The movie Bless Me, Ultima is based on the 1972 novel by Rudolfo Anaya. The film is set set in New Mexico in the 1940s and is a powerful coming-of-age story that follows 6-year old Antonio Marez and a curandera (folk healer named Ultima...

Mark Kilian's score for Bless Me, Ultima is interesting - and certainly a score I'd recommend if you've seen and enjoyed the movie. If you haven't, then a lot of the tracks may feel a little flat and atmospheric.

As well as a full orchestra, Kilian used ethnic instruments and vocals to give the desired flavour that would incorporate Native American, Mexican, Spanish, African, religious, tribal, classical and spiritual sentiments. To this end he used flamenco vocals, African wood percussion, Aztec shakers, Tibetan cymbals, Spanish guitar, charango and ronroco (from South America), Aeolian harps and Native American flutes (which he played himself to give it a child-like imperfect sound).

There are some interesting tracks here, including 'Brothers Return' and the beautiful 'End Credits'

Sadly, this is yet another Kilian score (like 41, American Flyer and Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day) that shows incredible promise, but just falls a little short of being a soundtrack that is packed to bursting with interesting and moving themes.

On balance, though, this is an interesting score.

7

Darren Rea