When we watch movies, we tend only to focus on the plot and the actors. We may hear the music in the background, but we usually feel it is there by default and don’t pay much attention to it. I do this as well, but I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean the other day and I realized how good the score is. I decided that it would be fun to tell you all what my favorite movie scores are. It is important to make the distinction that soundtracks and scores are two different things. Scores are just musical pieces that are instrumental while soundtracks are a compilation of scores and original songs with lyrics. Here we are just focusing on the instrumentals.

My top five favorite movie and tv scores are Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (specifically) by Klaus Badelt, The Man in the High Castle (all four season’s scores) by Dominic Lewis, Band of Brothers by Michael Kamen, Star Wars by John Williams, and The Imitation Game by Alexandre Desplat.

A movie isn’t a movie unless it has music in it. The purpose of these instrumentals in the background is to give the movie emotion and impact. Imagine watching all the scenes where Captain Jack Sparrow does something epic without the classic theme “He’s A Pirate” in the background. It simply would not be the same. The music makes you feel like you are in the movie with the characters and are feeling what they are feeling in that moment.

Think about it, if a sad song comes on behind a sad scene in any movie, it will be easier for you to feel the emotion that the actor or actress is portraying in that moment through their character. This is how it feels with Pirates of the Caribbean and The Man in the High Castle especially as well as Band of Brothers. There is so much thrill and chaos in all three of these productions that the music alone can demonstrate.

The Star Wars score in itself is one of the greatest pieces of music to happen to the world. I have never met so many people who listen to any score from a movie more than the Star Wars score. Especially “The Imperial March” and “Anakin’s Theme.” This shows you the importance of having those symphonies and orchestras in the background. 

Similarly, The Imitation Game’s score is so beautiful and impactful. For those who don’t know, this movie is based off of Alan Turing, the man who cracked the German enigma machine during WWII. He did so under scrutiny and oppression because of his sexuality. In the end, the British didn’t even acknowledge his accomplishment and help because he was gay. Back then being gay and having relations with other men (as a man) was illegal. They forced him to do conversion therapy which caused him to take his own life. Anyone who has seen the movie and knows what it’s about knows that it is sad and depressing. But, despite the overall gloomy feel of the movie, there are elements of the score that highlight the greatest moment of the film, like when Alan Turing finally gets his computer to work and cracks the enigma. Without the music, this movie would not have the impact that it does.

There are so many components that go into making a movie. Actors, actresses, dialogue, directing, props, etc. but even with all of these things, the movie will be nothing without the score. It is what moves the viewers to put themselves in the position of the character and feel their emotions deeply. We should praise these instrumentals and their composers more for their hard work.