Ep. 30 - Graeme Revell's 'Until the End of the World'
Action, Drama, Music, Sci-Fi, 18-Jan-2021
Wim Wenders' 1991 sci-fi, to us, is considered to be one of the "ultimate road movies ever made". The Director's Cut is nearly 287 minutes in two acts set at the turn of the millennium in the shadow of a world-changing catastrophe. Featuring a fantastic score by Graeme Revell with a soundtrack release featuring artists like R.E.M., Elvis Costello, Daniel Lanois, and U2, this clip shows the masterful 'Main Title' by Revell mixed with 'Sax and Violins' by The Talking Heads. While both of these tracks are featured on the soundtrack, it is interesting to note that The Talking Heads track is actually playing within the scene itself.
Revell has composed nothing quite like this. The score mixes ambient textures with cello, orchestra motifs, and pygmy vocals which, if you have seen the film, is a prominent musical focal point for one of the characters. The incredible color of the introduction transporting you into the dreamlike state of the world that unfolds is perfect considering the story revolves around a device that records memories.
There is no question that Wenders was ahead of his time here, with beautiful futuristic set design that shows HDTV and digital device concepts, some of which would later become our current mobile devices. Just enjoy these cues as they blend together with the beautiful colors and design within the frame. If you haven't seen the Director's Cut, do so.
Where to watch: https://letterboxd.com/film/until-the-end-of-the-world/
---
Every Monday and Wednesday, SCORE CUE SNAPSHOTS brings you iconic scenes married to the corresponding score cue without dialogue and SFX, thus allowing anyone to appreciate how the score works with what you see unfold on-screen.