Through contrast and comparison, critically analyse the soundtrack, and its role in audio-visual media, by exploring two genre specific films of your choice. “An important factor in the success of a film score is the exact choice of scenes o moments where music can really speak effectively, so that it does not become a mere dim background”. (2009, p. 62) This quote from James Bernard really encapsulates the ways in which films approach their scores, this is shown in the Gothic horror, Dracula (1958) and the 1973 supernatural horror, The Exorcist. In neither film are the soundtracks “mere dim background” noise instead are extremely carefully constructed to heighten the intense horrific nature of both films. However once we look to analyse …show more content…
America experienced a particularly disorientating series of tremors and jolts. From assassinations, to the outrage and horror of an apparently senseless war, to the moral license of pornography, to the political sacrilege of executive corruption – each secular evil received its share of public attention. (1975, p.42).” Therefore this idea of evil would have been in the hearts of viewers watching. In contrast to Dracula which took viewers away from reality, in the Exorcist I feel this would have played into viewers of emotions who felt unable to control the financial, social and political issues much like possessed Regan in the film unable to control of her own body. This connection with the character makes the awful, inhuman medical treatment of Regan as well as the harrowing experience during her possession and exorcism makes the viewer really sympathise for the Regan. This is emphasised in the music of The Exorcist, Jack Nitzsche recorded many of the sound effects that make of the bulk of the movie’s soundtrack, and it is the sound effect recorded for the medical treatment that Regan undergoes in hospital that Mark Evans really believes to