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The Sound of Pictures book cover
The Sound of Pictures
Listening to the Movies, from Hitchcock to High Fidelity
2010
First Published
3.80
Average Rating
322
Number of Pages

The Sound of Pictures is an illuminating journey through the soundtracks of more than 400 films. How do filmmakers play with sound? And how does that affect the way we watch their movies? Whether pop or classical, sweeping or sparse, music plays a crucial role in our cinematic experience. Other sounds can be even more evocative: the sounds of nature, of cities and of voices. In The Sound of Pictures, Andrew Ford listens to the movies. He speaks to acclaimed directors and composers, discovering radically different views about how much music to use and when. And he explores some of cinema’s most curious sonic moments. How did Alfred Hitchcock use music to plant clues in his films? Why do some ‘mix-tape’ soundtracks work brilliantly and others fall flat? How do classics from A Clockwork Orange to The Godfather, Cinema Paradiso to High Noon, use music and sound effects to enhance what we see on screen? Whether you’re a film-buff or a music lover, The Sound of Pictures will enrich your experience of the movies. "Andrew Ford's book is delightfully snippy and entertaining. More importantly, it's also wonderfully informed in a way that will enhance film viewing past, present and future. A hugely enjoyable and revelatory read."—Margaret Pomeranz

Avg Rating
3.80
Number of Ratings
15
5 STARS
13%
4 STARS
53%
3 STARS
33%
2 STARS
0%
1 STARS
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Author

Andrew Ford
Author · 5 books
Andrew Ford is a composer, writer and broadcaster. For twelve years he was in the Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong. He has written nine books and, since 1995, has presented The Music Show each weekend on Radio National.
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