THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL (1965) - Elmer Bernstein - Soundtrack Suite

Elmer Bernstein scored four films for director John Sturges. Two of the films and scores are classics - The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. Another (McQ) is fondly remembered. One is rather forgotten - The Hallelujah Trail, a rather silly western comedy (its tagline was "How the West Was Fun!") starring Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Donald Pleasance and other familiar faces. Its lighthearted nature led to composer Bernstein writing a virtual self-parody for the score's orchestral sections, but these are rather overshadowed by the choral music, with lyrics by Ernie Sheldon.
From the first track, these pieces dominate the album experience (though not its running time, admittedly). They are something of an acquired taste, and I'm not sure I've really acquired the taste: very daft, sung by full chorus, they're the sort of thing that would quickly have you turning the volume right down if anyone entered the room in case they heard you listening to them. Certainly, they're full of a sense of fun, and the score's main theme, sung in the first cue on the album, is extremely catchy. Indeed, it is so catchy - and heard so frequently over the course of the album, in virtually every track - it's difficult to resist walking away whistling it once the album has finished, and becoming rather irritated to so - it's so bright and breezy as to verge on being annoying.
The score is at its best when it becomes less overtly comedic. While a cue like "The Chase" is still quite obviously from a farcical comedy, it at least has a sense of drama which keeps the music going along and makes it one of the album's high points. The absolute high water mark is the lovely, touching "Whiskey, Love and Temperance", featuring a beautiful violin solo. By far the best of the (orchestral) arrangements of the main theme comes in the Overture, an excellent Bernstein piece. Don't get me wrong - this is fun music, dominated as Bernstein scores almost invariably were by strong melody and a great sense of charming enthusiasm; it just can't really hold up with Bernstein's exceptional music for more serious westerns.
It's a long way from being classic Bernstein, but does still have enough highlights to make it a recommended purchase for the late composer's fans. (James Southall)
Source: www.movie-wave.net/titles/hallelujah_trail.html

[@denvan3143]

With this beautifully boisterous and exuberant soundtrack, Elmer Bernstein shows himself to be the equal of John Williams and other great movie music composers. 🎉

[@Robert26577]

Lee Remick - I love you. This film, when I was a young teenager back in 1974, was the blessed gateway that introduced a young lad to your limitless beauty, elegance, style and grace. Oh, how stunning you were in those long, figure-hugging dresses, hats and gloves! Lord, have mercy. The instant I first saw you, I fell hopelessly in love. "The Hallelujah Trail," as lighthearted and campy as it may have been, was your signature film as far as I am concerned. I am and will be yours, forever.

[@drstihl2007]

Everytime I'm watching this movie i can't help but fall in love with the theme...being a death metal fan normally. The opening track is just epic and the refrain enjoyed with a good drink lets you forget all the bad things in the world for a couple of minutes atleast.

[@bemyvalentine320]

This was a delightful move and the soundtrack was wonderful. Thank you so much for uploading this timeless musical score!

[@tadimaggio]

Can you imagine how wonderful it must have been to have been the man who wrote both this great opening theme AND the theme to "The Magnificent Seven"?

[@AJNorth]

Not to mention the beautiful and idiomatic Coplandesque score to "To Kill A Mockingbird" (1962), "The Trouble with Angels" (1966, in particular, an exquisite quiet and contemplative passage with Bernstein on piano), and, of course, "The Ten Commandments" (1956), which rocketed him to the top echelon of American film composers - amongst many others (including his truly remarkable jazz score for "The Man With the Golden Arm," 1955).

[@davidcharles324]

Not to mention The Great Escape!!

[@dlfendel2844]

I love the march for the Denver guys and the rest of this wonderful rollicking score. The key to the movie working was the way Burt Lancaster insisted on playing it straight (right choice) and the wonderful frustrations of Bryan Keith. I remember seeing it with my family at a domed theater in Mission Valley, San Diego when we were vacationing down there.

[@chrisj2539]

Lancaster's way of handling his role reminds me of John Wayne in several similar pictures of his; comedies, but he does it straight in contrast to the craziness going on around him.

[@maskutchitamagotchiworld1911]

I have always loved The Hallelujah Trail and the cast was perfect. Brian Keith (Frank Wallingham) and Donald Pleaseance (Oracle Jones) are my top favourites. Like the quicksand bottoms scene the most. Such the greatest 1965 comedy western i ever seen. I love the soundtrack. It brings back so many memories in my heart. 10/10 from me. Love it and being a fan of The Hallelujah Trail is all i ever need. The soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein made this comic western so warm and full of joy and excitement.

