Composer

:

Alex North

Genre

:

Film

Style

:

Film Score

Compose Date

:

1952

'Viva Zapata!' is a 1952 American biographical drama film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando as the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata. The film was released on February 7, 1952, and was a critical and commercial success, earning four Academy Award nominations and winning one for Best Supporting Actress for actress Mercedes McCambridge. The film's soundtrack was composed by Alex North, who was known for his work on other notable films such as 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'Spartacus'. The score for 'Viva Zapata!' is characterized by its use of traditional Mexican music, including mariachi bands and folk songs, as well as North's own original compositions. The soundtrack features several movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the film's story and themes. The opening movement, titled "Main Title", sets the tone for the film with its use of a traditional Mexican folk song played on a solo guitar. This is followed by "Zapata's Love", a romantic and melancholic piece that underscores the relationship between Emiliano Zapata and his wife Josefa. Other notable movements include "The Death of Zapata", which features a mournful trumpet solo and a somber string section, and "The Battle of Cuautla", which is a rousing and energetic piece that accompanies the film's climactic battle scene. Overall, the soundtrack for 'Viva Zapata!' is a masterful blend of traditional Mexican music and original compositions by Alex North. It effectively captures the spirit of the film's subject matter and adds an additional layer of emotional depth to the story.

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