Memorable Score from Tennesee Williams' Best Film of the Sixties. by filmfactsman (April 27, 2006)
The 1964 M-G-M soundtrack features only five tracks from the film, the remaining five is listed as "other music inspired by the motion picture." Composer Benjamin Frankel ("Battle of the Bulge") does a splendid job in capturing the film's stark realism and emotional impact. Brief as it is, it's one of my favorite scores for a Tennessee Williams film. Especially good is the "Hannah and Shannon Theme", beautifully understated to effectively compliment one of the most moving scenes in the film. Also issued in 1964 was a "Limited Collector's Edition" Dramatic Highlights LP from the film with a wonderful commentary by the film's director, John Huston. I usually play that LP after I listen to the score. Soon to be released is the long-awaited DVD of the classic film with a running commentary by the late director (previously released on laser disc). If you're in the mood for a shattering film experience with some great performances by Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, Sue Lyon and Grayson Hall, add the DVD to your collection. Makes a great companion to Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (I recently caught both on a double-bill in L.A.). Powerful Sixties filmmaking.