March of the Penguins - background music

[Robert G]

I recently watched the DVD of the incredible film 'March of the Penguins' which has been a big box office hit in America. Does anyone agree that this beautiful and moving film was slightly spoiled by too much incidental music, especially where this competed with the natural sounds? It would be nice if one had the option of viewing such films as this with the music either 'on' or 'off', just as many films on DVD may be viewed with or without the director's commentary superimposed.

[Altosruleok]

Not at all. I thought that the music was very well written and added greatly to the atmosphere of the changing situations.
I agree that sometimes incidental music can be obtrusive, but in this case, although I was very aware of it, I found it a great pleasure.

[Stu in USA]

I agree with Aro, and be thankful that you didn't see the original French version where actors voice the penguins!! Talk about ruining a superb film - I loved Morgan Freeman's narration which I hope is on the UK DVD

[Robert G]

Thanks, both.

I agree that the music was OK, but felt there could have been a little less of it. Here and there I wanted to hear more of the natural sounds in the otherwise silent Antarctica.

My overall thought was that the film was reminiscent of those early Walt Disney natural history films such as The Living Desert and The Vanishing Prairie, but without the obvious contrivances. Here, the emperor penguins spoke for themselves.

We have the USA DVD - it has not yet been released in the UK. I thought Morgan Freeman's narration was excellent; here and there one could detect just enough emotion in his voice to add to the highs and lows without oversentimentalisation.

It remains to be seen what the UK DVD will feature.