Jul 20 2011
Ten of Hans Zimmer’s Best Tracks from Classic Films
Well after posting that movie music video yesterday, I’ve been listening to Hans Zimmer’s “Time” on repeat for most of the day, and that inspired me to do this post, a tribute to the composer’s amazing work.
He’s probably my second favorite movie composer after Clint Mansell, who already got his own post in the past, and his roster of past projects is extremely impressive. He’s worked with legendary directors on a host of classic films, and below I’ve pulled some of my favorite tracks from those movies that I think best represent his talent and diversity.
This means everything from Maximus to Batman to Ethan Hunt to Simba, and he’s sure to keep scoring incredible films in Hollywood for years to come. Hit the jump to see the absolute best of Hans Zimmer.
Time (Inception)
Chevaliers de Sangreal (The Da Vinci Code)
Injection (Mission Impossible 2)
A Small Measure of Peace (The Last Samurai)
Now We Are Free (Gladiator)
One Day (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End)
Why So Serious? (The Dark Knight)
Tennessee (Pearl Harbor)
This Land (The Lion King)
Main Theme (Black Hawk Down)
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too bad you only include classic films. His Crysis 2 awesome soundtrack was the bomb!
Chevaliers de Sangreal is my favorite Zimmer Track but I loved the version from the Film Angels and Demons so much more. The violin and the sheer scale the piece gets is breath taking.
@ben: He only did the main theme for Crysis 2 and MW2.
Either way, the exclusion of 160 BPM from Angels & Demons, Davey Jones from Dead Man’s Chest, and the entire King Arthur soundtrack is rather disappointing.
Now We Are Free is an odd choice as well, given how much of an impact The Battle has had on modern cinematic music (the themes for Transformers, Pirates, and a few other films were based off that one track). I would definitely not argue with that choice, however.
Kudos for using stuff from his lesser known ventures like Lion King (his only Oscar and so few people know he did it) and Last Samurai.
Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer are my two favourite movie music composers by far! their scores are so immersive
So glad you included the Black Hawk Down theme – it’s one of my favourite pieces of music.
I love Zimmer… I agree with Josh that its disappointing nothing from the King Arthur soundtrack was included here.
As much as I like that piece from Black Hawk Down, and even though it’s on the soundtrack, that piece wasn’t written by Zimmer. It’s called Gortoz A Ran – J’attends and it was written by Lisa Gerrard and Denez Prigent. It’s still a good a song though and I do love the rest of that soundtrack as well. Good list otherwise, though I agree with Josh that the exclusion of 160 BPM from Angels and Demons is disappointing as it’s probably my favourite Zimmer track from the last few years.
Nothing from The Rock or Crimson Tide? Those two movies introduced me to Zimmer. Honorable mention for the Peacemaker?
I am glad you featured Hans Zimmer, but I feel you left off two of his best: The Rock and Crimson Tide. If you are wanting a good album to drive to, you would be hard pressed to find a better one than The Rock soundtrack. I used to play this on drives from college back home and it mad the drive bearable.
The Da Vinci Code? Classic? I’d beg to differ.
I would of included “Journey to the Line” from Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line.”
It’s by far the best war films ever made, with a haunting score to boot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFZSnz9J3s&feature=related
When I was a kid, I loved the shit outta Top Gun (still do). My mother did this thing where when she would tape 2 movies on one video cassette, she would make it either sequels, or 2 movies starring the same actor (First 2 Indy films, Superman 1 and 2, Blind Date and Die Hard, etc..) The Top Gun video tape had “Rain Man” on before it. Now, I never cared for it as a kid, but I LOVED the music. So, whenever I would watch Top Gun, I would ALWAYS rewind a little further so I could watch the credits to Rain Man just to hear the music.
Seeing the Rain Man theme not make your list makes my 6 year old self very sad.
Zimmer has done some outstanding work, to be sure, but I feel any list of Zimmer’s music with Gladiator on it needs that entry asterisked. Wasn’t his Gladiator work (as opposed to Lisa Gerrard’s) basically just Holst’s Planets Suite with a bit of tweaking?
No Crimson Tide? I’m disgusted.
I always forget he did the soundtrack for the Last Samurai. The soundtrack helped make that film what it is! Plus it is one of Tom Cruises best roles to date.
I especially loved the Jablonsky Variations of a Theme by Hans Zimmer – Cameroon Border Post. The piece begins at about 7 minutes in this video, but a search for the title will bring you to just the track itself.
In Tears of the Sun, a Navy Seal lieutenant makes a decision to go above and beyond the call of duty. A plot summary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tears_of_the_Sun) or movie rental really helps set the scene. The string section really highlights the the sense of desperation that both soldier and refugee experience in the film.
Paired with the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fAr9PNMPDw
Just the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD8WXxO11wU
I do love me some Zimmer.
OMG, The Last Samurai, love that movie, and that song!!!!
Great stuff, more posts like this would be nice
Excellent selection!
Great selection. Most of these OSTs are on my iPhone, but I’ll see your Hans Zimmer and raise you with John Williams http://www.thebetanews.com/i-see-your-hans-zimmer-and-raise-you-with-john-williams/
How can you not have anything from True Romance …
I listened to the four first songs and not one of them left an impression.
Danny Elfman and John Williams is where it’s at.
Dear Korky,
I’m not sure how to reply to that; most jokes about checking one’s pulse to make sure the soul is still present in the body have already been done. The soundtrack to Inception is an amazing accomplishment; it’s blend of driving cadences, emotional impact, and simplicity leave one enthralled and heartbroken.
For Gladiator, “The Battle” is the best war soundtrack and is solely Hans Zimmer’s work.
love hans zimmer, as I do john williams. love me some james horner as well.
but one you guys have overlooked is Randy Edelman.
Listen to Dragon – Bruce Lee Story main theme (amazing)
Dragonheart – world of the heart (theme)
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves – main title and Maid Marian
and c’mon guys…james horner…….BRAVEHEART……the theme… for the love of a princess…… *swoons* haha
Here is my list: http://tiny.cc/ptyus there are a couple other ones in there most might overlook.
For example–the theme from The Rock is awesome….but “Jade” when sean connery meets his daughter…. incredibly beautiful melody.
I remembered a couple that I liked a lot looking at the comments — for example Tears of the Sun.
I somehow feel like the movie Blood Diamond should have had a better soundtrack…for such a good movie. I don’t remember it being anything special whatsoever.