"Music and film are inseparable. They always have been, and they always will be." -Martin Scorcese
Movie. The amount of components that go into perfecting this word is numerous. From the relaxed ambience of the theatre to the wondrous smell of popcorn that taunts are noses. The brilliant acting, expression, dialogue and setting all contribute to the making of a blockbuster movie.
However, the seemingly insignificant component of movies to which we pay the least attention is the music. It binds all the other elements together and only with music do we enjoy the experience of a movie.
Imagine watching a horror movie on mute? With the music, goosebumps would be creeping on our skin, our eyes covered in fear praying every second; any loud sound and it would be frightening. Yet without the music, the images seem ridiculously amusing. An emotional scene in a movie would not make us shed a tear without the music. An extravagant superhero fight scene would even look a little silly without the heroic blast of orchestral horns. Music sets the tone of a movie. Without it, we would not know how to react or what to make of the images. Music triggers emotions giving context and setting to a scene. It can in fact transport us to a world that may not even exist. The critically acclaimed score of 'Dune' by Hans Zimmer is a perfect example of this. The film opens with an ominous rhythmic chant in a non-existent language created specifically for the film. This is accompanied by some mysterious text on the screen that tells us nothing about where the movie is set, yet the music immediately lets the viewer know that the film is set in a fantastical location.
We never consciously notice the music when we watch a film, but it unconsciously influences our perception of the images we see so intently. There is no cinema without music. The next time you visit the theatre to watch a movie, pay close attention to what the music triggers in you and observe the wonders. The magic of the movie will enrapture you much much more…
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