Norwegian World War II action thriller Max Manus tells the true story about one of the most brilliant saboteurs during the war. The original orchestral music for the film is composed by one of Norway's leading film composers, Trond Bjerknes, who penned an accurately dark and exciting score accompanying the suspense and drama of the film - and the inner conflicts experienced by the film's hero. Bjerknes's previous scores include Swedish action hit Hamilton and the Norwegian horror film Dark Woods...

Trond Bjerknes's orchestral score for Max Manus is a mood setting album that offer plenty of mellow themes and atmospheric set pieces

The score's opening track, 'Opening', has at it's centre a beautifully haunting theme that leaves you wanting to hear more. This is followed by 'The Window Jumper' which starts slowly and builds to a climatic crescendo.

The only slight complaint is that quite a few of the tracks are atmospheric pieces and may not be to everyone's tastes as they don't tend to go anywhere. Otherwise this is an enjoyable soundtrack which starts well and then showcases the composers ability to weave hauntingly moving themes.

8

Darren Rea