The British public has been out to give a definitive answer for the best movie soundtrack of all time, and for the third year in a row, an iconic fantasy trilogy claimed the top spot. It seems the soundtrack to Middle-earth is the nation’s favourite as Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings soundtrack has been crowned the best, topping Classic FM’s Movie Music Hall of Fame for yet another year.
More than 10,000 Brits voted in the Classic FM and Radio Times list after a day-long countdown through cinema’s most legendary soundtracks, and Jonathan Ross revealed the highly anticipated results on Monday evening. The score for the retelling of the Tolkien classic topped the list, adding to the list of accolades won by the Canadian composer for his work bringing the world to life, having already won two Golden Globes, four Grammys and three Oscars for his work across the trilogy.
The film also scooped an Oscar for best original song for the much-loved end credits song, Into the West with music and lyrics from Shore, Annie Lennox, and Fran Walsh.
Speaking to the radio after winning the award 22 years after the final film’s release, the 78-year-old said: “It’s an honour that The Lord of the Rings has topped the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame for the third year running.
“I’m deeply grateful to all the Classic FM listeners who voted. It is wonderful that audiences continue to enjoy this musical journey through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, and I am thrilled the music resonates so strongly today.”
First released in 2001, Peter Jackson’s fantasy epic starring Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen has seen international success and become one of the highest-grossing film series in the world.
Ross, who hosts a dedicated show looking at the music of films, also voiced his love for the soundtrack. Speaking on Classic FM, he added: “The Lord of the Rings is legendary in every sense, the storytelling, the world-building and, of course, Howard Shore’s unforgettable music.
“It’s a score that sweeps you away to another world, and I’m not surprised that our listeners have crowned it number one again.
“It was a joy to count down some of the greatest film music ever created and share it with our listeners who seem to love it just as much as me.”
Away from Middle-earth, legendary composer John Williams was a hit in the lists, with his work on Schindler’s List, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park all making it into the top five.
An equally huge name, Hans Zimmer, also made it onto the list with his score for Gladiator coming in the top five, with the soundtrack for Interstellar also getting a nod.