The Final Conflict: Omen 3 - Soundtrack CD

"The Final Conflict' is the worst of the trilogy of 'Omen' films, yet it arguably boasts the finest musical score. Jerry Goldsmith well and truly surpasses himself with this one.

The Main Title is tremendous, announcing itself with an outburst of French horns, the power of which recalls Modest Mussorgsky at his darkest. It is followed by male and female choirs, a signature of all the Omen scores though employed here in a more sophisticated manner, building layer upon layer of voices which seem to surge outwards like a sea of sound. What strikes the listener also is that 'Ave Satani' is nowhere to be heard, Goldsmith wisely and bravely choosing to take the music in a different direction for this film.

As befitting a film that realises the Antichrist's rise to power, the score to "The Final Conflict' is characterised by a sense of dominance, threat and power, achieved chiefly through its use of choirs and brass, who drive the music forwards in an exhilerating and often frightening manner (particularly in the Main Title and in the slow, tense build-up of 'The Blooding Reel' which makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end).

Elsewhere the chills are more disquieting - the electronic echoes of the score from 'Damien: Omen II' in the climax of 'The Lost Children' work their way under your skin in a truly unsettling way. And elsewhere still, their is respite from the horror - the pastoral themes of 'The Hunt' gallop along quite nicely (before the brass section gets hold of the reigns and takes the music in an altogether darker neck of the woods).

The finale 'The Final Conflict' is perhaps the score's finest moment (after all, if you can't pull all the stops out for the Second Coming then when can you?). Its juxtaposition of what I can only call 'Christs theme' with the Main Title provides a climax to remember. There's also a chiming in the background that sounds like it is lifted from Goldsmith's 'Alien' score ('Alien vs Jesus' - now there's an idea studio execs!).

No doubt about it, 'The Final Conflict: Omen III' is a truly masterful score, and one of Jerry Goldsmith's greatest achievements. If only the film could have been more deserving of it...