[@chrisj2539]

Oh, yes, who can ever forget Oracle having once met him! And don't you love the way Wallingham drives that buckboard? Like something out of Ben-Hur! Then, of course, there's Five Barrels (Robert J. Wilkie is really speaking Sioux--I know enough of it to recognize it) and the inimitable Martin Landau as Walks-Stooped-Over. And John Anderson, absolutely perfect as Sgt-Maj Buell, who, like all top sergeants, was his Colonel's best advisor.

[@karldelmatier6382]

It's good-natured comedy that spoofs everyone. The film would not get close to passing PC approval today. Nevertheless, a bevy of fine actors realizing it's not serious and they are all at top of their tongue-in-cheek game. The soundtrack by Bernstein catches the whole mood in perfection. An altogether wonderful release from the serious where nobody - military, religion, business, lushes, psychics, native Americans, and more - gets a pass from being made fun of their shortcomings. It'a a giant "lighten up and get along" message delivered in spectacularly filmed comedy. Indeed, we take ourselves too seriously to enjoy it. Maybe if the currently afoot 2nd revolution succeeds, we'll appreciate it anew. :)

[@absue]

@@karldelmatier6382 Right on!

[@spikespa5208]

It was a bit of a downer to hear later that a stuntman died making the final "booze stampede" scene.

[@igorkrajina5942]

God I cant wait to watch this movie again, big budget epicness in the middle of wild west, and this music in the big scenes, beyond amazing

[@2RSkipG]

Has anyone seen a clip where the Pleasance character is at a table, with people around him waiting for some kind of response from him, and Pleasance takes a drink, his eyes get real big, and says something to the effect, "Now I see it!"? I'd love to see that scene again. Liam, the Old Guy

[@spikespa5208]

The movie, and that particular scene, is on YT.

[@Ganymed27]

This was my absolute favourite film as a kid. The European release was cut by 20 minutes which made it a better movie. I know so many people who love this film. It is hilarious.

[@frank61ism]

I want this song played at my funeral. Full blast. I know my last wishes won't be honored, but what else is new ?

[@bemyvalentine320]

Thanks for sharing this. What a great musical score and movie!

[@frank61ism]

GREAT SONG.VERY GOOD FEELING.

[@jtbowen-hitchings1968]

Od nly two things one can admire in this film, Elmers score, and John Denhers beautiful voice on the commentary.

[@snowlafsnowlafsen7470]

I like this music very much! It´s so fantastic! Sung perfectly and lovely played.

[@AiBe0815]

It's my favourite film! And I'm 27. I watched it as a child with my parents. I fell in love with the music - and a year ago I found a record. And an half year ago I bougth the DVD (German version: 40 Wagen westwärts (literally: Fourty carriage westward)).

[@2RSkipG]

Ah! That was a great help. And I'd forgotten how powerful the music was. Thanks again! Liam, that Old Guy

[@loishenderson4344]

How incredibly joyful :)! Thank you. xx

[@RichardRingo1]

This was a good film, mildly funny, but it had a GREAT score. Thanks Elmer Bernstein!

[@markloveless1001]

It's a fun movie. Drags forever on the set-up, I'll grant ya, but the payoff is first-rate. The only movie I ever saw in 'the next town over' when I was a kid, I remember it probably way more fondly than it may deserve But I've always remembered it. Killer performances by Brian Keith and Donald Pleasance, not to mention the 'Randolph Scott' moment. But the soundtrack had that sound. Hard to describe, but familiar, kinda like The Magnificent Seven, and the Sons Of Katie Elder, The Great Escape...I finally put to together. :)

[@davidlee4619]

I was another who loved the music from the film. I remember having to order it in specially as no one had it in stock. And I agree with Robert Tecau - Lee Remick was a beautiful lady and I enjoyed her in almost everything she starred in.

[@rockape560]

dont know if this was a tounge and cheek western but it is a great funny westen to watch

[@duddle3]

A Brilliant theme!

[@Demiback1]

Que musica, me recuerda hermosos momentos con mi familia

[@caseypons]

What are the odds of staying up way past your bedtime last-night to watch this zanny little production of women taming men of their vile vices and wild ways of the ole West with a never ending cast and wondering how I could have missed this for a half a century. Let alone wake up in the morning to find my favorite videographer on YT has selected the Elmer Bernstein soundtrack for his next subject to conquer. It seems all to fitting, somehow! Very nicely done, Schnurpselbacke1.

[@MegaSwallow69]

Rest ion Peace BurtLancaster, Brian Keith and Donald Pleasance.

[@glennmorris8001]

elmer bernstein is to me by far the greatest composer dead or alive in the world.

