The Role of Soundtracks in the Film Industry

In the film industry

Like other sectors of entertainment, the ability to draw the attention of the audience is synonymous with high profit realized. Different techniques are employed to achieve the goal of high profitability. As for movies, directors employ scores in films as the strategy for having control of the market. One of such movies which employ a number of scores is the film “The Good, the Bad and Ugly,” directed by Sergio Leone, with Clint Eastwood, Aldo Giuffre, and Lee Van Cleef being the stars. The film was produced in 1966 with the theme of the Civil War. For a better comprehension of the role of soundtracks in establishing the historical perspective according to Mitchel’s “Against All Odds: The Decline and Resurgence of the Symphonic Film Score in Hollywood” journal.

Throughout the movie

Scores have a significant role in accompanying the theme of the movie and the development of scenes. One of the scores of the film is the song “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” whose instrumentation makes scenes stunning in the eyes of the audience. This is especially when the beauty of the western by the cowboys staring each other before they begin the gunfire. This establishes a scene which is characterized by the hostility of the west. The storyline of the movie correlates with the theme song selected by the producer. According to Mitchel, there is the need to incorporate a theme song which meets the expectations and desires of the audience (p. 177). This is linked to increased purchase and loyalty to films from a certain producer or director. In essence, adhering to a high and uncompromised level of creativity both in music selection and plot were translated to an appealing box office return.

The movie further continues to employ soundtracks in the plot

Such as the popular song in 1966, “Ecstasy of Gold” sung by Metallica. This song is heard when one of the actors by the name Tuco is seen for a certain grave which is believed to be holding a minimum of $200,000 worth of gold coins. He does this after a man by the name Bill Carson gave him the name of the cemetery where he would find the treasure. As the events develop in the plot, another man who is in the quest for having the gold coins emerge and three people clash in the scene amid the showdown between Union and Confederate forces. The purpose of the song during the confrontation is to show how dedicated each of the individuals is to get the prize. No matter what comes their way, they are ready to break them up because when they are yet to receive has risen their hope beyond imagination. The music is played in such a manner that the viewer can follow the plot and at the same time be encouraged to keep following the happenings. This is contrary to what some filmmakers do by saturating their movies with some sound effects and music which are overhyped and distracting. In her analysis, Mitchel argues that too much of the exaggerations arising from unrealistic music and sound effects could affect the ability of the audience to follow the storyline and the dialogue between characters (p. 197). However, the director Sergio Leone achieves his objective of drawing the attention of watchers to the film who end up becoming permanent followers of his work.

Popular music continues stretching the purpose of reinforcing the theme

The director intends to convey as the movie nears its conclusion. The song “The Trio” makes the listener come to the realization that truly “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” is the library of what can be considered the treasure in the film in the film industry. This song leaves the viewer with a great deal of imagination on what the treasure means to each one of the trios in the confrontation at the climax of the movie. In the spaghetti nation, what was more valued than being in possession of some cash to quench the thirst resulting from the wild nature of the place? The listener is left in a deep thought as to what extent does wage for earthly possession make it worth sacrificing for. Moreover, the audience is allowed a seven-minute of nothing but “The Trio” which recuperates the plot of the movie in the mind. In her article, Mitchel shows that there is a need to include sounds which show a high level of creativity without interfering with the memorability of the audience (p. 188).

In closing, the film “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”

Is a crowd-moving piece of art whose composure and the inclusion of complements such as scores developing the plot leave a lasting mark in the entertainment industry. The selection of soundtracks makes the movie more interesting to watch and therefore reinforce the benefit of including music and sound effects in moderation to prevent hyperbolic plot presentation and development. It leaves one yearning for more of the similar quality and even better.

Work Cited

Mitchell, Helen. “Against all odds: The decline and resurgence of the symphonic film score in Hollywood.” Journal of Film Music, no. 2.2-4, 2010, pp. 175-200.