Emperor (Soundtrack) by Alex Heffes - Review

Imperial Melodies

Review by Steven Sharratt

EMPEROR is a film set in the days immediately following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II and is based on the book "His Majesty’s Salvation" by Shiro Okamoto. It follows the true story of General Bonner Fellers (played by Matthew Fox) who is working for General Douglas MacArthur (Tommy Lee Jones) as a Japanese expert. He is tasked with investigating what role Emperor Hirohito had to play in World War II and whether he should be tried as a war criminal. Interwoven with this is Fellers’ emotional search for Aya, a Japanese exchange student he met years earlier.

EMPEROR was scored by ALEX HEFFES, a British composer mainly known for his work in TV and documentaries. However, in more recent years he has become a more recognised face in film by providing critically acclaimed scores for films like THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (2006), STATE OF PLAY (2009) and THE RITE (2011). This is mainly in part to his ability to write for a full orchestra with interestingly melodies – something we’re finding more of a rarity in Hollywood these days.  So it’s great to see Heffes’ use these talents again here. 

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The Rite (Soundtrack) by Alex Heffes - Review

“All the Rite Stuff”
By: Marius Masalar

Like many other good films before it, THE RITE is based on a book. But director Mikael Håfström read more than just Matt Baglio’s The Making Of A Modern Exorcist to prepare for the film’s production, attending several exorcisms and working alongside one of the book’s actual characters, Father Gary Thomas, who served as a consultant for the film. Some of this may seem unusual for your average horror flick, and that is where many viewers might find their first surprise with THE RITE: it’s really not a horror film at all.

The story is more about a young man finding his way, and the exorcisms and supernatural subject matter are treated with dignity and restraint, never straying into the needlessly showy. Which is just what one would expect from a film from the same producers as The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Rest assured though: THE RITE may not be a straight-up horror film, but it has chills to deliver.

The film’s sophisticated tone is due in no small part to ALEX HEFFES, a critically lauded UK film composer best known for his work on such award winning films as The Last King of Scotland and Touching the Void. For THE RITE, HEFFES has prepared a score that treats its subject delicately and beautifully, not resorting to excessive scare tactics. The effect is one of glorious poignancy and restraint, and it serves to elevate the film from generic thriller to thought-provoking supernatural drama.

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The Rite Soundtrack by Alex Heffes - Track Listing

On 8th February, Silva Screen Records is releasing THE RITE.  THE RITE is a new score from ALEX HEFFES, boundary-defying composer of The Last King Of Scotland, Touching The Void and State Of Play. The supernatural thriller is directed by Mikael Håfström and stars Anthony Hopkins.


1. The Farewell (7:13)
2. The Procedure (2:00)
3. Going to Rome (3:10)
4. The Accident (2:46)
5. The First Exorcism (3:07)
6. God's Fingernail (2:27)
7. Rosaria Coughs up the Nails (4:34)
8. Michael Remembers/The Hospital (7:12)
9. Angeline's Story (3:02)
10. Phone call to Father (2:02)
11. The Terror is Real (4:24)
12. Exorcism of Lucas Part 1 (7:33)
13. The Final Exorcism (6:41)

You can pre-order and listen to soundclips at AmazonMP3.