[@manolotrullas7658]

una de las mas vitalistas bandas sonoras del cine

[@hitomi1341]

素敵な映画には、素敵な音楽が合います。これで決まりでっす！💯♥️💜💙😘

[@frank61ism]

WHEN I GET CREAMATED IM GOING TO HAVE THIS PLAYED.

[@jandreidrn]

Elmer also scored "A Girl Named Tamiko", & "By Loved Possessed" for Sturges.

[@konstantinpetrovic5676]

epic!!!!!

[@sergiolobato1798]

Yeah, he played Oracle Jones.....hilarious...

[@cinemabon]

They needed ultra-wide venues for the new Cinerama theaters. This western, along with How the West was Won, fit the venue. Audiences craved this kind of fluff. They made their money back and then some. Not one of John Sturges finest films but a great soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein who had to compose his largest score for this film. Unfortunately for Bernstein, he never won an Oscar for his work on Sturges films - Magnificent Seven, Great Escape, or this film; perhaps his most popular themes.

[@whatsina1]

+cinemabon It was an OK film with great music. Along with this and ''Its a mad mad mad mad World'' I lived in hope that the so called new single lens cinerama process would stack up to the old ultra involving three strip process. But sadly there was no comparison at all. Everything was as flat as a pancake in comparison because all these post three strip versions versions were just 70mm prints squeezed in the middle to accommodate the huge curve of a Cinerama . The ''see forever'' into the distance feeling like your own eyes have was gone. The close up clarity was mostly gone. The peripheral vision involvement of the three strips which added to true Cinerama's intense realism was gone. A three strip cinerama film was like seeing with your actual eyes..hence the moniker ''just like being there''. The original process was designed to do just that. That was gone with with these blown up 70mm prints. The 70mm prints even did away with the 7th soundtrack. The three section camera ''cinerama camera'' was such a bitch to use for real stories that directors hated it hence ''How the West was won'' and ''Wonderful world of the Brothers Grimm'' were the only two made and they were made in tandem. After that it sadly all turned to custard. If any studio finally works out how to recreate what the three strips could do without all the really big problems then there would I'm sure be a resurgence of films and Cinerama screens..because nothing has ever matched it. If interested there is so much on line it will keep you going for years. Amazing what a world war will do..(part of the story you can read on line about inventor Fred Waller)

[@cinemabon]

Anamorphic 70mm (Super Panavision 70) is impressive, but the original Cinerama was mind blowing and will fade into sunset, just as will you and I.

[@igorkrajina5942]

I can not believe such amazing theme songs never won an oscar, every kid here in europe knows those songs, they are beyond timeless

[@IlluminatiLand]

Can't wait for this to come out on Blu-ray! - widescreen! maybe even SmileBoxVision!...

[@jslasher1]

The blu-ray release from Olive Films is an unmanaged disaster. Do not purchase it.

[@AhhhHalloAchso]

realy? i saw it the first time when i was 7^^ ... okay my parents are film-lovers (my mother espacialy western) and now i am 22 and bourght the dvd by myself^^

[@johnprovince5304]

Similar opening graphics to "The Great Race" released the same year.

[@shkeni]

It was in the Revolusha-yan!

[@Rikki0]

Loved Donald Pleasance in this.

[@maskutchitamagotchiworld1911]

11:59 The only cure when end up bankrupt.

[@davidcharles324]

Yes! And who would have thought The Forger could actually jump off the roof of that hut at the end??

[@scotttaylor7146]

3:40

[@tiagoariboni6015]

por favor alguém pode me dizer como se chama a música tocada em 8:23 e 9:20? obrigado!

[@Blackcavalier94]

- Chicos ya no soy un piromaniaco de 16 años que (sonido de mecha encendida) interesante... - Esto supera el desfile del 98 - No se el carro alegórico ardió una semana - Como sabremos cual es el comodo 3000 - Esperemos que fuera ese - Les dijeron cuando recuperaremos la vista? - La caja decía 3 días... - Creo que valió la pena

[@Agent1058]

german name of this film : vierzig wagen westwärts gread movie and a lot of fun

[@tiagoariboni6015]

por favor alguém pode me dizer como se chama a música tocada em 8:22 e 9:21?

[@chrisj2539]

Isso é "We Will Save", que é a música de moderação das senhoras.

[@tiagoariboni6015]

Chris J muito obrigado! Mesmo assim não consigo achar a música

[@RichardRingo1]

PS Should have been about 45 minutes shorter. :-)

[@jslasher1]

You have not properly seen the film unless you've seen it in the original roadshow engagements, presented in Ultra Panavision 70 on a curved Cinerama screen. There are several motives in Elmer's score, each of which are heard in the Overture. The Main Title theme is only one of them. I don't agree with Schnurpselbacke1's (ist das Deutsch? Gott im himmel) appraisal.