" and the absolutely unforgettable "PSYCHO" finale...then the greatest action hero of all time leads off with Monty Norman's "JAMES BOND THEME", and action cues from "BACKDRAFT" and "SPEED"...next up the Academy Award winning theme from "THE LAST EMPEROR" and "GETTYSBURG" main title, one of the best-selling score CD's of all time.

A must have for "movie-music" collectors and film buffs, including music lovers and anyone who really enjoys a little nostalgia now and then...thank you Milan for this trip down memory lane and the amazing legacy of 20th Century Cinema!

Total Time: Disc One 54:30 on 16 Tracks & Disc Two 52:30 on 15 Tracks...Milan Records 35925...(2000)

I bought this from Amazon many years ago (at least four or five years ago, I was about 13) and listened to it with every fibre of my obsessive-compulsive nature, repeatedly, over and over and over again. I bought it because it had a few tracks I desired, I kept it in my CD walkman because of the new favorites I found, I uploaded it to my iPod (when I acquired one) because it had become invaluable, I still listen to it occasionally because it is a pretty good collection, though none of the tracks original to the films. Viewed objectively, it's not a mediocre collection, but not a great one. The "Pink Panther" track doo-wop is just weird. But nonetheless, this collection is still deeply embedded in my consciousness, and I'm still learning to appreciate the film scores selected for it, despite obvious oversights in its selection.

This has some good selections but really doesn't have the best because it is so subjective. i certainly got bored with many of the pieces they selected in the group, while others had my foot stomping. i recommend getting the original stuff anyways.