The Second Soundtrack

I thought the *first* soundtrack spoiled me enough...

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Ever since the original soundtrack entranced me with is brilliance, I had been feverishly hoping they would release a second CD since there was still chunks of excellent music in the film which hadn't been released.   Well, here it is.  My dad bought this for me the day after it was released, much to my obvious delight. ;-)  It's now been two weeks since I first got it and I have just been listening to it CONSTANTLY...kinda like I did with the first one. :)

I also have to say that I was very apprehensive about the dialogue parts because I was eager to have the CD with just the music, and also the idea of having dialogue cut to completely different music sounded, at best, a little dodgy.  But what a pleasant surprise, I LIKED the way they did the dialogue to different music.  It's an amazing experience and gives you a whole different take on the scene.  To get different perspectives on things you have seen (well, heard) hundreds of times already is quite an achievement.

This soundtrack is much more bitty, and doesn't work as one body like the first one did, so each track doesn't always run seamlessly on to the next one.  It includes most of the music I wanted included in the first one but there are still a couple of sections I would have liked having such as the short but ominous cue where Commodus rides down to the battlefield and the music used at the 'party' after the battle.  I think what I like most is the fact that a lot of music not even in the film is included.  It's a great insight into the thought processes of the composers and how the film could have gone in the way of the music.  Hans Zimmer's footnotes are also fascinating.

The tracks are:

Track 1, Duduk of the North  - Ever since I got the first soundtrack I just loved saying the word 'duduk'.  I thought it was hilarious, so every time track 6 came on I drove everyone in the house crazy by running round squealing, "Ooooh, it's the duduk! *cackle*"  And now look, it has its own track! LOL  But I'm sorry to say, it isn't the duduk which is the best thing about this track, the prize has got to go to the wonderful guitar!   I love it I love it I love it!

Where in the film is it?
It isn't.  But it would make lovely Maximus/homey music dontcha think?

Favourite bits?
03:41 up to 04:25.  Oh!  there it is!!!! *deep sigh* Sooooo beautiful.

04:25 up to the end - Very powerful.  Love the peaceful ending with the little flourishes from the guitar.

Track 2, Now We Are Free (Juba Mix) - I'd loved this track ever since I'd heard the one minute sample from the Decca page, or whatever it is.  Hans and Lisa made the right decision though, it's far too happy to be used at the end.  The African sounds are very reminiscent of another of Hans' works, "The Lion King"  Which is good considering it's also one of my favourite soundtracks.  This one is great if you need cheering up.   Just don't think about the Max being dead part though. LOL  One handy hint - I know you've probably listened to the original Now We Are Free as many times as I have, but don't try and 'sing along' straight away you might end up with your knickers in a twist. ;-)

Where in the film is it?
It isn't.  But it could have been the final bit of music in the film.

Track 3, The Protector of Rome - Short but spine-tingling.  And don't forget, the VOICE!  Mmmm. "With all my heart, no." *sigh*

Where in the film is it?
As far as I can tell this music isn't but the dialogue snippet is of course from the scene where Marcus asks Max to be "The Protector of Rome."

Track 4, Homecoming  - This is just brilliant stuff.  Firstly it's probably my favourite bit from the film not included in the first CD.  And secondly, the dialogue fits SO well.  I thought it would ruin it but it's completely the opposite.  It kinda sums up every thing about Maximus.  The music in the background is of course when he has a vision of his wife and son and the Praetorians, and the guitar ostinato reinforces the image of Spain and his farm.  And the dialogue is from the infamous "My name is" scene where Max reveals himself to Commodus with the immortal words, "Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife..." Just brilliant!

Where in the film is it?
From the execution scene ("PRAETORIAN!") through to Max's frantic ride home and his horse falling on him (ouch). *sniffle*

Tracks 5, The General Who Became a Slave - Woo, we finally have cool Zucchabar music!  LOVE the way the beginning phases into the tribal Zucchabar bit with the addition of percussion (00:18).

Where in the film is it?
01:16 - Maximus enters Zucchabar with the rest of the slaves.  If you have the DVD you'll recognise everything from here onwards as being used in the Deleted Scenes montage.

Track 6, The Slave Who Became a Gladiator - Cool dialogue as always but I'm a little confoosed since the music is basically tracks 10 and 9 from the old soundtrack plastered together.  Hmm.

Where in the film is it?
Gladiator trials, tattoo-scraping, Proximo's "Ultimately we're all dead men" speech and the chain fight.

Track 7, Secrets - Very chilling and freaky in that Commodus way.

Where in the film is it?
Lucilla comforts Commodus as he mopes around pondering whether or not life is a dream...then he takes the initiative and squishes her on the bed.  Nice.

Track 8, The Might of Rome - I quite like this one.  It's very Lisa Gerrard-y.  That, I'm sure, sounds really REALLY obvious but this is coming from someone who also owns "The Insider" and "Duality". ;-)  It's full of hope and wonder for the future of Rome, I guess that's why I like it. 

