If you're expecting this score to be a totally action packed score with one action que after another, you're in for a big surprise. That's not to say that there's no action on this score, but that is to say that there is more to Patton (the man and the score) than just action. As the movie reveals, George Patton, perhaps one of the greatest generals to have served in World War II, was a man of many sides. While it was true that war was a passion with him, it was not his only side.
Patton believed in reincarnation and was a very contemplative man. For such a person as this, it would have been wrong to score a movie on his time during the war with nothing but action ques. As such there are many tracks which are on a more somber and often, religious tone. Tracks such as The Cemetary and No Assignment are just two of the many tracks that showcase the man behind the warrior. Now on to the action. The Patton march featured first in Main Title is probably one of the most famous war themes in recent history. Starting off with a faint trumpet 3-bar which is often heard in movies whenever a war veteran is shown, the music steps in to the main march. It is a wonderfully written piece that remains one of Goldsmith's finest compositions. This piece is heard several other times in the score as well.
Patton the film had about 30 minutes worth of music written for it but is quite effective in even such a short duration. But what takes up the other half of the CD? Why the score to Tora! Tora! Tora! of course. This score was also written by Goldsmith for the film detailing the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The Main Title is a driving and powerful piece but isn't as effective as the score to Midway by John Williams. Only a portion of the music is included in this release but it is undoubtedly some of the better tracks from the score. On the whole, it makes for a wonderful addition to the Patton part of the score. This CD is well worth looking into.
Total time: 46:52
1: Main Title (2:24)
2: The Battle Ground (2:29)
3: The Cemetary (2:50)
4: The First Battle (3:03)
5: The Funeral (1:52)
6: The Hospital (3:17)
7: No Assignment (2:04)
8: German March (2:03)
9: Entr'acte (2:15)
10: Attack (3:29)
11: German Advance (2:38)
12: An Eloquent Man (1:50)
13: The Pay-Off (2:24)
14: End Title (1:14)
15: Main Title (3:15)
16: Pre-Flight (2:11)
17: On the Way (1:43)
18: Imperial Palace (2:23)
19: End Title (2:05)