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The ten movies with the best soundtrack of all time
The AFI, American Film Institute is an independent nonprofit organization created by National Endowment for the Arts that aims to promote and protect film works, particularly those in the United States.
AFI over the years has produced numerous film-related rankings, such as those for the 100 Best Movies, 100 Best Heroes, and 100 Best Antagonists.
Among such rankings, there is also one dedicated to the films with the best soundtrack of all time: here are what the top ten rankings are according to AFI.
The 10 movies with the best soundtrack of all time
The AFI, American Film Institute, is an independent non-profit organisation whose aim is to promote and protect film works, particularly those from the United States. Over the years, the AFI has produced numerous film-related rankings, such as the 100 Best Films, 100 Best Heroes and 100 Best Antagonists. Among these rankings, there is also one dedicated to the films with the best soundtrack of all time: here are the top ten positions according to AFI.
10. High Noon, 1952 - Dimitri Tiomkin
The entire film, starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, is punctuated by Dimitri Tiomkin's famous music. The main part of the soundtrack, i.e. the song 'Do not forsake me, oh my darling' (also known as 'High Moon'), is sung in the feature by the famous country musician Tex Ritter.
9. Chinatown , 1974 - Jerry Goldsmith
Directed by Roman Polanski, 'Chinatown' received 11 nominations for the 1975 Oscars, winning only one, for Best Original Screenplay. Among the nominations was also that for Best Original Score: although it did not win the award, the music of 'Chinatown' still ranked ninth according to AFI.
8. The Magnificent Seven, 1960 - Elmer Bernstein
Eighth place for 'The Magnificent Seven', a western film loosely based on Akira Kurosawa's 'The Seven Samurai'. In 2013, this film was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress of the United States of America.
7. Laura, 1944 - David Raksin
Inspired by the novel of the same name by Vera Caspary, this film won only one Oscar, yet it did not even receive a nomination in the Best Original Score category.
6. Jaws, 1975 - John Williams
A unique, distressing, emotional soundtrack, just like Spielberg's film. To this day, the music of this feature film is still one of the most iconic in cinema: many, even in jest, turn around when listening to the main tune to see if there is a fin hovering somewhere...
5. The Godfather, 1972 - Nino Rota
Again, we are talking about one of the most famous musical compositions in the entire history of cinema. To create an Italian atmosphere and evoke the tragedy of the film, Nino Rota reused parts of his soundtrack from the 1958 film 'Fortunella'. Director Francis Ford Coppola's father, Carmine, created some additional music for the film, in particular the music played by the band during the opening wedding scene.
4. Psycho , 1960 - Bernard Herrmann
Another iconic soundtrack, that still today is capable of arousing suspicion and anxiety, feelings that also characterise Alfred Hitchcock's famous film. It is incredible to think how 'Psycho' did not even receive an Oscar, despite being one of the most popular films in history today.
3. Lawrence of Arabia, 1962 - Maurice Jarre
The soundtrack for this film was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. "Lawrence d'Arabia" won 7 Oscars, including Best Original Score and Best Sound.
2. Gone with the Wind , 1939 - Max Steiner
Max Steiner's work with 'Gone with the Wind' was not honoured with any particular awards, as was the case with his other works. Nevertheless, today the soundtrack of this historic film has remained engraved in the collective imagination, being reused on other occasions outside the film context.
1. Star Wars, 1977 - John Williams
The soundtrack to this film, composed by John Williams and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, received two platinum records in the United States and the United Kingdom and two Grammy Awards for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Pop Instrumental Performance. An incredible success, also certified by the Academy Award for Best Original Score (one of the 7 Oscars won by the first film in the Star Wars saga).