Movie Trailer Themes

Factual Questions
1

I can hardly believe this question hasn’t been asked, but when I searched for it, I found nothing.

I think we all know that movie trailers hijack epic, sweeping themes from other movies since their epic, sweeping soundtracks aren’t done yet (in fact, I think I learned this from Unca Cec). My question is: What the hell are they, specifically? I love soundtracks, I collect them, but there are two or three of these “standards” that I just can’t figure out.

I know Carmina Burana (sp?) is used to death, American President, Backdraft and possibly the Last of the Mohicans…but what else? There’s one huge one that they always use in “political movie” trailers that I simply love but cannot find. IT’S DRIVING ME INSANE!!!

Help me…I beg.

jarbaby

2

You could try looking up some of those political movies here:
http://www.soundtrack.net/trailers/

3

It’s been covered. Recently in fact. Be sure to change your search criteria to something other than the past 5 days.

Here’s the thread:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=54062

There’s a link in there to a site that demystifies those trailer themes.

4

I apologize for that, then. I’m mystified though. I searched “movie themes” under “any date” in “any forum” and nothing came up. I must be doing this wrong.

jarbaby

5

Can you name a specific movie that it’s used for?

I know that James Horner’s music from Glory is often used for movie trailers, as well as for network TV movie promos. Specifically, I often hear two themes: “A Call To Arms” and “An Epitaph To War”. Maybe that’s what you have in mind.

6

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to sound snippy. :slight_smile: Just a helpful tip. I think I searched on movie trailer, or something similar.

7

Nope, nothing wrong with your method. Just your terminology. :slight_smile: “Movie trailer music” works pretty good as a search term.

8

Well, I thought I’d apologize anyway. Just to be safe. :slight_smile: I’m just a little newbie and I don’t want to get thrown into the pit for doing something stupid.

the pit scares me.

I’ve read it.

jarbaby

9

I noticed Hans Zimmer’s “Journey To The Line” from “The Thin Red Line” was used for the trailer for “Pearl Harbor.” Bet we hear that one in a lot more trailers.