Min He's score for the Chinese war film Railway Heroes is released via Plaza Mayor Company Ltd. The movie follows the story of a Counter-Japanese Underground Armed Force of the Communist Party in Shandong during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The historical narrative focuses on a brave group of ordinary heroes known as the “Lunan Railway Brigade” who desperately fight to defend their homeland…

The score for Railway Heroes represents a strong, passionate collection of tracks (19 in total - 35 min, 59 sec). It's diverse, emotive and beautifully put together. This is another example of a score that works just as wonderfully outside of the film it was composed for, as well as adding much depth and character in the movie.

Unusually, I was hardly ever taken out of the experience by hearing passages that sounded like other composers work. The only exception was a tiny passage on 'The Sunrise' which appeared to pay homage to John Williams's work on Saving Private Ryan.

If you're looking for a lovingly crafted collection of original themes you'll be delighted with what He delivers here.

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Darren Rea