Where in the film is it?
It's not.

Track 9, All That Remains - short and sweet, reminds me of the very opening of the film where the text appears and then the simple word, "GLADIATOR," materialises on to the cloudy gold/black background.  Oh, the memories...

Where in the film is it?
Possibly in the very beginning with the Dreamworks and Universal logos.   I don't think it's the same though but it's close enough.  Oh yeah, also when Max pulls out his sword which got stuck in the tree after the opening battle.

Track 10, Maximus - You already know I love the guitar, so having the 'Earth' theme played on it was very satisfying.

Where in the film is it?
It's not.

Tracks 11, Marrakesh Marketplace - My first reaction to this was, HMMmmmm.  My second reaction to it was: It sounds like something out of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.  Don't kill me!  LOL   Then I realised it was actually in the film *gasp* so it was no longer quite so pointless. *cough cough*

Where in the film is it?
If you listen really closely you can hear it in the scene with Gracchus and Gaius discussing "150 days of games" and also in the scene where Lucius talks to Maximus in his cell.  Actually, looking at the title, it would make more sense if it had been used when the slave trader was talking to Proximo at Zucchabar.  Hmmm, I think I tried that but couldn't hear it.  I bet it's there though.

Track 12, The Gladiator Waltz  - Oooooooh, eight juicy minutes of battle music!!!!  Woohoo!  And of course, the powerful words of General Maximus and one of my favourite movie lines ever: "What we do in life, echoes in eternity!"

Where in the film is it?
You'd probably automatically think of the opening battle and the barbarian horde scene, but a lot of this is what my Glad-pal Georgie dubbed as 'firestick music.' :D   It's a name that stuck for the music played in Maximus' doomed escape attempt at the end of the film, and he's running down the staircase with a torch... (firestick)   See? *G*

Favourite bits?
00:17 up to 00:58 - I'd follow you into battle any day, Maximus.

01:50 up to 02:26 - It's my fave 'horse-riding' music but extended a little at the end!  Still very very cool.

02:28 up to 03:13 - What a great build-up to what I call "ROMA VICTOR" music, hehe.  This is very very VERY cool, and I found it was fatal trying to hum along with it cos I got it completely wrong, LOL!   If you're wondering where this music is in the film, think Maximus in cell and Juba head-butt. Also, "We will wait here for you, Maximoose."  For God's sakes he is not a moose!

07:29 up to 07:38 - Dammit, it's only ten seconds long but in my opinion it's even better than the same bit in "The Battle."  Can you not just see Maximus whisking you around a ballroom to it?   It is a waltz of course. :)

Track 13, Figurines  - Another version of the 'Earth' theme.  Quite sad really.

Where in the film is it?
Not in the film, sorry.

Track 14, The Mob  - Sexeee.  You're probably thinking, "What the HELL is she on about this time?"  Well, I'm talking about newly leathered-up hard-as-nails Maximus.   Mmmm.  You can just get the sense of his disgust for 'the mob.'  But Maximus, I can't help it if I am very entertained!  Don't hate me! *BG*

Where in the film is it?
From Maximus sharpening his sword in Zucchhabar to the end of the fight.   "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?"  Yes actually, very.

Track 15, Busy Little Bee  - Lisa's voice is truly chilling in this one.  Sets the unsettled mood pefectly and conveys the image of Lucilla sneaking round in dark corners treading the oh-so-thin line between her brother and her former lover.

Where in the film is it?
It sounds like the music used when Lucilla looks for Lucius and is told that, "He's with the emperor, milady."  I always thought of it as some kind of Gregorian chant.  The dialogue is from cell scene numero 1. *drool*

Track 16, Death Smiles At Us All  - Ohhhhh Commodus and Maximus get all verbal-sparry, gotta love it.  One of my favourite scenes of the film.  Get chills every time Max says, "I think you've been afraid ALL. YOUR. LIFE."

Where in the film is it?
Opening bit sounds like "Strength and honour" music, and the rest is music which follows Commodus' command: "Have every senator followed."

Track 17, Not Yet  - This is soooo sad.  Lisa sings a low, slow rendition of the 'Earth' theme and Juba utters those final words. *sniff sniff*

Where in the film is it?
This music isn't but the dialogue is the last dialogue of the whole film, where Juba gets the last word.

Track 18, Now We Are Free (Maximus Mix)  - This is great.  I already had it cos I downloaded it off the Internet around the time the film was out, so I was already used to the strange image of Maximus boogeying on down on the arena floor. LOL!  Once you get past the initial shock of the pure sacrilege of dancing up "Now We Are Free" you just enjoy it for it's pure fun value.  Quite a good one to blast very loud!

Where in the film is it?
It's not thank God.  I mean, wouldn't you be a bit worried if it was? :D

Sooo, is it a worthy addition to the Gladiator soundtrack I'm sure we all already have?  In my opinion, Hell yes.  Go buy it!