The Promise
4-Feb-2007 -
 
An epic film with an epic score.
Warner Home Video has released the DVD of The Promise. This epic fantasy set in China's mythical past, is a visually stunning tale of passion that unfolds against a backdrop of war as a beautiful and mysterious princess becomes the object of affection for three very different men - a powerful Duke, a brave general and a lowly slave. As passions spark and egos clash, lives will be ruined and lovers spurned and no one will ever be the same.
The story.
An orphaned girl, driven by poverty at such a young age, makes a promise with an enchantress. In return for beauty and the admiration of every man, she will never be with the man she loves. This spell cannot be broken unless the impossible happens: snow falling in spring and the dead coming back to life. Now a grown and beautiful princess, she regrets her promise, for all of the men she's loved has always been met with tragedy. In love again with a man behind a red armor and a golden mask who rescues her from death, she is tormented by their inevitable parting. Meanwhile, Kunlun, the slave of a great general, is searching for the lost memories of a family he once had. Soon the fate of these two intertwine when the princess believes the general to be her hero, thus pulling him into this web of fate. What end will befallen our three characters? Are their fates already sealed by a higher power, or can they still choose a life they want?
The music.
After some less successfull synthesized scores, Badelt has returned to score another orchestral score in epic fashion. The music is wonderfully romantic, tragic, and powerful. The Promise is Badelt's most accomplished work to date, and should see him win over many new fans. It's exciting, bold and adventurous, bringing to mind previous efforts such as The Time Machine, Ned Kelly and K-19: The Widowmaker, while marking a distinct departure from all of these, as Kingdom of Heaven and The Chronicles of Narnia did for Harry Gregson-Williams. Pick up a copy of The Promise, listen to it carefully and critically, and see what most of us already knew - that Klaus Badelt is one of the most creative, musical, dedicated and hard-working film composers in the industry today.
Warner Home Video has released the DVD on December 19, 2006. It's available from Amazon.com.
The score is also available from Amazon.com.
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