One of the most popular film genres of the past has been western films.
What makes a great film or score?
Naturally, that is a matter of a person's opinion, even for a critic like me.
Among the aspects to consider are how the music is used to support the film's story and how effectively it enhances the action and other aspects of the film.
After thinking about those elements I have chosen ten American film scores which for me would qualify as
great.
I have only considered American film scores so there are no Morricone film scores or other foreign composers on this list.
Roger Hall
Managing Editor, Film Music Review
Ten Great American Western Film Scores
(arranged in alphabetical order)
All the titles on this list are included on the
100 Essential Film Scores of the 20th Century
THE ALAMO --
music by Dimitri Tiomkin
THE BIG COUNTRY --
music by Jerome Moross
.
HIGH NOON --
music by Dimitri Tiomkin
(No. 1 in the WILD WESTmagazine's Special Collector's Edition: 100 Greatest Westerns)
.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON --
music by Alfred Newman & Ken Darby
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN --
music by Elmer Bernstein
RED RIVER --
music by Dimitri Tiomkin
RIO BRAVO --
music by Dimitri Tiomkin
THE SEARCHERS --
music by Max Steiner
SHANE --
music by Victor Young
TRUE GRIT --
music by Elmer Bernstein
What are your choices for 10 American western film scores?
Send your list to:
My favorite western film scores
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