Explore the achievements that pushed the "Die Hard" action movie to a higher level!

Michael Kamen's musical achievements

However, the great thing about ``Die Hard'' is that it is more than just an homage to such a great writer.

McTiernan cited musical motifs similar to A Clockwork Orange Orange, such as ``Ode to Joy'' and ``Singin' in the Rain'', because in his mind the terrorists from ``Die Hard'' were the same as ``A Clockwork Orange''. He says that he can be seen as a "direct descendant" of the main character Alex, who commits ultra-violence in the play, and that he used these musical references to satirize the existence of terrorism.

However, Michael Kamen, who composed the music for ``Die Hard,'' had doubts about the idea of ​​using Beethoven, and was critical of violent films. However, in accordance with his request, both songs were integrated into the original score, and after a mere four-week composing period, the director's intentions were realized through music.

“Die Hard” (C)2018 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Above all, Kamen was the perfect composer to carry this out. He began his musical education at the age of two, and after studying oboe at the prestigious Juilliard School, he began his professional career by forming the New York Rock Ensemble, a band that aimed to fuse baroque music and rock. ing. In 1979, he was in charge of orchestrating and arranging the album ``The Wall'' by the progressive rock band ` `Pink Floyd .'' He rose to prominence through collaborations between rock and classical music, smoothing the transition to film scoring.

Kamen says. "Classical musicians are judged to be bigots, but they have just as much passion as rock musicians."

Starring Hans Zimmer ( The Dark Knight ), Trevor Rabin (Armageddon), Danny Elfman ( Edward Scissorhands ) and Trent Reznor ( The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ) )'') It is not uncommon for musicians in the rock field to compose film music, but as a pioneer in this field, Kamen has achieved one major accomplishment with this work. 30th anniversary of the production of "Die Hard". Michael Kamen was also an important key figure in the history of action movies, and his early death is still deeply missed (passed away at the age of 55).

Reference materials/literature:

Eric Lichtenfeld “DIE HARD:LIMITED EDITION” soundtrack CD liner notes (lalaland records)

“Die Hard” Blu-ray Audio Commentary/John McTiernan (Director) & Jackson Degovia (Art) (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan)

Text: Kazuo Ozaki

Film critic and writer. His main writing sites include print media such as ``Figure King'', ``Champion RED'', ``Eiga Hiho'', and ``Hokkaido'', and web media such as ``Eiga.com'' and ``The Cinema''. In addition, he has contributed many explanations and essays to theater pamphlets, movie mook books, and DVD & Blu-ray software booklets. She also formed a cinema comedian unit [Movie Gachinko Brothers] under the name "Dolly Ozaki" and appears on TV and at talk events. Twitter: @dolly_ozaki

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Die Hard 30th Anniversary Edition <4K ULTRA HD + 2D Blu-ray/2-disc set>

Released on May 18, 2018 (on sale) 2-disc set Suggested retail price ¥5,990 + tax

(C)2018 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved.