Interstellar- Hans Zimmer Music

Hans Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He is known widely for his film scores in The Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, and The Dark Knight Trilogy. In this blog I will discuss the use of his music on the film Interstellar, and how Zimmer uses his music in this film to create a deeper emotional connection between the audience and the story.

In the film ‘Interstellar’, directed by Christopher Nolan, Zimmer takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster as the feelings created by the depth of the music impact on the viewers.

Orchestra set up in Temple Church, London & Hans Zimmer on Organ

During pre-production and the creation of the musical score, Nolan only gave Zimmer a small part of the dialogue and one day to compose a score for the film.  Without knowing much about it at all, Zimmer came up with what would become the musical score for the film.  This is unusual as Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White say in ‘The Film Experience,’ that the score of a film is related directly to the story of the film (Corrigan and White: 2012 p198). Being oblivious to what the film was about and without knowledge of the main details, Zimmer was free to use creative licence and explore his own feelings. This gave the music a more human feel, which was perfect for the film as it is about the survival of the human race.  An example of the link between the music and the human theme is with the use of organs, as they can be used to represent the human breath. This is supported by Nolan who said, “You hear a human presence in every sound,” when describing the human qualities of the organ (YouTube; 2014)

Nolan and Zimmer discussing the score

Zimmer utilised the organ as an added element in his music, and it was used throughout most of the Interstellar soundtrack as a recurring element in the musical score which connected the film from the beginning to the end.  

 As said by Corrigan and White, “Music is a crucial element in the film experience… it provides rhythm and deepens emotional response” (Corrigan and White: 2012 p195).  This quote describes Zimmer’s music perfectly as it connects the audience to the feelings and the emotions of the characters in the film, and to the story that is being told.

Cooper (McConaughey) and Murph (Foy)

The music contributes to the different waves of emotions as the tempo and rhythm of the music change in certain parts of the film. For example, when Cooper, the lead male character, tries to leave his family on good terms, his daughter resents him for leaving her. During this scene the music, which is called ‘Stay’, is very subtle and quiet at first. The rhythm is gentle and light, representing the young innocence Copper is leaving behind on Earth, which is his daughter. Then as the realisation that he will be gone for longer than expected sets in, the music starts to build in tempo, creating a sense of urgency. As the violins start, a feeling of desperation is created and this is felt by the viewers. This desperation is for both Copper and his daughter, leaving the audience with sympathetic and heartrending feelings for both Cooper and his daughter. In comparison, the score ‘No Time for Caution’ is more on edge and harsher than ‘Stay’.  The score is used during the epic docking scene to create a feeling of suspense when they have to dock the Lander ship on to a spinning Endurance spaceship. The beginning of this part of the musical score is likened to the ticking of a clock, as time is an important theme in this film.  It then evolves into a harsh and intense musical background. This definitely sets the tone and links the intense feelings created in this scene, to the viewers who are on the edge of their seats whilst watching.

These two underscoring music pieces are very different in style and function, and engender different emotions in the viewers during those particular scenes, further strengthening the emotional connection between the audience and the storyline of the film.

 

 

 

Referencing:

‘Interstellar Music Featurette - Hans Zimmer's score.’ YouTube, published November 26^th 2014. Accessed on 22^nd of April at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AYSrRtfxUo

Corrigan T, and Patricia White. "The Film Experience; An Introduction: Third Edition." Boston, New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012.

Photos:

Kaye, Don. "Hans Zimmer Talks About Scoring Interstellar, and Why Batman Needs a New Theme." Published by Den of Geeks, 21st November 2014, Accssed 22nd of April at http://www.denofgeek.us/movies/hans-zimmer/241533/hans-zimmer-talks-about-scoring-interstellar-and-why-batman-needs-a-new-theme