THE LAND GIRLS
Rating: 
Original Review: Based on Angela Huth's celebrated novel, The Land Girls follows the fortunes of three young British girls who take manual jobs on a Dorset estate while the menfolk are away fighting in World War II. The movie examines the hopes, fears, and blossoming sex lives of the girls, played by Catherine McCormack, Anna Friel and Rachel Weisz, as they adapt to life down on the farm, and attract the attentions of hunky labourer Steven Mackintosh. With a tip of the hat to Stravinsky, British composer Brian Lock's music treads a fine line, evoking both the beauty of the rolling English landscape and the emotions of the three girls, while still acknowledging the spectre of war which continually looms ominously in the background. On the whole, the score is pure, unadulterated romanticism, and features harmonica, flute, guitar and piano solos prominently. Two recognisable themes crop up during the course of the score - a lush love theme for Stella and Joe ("The First Glance/The Second Glance"), and a bright, pastoral 'countryside' theme ("England/Joe and Prue/Good Times"). The fullest renditions come during the exquisite six-minute finale, "The End/There Is Always Hope", which provides a fitting conclusion to the album. One slightly bolder, darker, atonal cue ("Flying/Passion/Frustration/Crash") acts as a musical depiction of Joe's disappointment at being unable to leave the farm and fulfil his dream of joining the air force, and reaches a quite disturbing conclusion as a wounded German Luftwaffe jet nose-dives into one of their fields. There are also a couple of traditional English folk melodies ("Speed the Plough") and Glenn Miller-style dancehall tunes ("Lucky Glen/The Sidelong Slide"), written and arranged by Matthew Scott, which add energy and a touch of rural charm. The CD is presented wonderfully, and special mention should go to its producer Ian Hierons who, instead of arranging the score in the usual chronological order, has sequenced Lock's music into six individual suites, each representing a specific aspect of the story, and each having its own distinct feeling. After his acclaimed score for The Gambler and his sterling work arranging compositions by Strauss on The Portrait of a Lady, Brian Lock is surely a talent to watch. His score for The Land Girls is one of the loveliest to emerge from England this year.
Track Listing:
- The Kiss (1:32)
- Tender Love (2:48)
- Farewell and Reunion (2:02)
- The First Glance/The Second Glance (3:51)
- Blissful Happiness (2:18)
- Lost Love (3:12)
- Flying/Passion/Frustration/Crash (4:25)
- Shattered Dreams (1:13)
- Lucky Glen/The Sidelong Slide (written and arranged by Matthew Scott) (3:21)
- Affection Turns to Fear (1:52)
- The East Meadow (1:41)
- All Things Bright and Beautiful (traditional) (1:11)
- The Holly and the Ivy (traditional, performed by The Westminster Cathedral Choir) (1:12)
- England/Joe and Prue/Good Times (5:00)
- Speed the Plough (written by John Kirkpatrick, Mike Gregory and Howard Evans, performed by The Albion Band) (2:05)
- Stella's Desires/Torn Between Two Lovers/Turmoil (2:43)
- After the War (0:39)
- Lonely and Angry (2:01)
- The Dulverston Waltz/Slow Burn (written and arranged by Matthew Scott) (4:03)
- The End/There Is Always Hope (6:12)
Running Time: 53 minutes 39 seconds
Silva Screen FILMCD-300 (1998)
Music composed by Brian Lock. Conducted by David Firman. Orchestrations by Brian Lock. Featured musical soloists Julian Jackson, Susan Milan, Mitch Dalton and Leslie Pearson. Recorded, mixed and edited by Martin Astle. Additional arranging, recording and mixing by Toby Alington, Tom Jenkins and Paul Higgs. Album produced by Ian Hierons.
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These web pages were designed and maintained by Jonathan Broxton copyright 1998. All opinions and views expressed on these pages are my own and are in no way intended to reflect those of my employer, the Trent Institute for Health Services Research, or those of the University of Sheffield.