by TimT on 10/11/2000
 
This is John Scott's score for the film starring Ben Cross (not to be confused with the ABC TV miniseries from the same year scored by Mark Snow, starring Michael Caine).

I suppose by composing music for so many underwater Jacques Cousteau documentaries, Scott had already perfected his skills at scoring for the deep sea. This music is haunting and sets the mood for sub-marine exploration, ranging from light and mystical to more dark and atmospheric as the story moves deeper into the sea. The music also becomes violent with loud action music, as heard in "Saga of the Abraham Lincoln" and "Set Upon by Sharks."

The main theme of the score is focused on Captain Nemo and the Nautilus, whose characters are commanding, restless and devious. Nemo's second theme is more like a love theme, usually played by an oboe and strings. This theme is best heard in "Mount Atlantis," which also features some dramatic, opera-like female vocals.

Sophie, Ned and the war ship Abraham Lincoln each have their own themes, which represent their characters very well. Sophie's theme also becomes a love theme later when she has relations with Ned. The climax of the score starts with the eerie "Monster from the Depths," which is really sinister and has a noticeable choir. A lush performance of Nemo's secondary theme is heard in "Pearls."

I recommend this to all - it's one of John Scott's most creative scores. The haunting underwater sea music and action cues are really great, as well as the themes for the characters.