Was ready to throw roses at the TV to Burton and Herrmann after the first series of Hamlet scenes.
That's my comment from a reply over in the Non-FSD hemisphere. Want to add here that the music was something of a revelation after seeing the flick in widescreen. So much of the early scoring has a menacing and filled-with-dread feel that is perfect for the overall context of the story. But it's the scoring of the Shakesperean scenes that really got me excited because there is something of an overlap going on. What I mean is that at times it was fuzzy as to what was being underscored, those scenes on their own or with the drama that is the film? Not sure if I'm making more of a big deal than what's there but the juxtaposition for want of a better term worked.
Gonna havta pull out the Smith bio and check re intentions. Anyway and in retrospect the thought of Herrmann and Burton "working together" gives me goosebumps. Oh my goodness that voice--which I drank in at his opening performance of Equus on Broadway...and those chords or whatever--the composer's trademark i.e. no one gets so much mileage out of whole notes more than him--just give me them roses, a chorus of bravos and a glass of champagne. Herrmann and Hamlet! Benny and Burton!!
As soon as I heard the date I headed over to Ticketron outlet (boy does that sound quaint now) in a nearby mall and purchased two on the aisle, orchestra section. What a night. Liz & limo eventually showed up afterwards. Pretty good spread with pictures in one of the NY dailies next day. He had actually done a sneak performance the weekend previous in place of Anthony Perkins.
