BFI | Sight & Sound | The Best Music in Film

The Best Music in Film

(American folk singer who's work has featured in Six Feet Under)

S&S: What is your favourite film soundtrack music and why do you like it so much?: "I love the soundtrack to The Deer Hunter (1978). It is so respectfully used that the music is at times the main character. I think the final night before the boys are all shipped off to Vietnam is one of the great moments. All sitting around listening to the piano, not knowing what's to come. Man that's an incredible scene. I really enjoy and respect Cameron Crowe and Wes Anderson for how how well they treat the songs they use in their movies. They obviously really enjoy making movies and the music they use really shows the kind of enthusiasm they have for the whole process."
S&S: In what ways does music best enhance a film?: "I think a great film soundtrack is like another actor in the movie. If it is subtle it can reveal new meanings, deepen the relationship of the characters to each other, and furnish a backdrop to the plot. I loved the soundtrack to The Godfather (1972). It fit so perfectly with its surroundings the whole movie took on the colour of mahogany."
S&S: Which film either has music that you wished you'd written or is one you would like to rescore and why?: "I wouldn't change the original a bit, but if they ever wanted to do a remake of Nashville (1975), I'd be knocking down doors to write a bunch of songs for it."