The Greatest Story Ever Told (Score) Customer Review: Alfred Newman’s Final Epic Bow
Varese Sarabande has again done credit to the genre of great film scores with their recent release of the expanded (if not full) Alfred Newman score for George Stevens’ production of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (Newman and Stevens had also worked together on “Gunga Din,” one of Newman’s best efforts). The film title missed the mark a bit as far as the film is concerned. This is probably not the greatest of the Bible epics, but it is an interesting entry nevertheless. For those of us who live in the area of Lake Powell and southern Utah it is a trip to view this film with its very familiar Red Rock backdrops filling in for Palestine. And the acting was in many cases first rate. Newman’s score was also an enormous plus. Perhaps not one of his best, it was certainly a great score. Based largely on a major theme that is clearly reminiscent of his earlier score for “The Robe,” this is a major triumph, as is this three disc presentation. Nicely packaged and produced at an unbelievable price, this is a must for film score buffs. Disc one contains the original soundtrack recording (with updated sound)including Handel’s chorus from “The Messiah” which Stevens’ insisted upon using instead of Newman’s own ending. Curiously, Newman’s choral “Exit Music” would have been a much better fit for the film and is included here. Discs two and three include the majority of Newman’s original score, as he intended it. It is really majestic stuff, although much of the score took a sombre tone. I cannot wait to enjoy this score driving down the Burr Trail. It is music that mataches the grand landscape, and the greatest story ever told.

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