Edge of Darkness (2010 soundtrack)

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Edge of Darkness (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
ReleasedJanuary 26, 2010
Recorded2009
Studio Abbey Road Studios, London
Genre Film score
Length55:03
Label WaterTower Music
Producer Howard Shore
Howard Shore chronology
Doubt
(2008)
Edge of Darkness
(2010)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
(2010)

Edge of Darkness (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 2010 film Edge of Darkness directed by Martin Campbell and starring Mel Gibson. The film score composed by Howard Shore was released through WaterTower Music on January 26, 2010. [1]

Contents

Background

The original score was initially set to be composed by John Corigliano, who was chosen by Campbell as he wanted Gibson to be portrayed in a more introspective and intimate manner, as opposed to his usual pattern and had written a "highly motivic and thematic" work for the film. [2] He also recorded the score at the Abbey Road Studios in London. However, despite his work being completed, his score was not included in the final edit, as producer Graham King sold the rights to Warner Bros. Pictures who had the film to be changed into an action film with Gibson's involvement, and needed a score to suit the actor's image and Corigliano's work did not match the final output and the composer himself rejected the idea on composing for an action star. Since, he went to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for performing a concert, Corigliano was unable to rescore the film, which led the producers to replace him with Howard Shore. [3] The score was written and recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in a short span of time. [4]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Titles"2:18
2."Mourning"3:24
3."Beach"2:34
4."Knife"2:25
5."Burning"2:40
6."Diogenes"3:35
7."Pursuit"3:39
8."Hit & Run"1:55
9."Nightflower"2:16
10."Senator"2:00
11."Emma"2:39
12."Captured"2:16
13."Killing"2:52
14."Reunited"2:25
15."Edge Of Darkness"2:07
16."You're My Girl"2:38
Total length:41:43

Reception

James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "This isn't an easy album to sit and listen to, but not everything in life should be easy, and if you find yourself in the right mood then it's certainly one worth having in your collection". [5] Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks wrote "Edge of Darkness is surprisingly cohesive, but it takes a while to cook." [6]

Reviewer based at The Hollywood Reporter called it an "edgy score". [7] Philip French of The Guardian wrote "Howard Shore's score is a dull, conventional affair compared to the magnificently eerie music written for the original by Eric Clapton and Michael Kamen." [8] JimmyO of JoBlo.com called the score as "fine". [9] Rick DeMott of Animation World Network wrote "Howard Shore's score is a subtle presence throughout the film, acting as a supporting character and never drawing too much attention to itself." [10]

Music from the Edge

Corigliano's rejected score for the film was released as Music from the Edge through Perseverance Records on May 2012. [11]

No.TitleLength
1."His Daughter's Death"4:11
2."Reflections"5:15
3."Her Home"3:23
4."Pursuit"3:46
5."Her Friends Death"2:33
6."Hideout"1:55
7."Family Shave"2:31
8."A Sober Story"3:01
9."The Escape"2:03
10."Revenge"3:00
11."Reunification"6:34
Total length:38:12

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes: [4]

References

  1. "Edge of Darkness (Original Score Soundtrack)". Apple Music . January 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  2. "Corigliano speaks out on 'Darkness' rejection". Movie Score Magazine. October 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 31, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  3. Gasser, Nolan (January 10, 2010). "Exclusive Interview with composer John Corigliano: Dec. 22, 2009". Classical Archives . Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Edge Of Darkness: Original Score". WaterTower Music. January 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  5. Southall, James (May 22, 2012). "Edge of Darkness soundtrack review | Howard Shore". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  6. Clemmensen, Christian (March 2, 2010). "Filmtracks: Edge of Darkness (Howard Shore)". Filmtracks . Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  7. "Edge of Darkness — Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Associated Press. October 14, 2010. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  8. French, Philip (January 31, 2010). "Edge of Darkness". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  9. JimmyO (January 28, 2010). "Review: Edge of Darkness". JoBlo.com . Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  10. DeMott, Rick (March 10, 2010). "Blu-Ray: EDGE OF DARKNESS (2010)". Animation World Network . Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  11. "Music From The Edge". Spotify . May 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2025.