Last Castle, The (2001)

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The two songs are the only real lowdown of this CD, especially John Hammond's 'Get Behind The Mule'. So repetitive and boring. Personally I think this album would have worked better without the songs.

Despite A few Standouts-Castle Made Of Mostly Sand
The score to The Last Castle was the only musical effort from composer Jerry Goldsmith in 2001 It's a score that, despite the weaknesses of the film, manages to cause a few goosebumps-but just a few. The theme from the The Last Castle is simple and relies mostly on a horn solo that has shades of Goldsmith's work on the biopic about MacArthur. Most of the rest of the music stems from that theme. At times, the composer uses a lot of snare drum to heighten the film's patriotic tilt. Highlights include "Full Alert" and "The Count Down". Both of these tracks showcase the best use of "action" and "tension"cues in the score

Mention must be made of the fact that, the main title was reorchestrated as something of a tribute, to the folks who perished on September 11th 2001. This version can be heard on track 12 and is fleshed out as a concert suite. The inclusion of 2 vocals, Get Behind The Mule by John Hammond and Chiseled In Stone by Dean Hall, may serve the film. But for me don't add anything to the soundtrack because, quite frankly, they aren't very good songs. For me they only bring the CD down a notch.

Not a bad score by Goldsmith, certainly better than the film, but other than the highlights I mentioned--passable at best. The 13 tracks have combined running time of 43:06

Not the last of Goldsmith
Jerry Goldsmith is still one of the best composers around and his continuation in scoring even at his old age is quite impressive. The score to The Last Castle is equally impressive and a standard Goldsmith score. As director Rod Lurie said in the liner notes: "There was always just one choice. Just one: Jerry Goldsmith". As always with Goldsmith, there is a main theme and this one is a 24 note theme for the general in the film, played by veteran Malcolm McNab on trumpet. As Lurie says in the liner notes: "24 notes. All in C minor. 24 notes that have haunted me ever since. 24 notes that left me in tears. 24 notes that are a gift to soldiers; to sailors; to Americans. 24 notes that, I think, will help to cement Jerry Goldsmith as the maestro of our time." The action music is good as always with Goldsmith. "Hold Them" is full of tension, while "Taking Command" is an all out percussion filled action cue, with pulsating horns and trumpets. Goldsmith's trademark synth sounds are present throughout the score that were in Along Came A Spider, U.S. Marshals, and some of his Star Trek scores. Other solid action cues are "The Countdown", "Hold Them", and "Full Alert". "Irwin Arrives" and "The Rock Pile" contain relatively pleasant music with the trumpet theme, as well as in "The Flag", which really lets the music soar. Goldsmith also pays tribute to 9/11 with "September 11, 2001 - Theme from the Last Castle", which is provides the best rendition of the main theme with boldly played brass. 2 songs are also present, one which is good and the other can be skipped. "Get Behind the Mule" is a catchy blues tune by John Hammond that represents the prison life and "Chiseled In Stone" by Dean Hall is a decent track, but can pretty much be skipped. The score itself runs about 33 minutes and plays well throughout. This is not the last of Goldsmith and I hope he continues to keep scoring films. An all out good soundtrack.