Distant Voices, Still Lives Soundtrack (

Distant Voices, Still Lives Soundtrack (1988) cover

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Rating: 7.40/10 from 5200 votes
Alternate Names:
Title in Español:

Voces distantes

Synopsis

The second film in Terence Davies's autobiographical series ('Trilogy', 'The Long Day Closes') is an impressionistic view of a working-class family in 1940s and 1950s Liverpool, based on Davies's own family.

The first part, 'Distant Voices', opens with grown siblings Eileen (Angela Walsh), Maisie (Lorraine Ashbourne) and Tony (Dean Williams), and their mother (Freda Dowie) arranged in mourning clothes before the photograph of their smiling father (Pete Postlethwaite).

Soon after, the family poses in a similar tableau, but for a happier occasion - Eileen's wedding. While relatives sing at her reception, Eileen hysterically grieves for her dad, and recalls happy times of her youth. Tony and Maisie's memories, however, are more troubled.

Davies intermingles and contrasts scenes like the family peacefully lighting candles in church with the brutal man beating his wife and terrorizing his young children.

In 'Still Lives', set (and filmed) two years later, the siblings are settled in life, but not all happily. For Eileen, relief from her drab existence comes only when singing at the pub.

With his skillfully composed frames and evocative use of music in place of dialogue, Davies creates a lovely, affecting photo album of a troubled family wrestling with the complexity of love.

Download and play the Soundtrack list

Play Title Artist
Distant Voices, Still Lives
There's a Man Goin' Round
Jessye Norman: Performer
Taking a Chance on Love
Ella Fitzgerald: Performer
Vernon Duke: Writer
The Finger of Suspicion
Oh, Mein Papa
Hymn to the Virgin
In the Bleak Midwinter
Love Is a Many-Splendoured Thing
Vaughan Williams Pastoral Symphony

User reviews

Robert Green
10/10

The soundtrack's ability to convey a range of emotions without the need for dialogue was truly remarkable. It felt like a character in its own right, guiding the audience through the ups and downs of the family's journey with a sense of grace and sensitivity. Overall, the music in Distant Voices, Still Lives left a lasting impression on me, elevating the film to a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

Daniel Mitchell
8/10

The soundtrack's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, while also conveying moments of hope and resilience, showcases the versatility and emotional range of the film's musical score.

Margaret Carter
5/10

The juxtaposition of joy and sorrow in the soundtrack mirrors the bittersweet nature of the characters' lives, capturing the beauty and pain of their shared experiences with a delicate balance of musical themes that resonate long after the film ends.

Andrew Moore
5/10

The musical motifs in Distant Voices, Still Lives evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, mirroring the characters' own reminiscences and regrets as they navigate the complexities of familial relationships and personal histories.

Edward Allen
5/10

The use of music in place of dialogue by director Terence Davies adds a layer of depth and poignancy to the storytelling, allowing the audience to connect with the characters on a more profound level through the evocative melodies that underscore their struggles and joys.

Richard Lewis
2/10

Additionally, I felt that the soundtrack was repetitive and monotonous, with a limited range of musical themes that did not evolve or build upon each other throughout the film. This lack of musical variety made the viewing experience feel stagnant and less engaging, detracting from the overall impact of the storytelling.

Matthew Taylor
3/10

The soundtrack of Distant Voices, Still Lives did not resonate with me as I had hoped. I found the music to be overly somber and lacking in emotional depth, failing to connect me to the characters' experiences and struggles. It felt disconnected from the narrative and did not enhance the storytelling in a meaningful way.

Donald Campbell
5/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Distant Voices, Still Lives is a masterful complement to the visual narrative, enhancing the emotional depth and resonance of the film with its haunting melodies and poignant compositions that linger in the mind, echoing the enduring legacy of family bonds and the passage of time.

George Wilson
9/10

The haunting and melancholic melodies of the soundtrack in Distant Voices, Still Lives perfectly capture the emotional depth and complexity of the film's narrative. Each note seemed to resonate with the pain and joy experienced by the characters, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Richard Harris
10/10

The music elegantly weaved its way through the film, seamlessly transitioning between scenes of celebration and sorrow, mirroring the intricate dynamics within the working-class family portrayed on screen. It added a layer of poignancy to the already poignant storytelling, drawing me further into the characters' lives and struggles.

James Wilson
8/10

The hauntingly beautiful orchestral pieces in the soundtrack of Distant Voices, Still Lives perfectly capture the emotional depth of the film's narrative, enhancing the poignant moments of family joy and sorrow.

George Martinez
8/10

The use of music in place of dialogue by Terence Davies adds a layer of intimacy to the storytelling, allowing the audience to connect deeply with the characters' inner struggles and conflicting memories.

William Roberts
5/10

The soundtrack enhances the visual storytelling in the film, creating a harmonious blend of sight and sound that elevates the viewing experience and transports the audience into the world of the characters, their memories, and their inner turmoil.

Michael Thompson
6/10

The haunting and melancholic melodies in the soundtrack of Distant Voices, Still Lives perfectly capture the somber and nostalgic mood of the film, immersing the audience in the emotional journey of the working-class family in 1940s and 1950s Liverpool.