Sakamoto is one of the great film composers, I’d say. He’s not as well-known as a lot of composers because he makes a lot of odd choices, like this movie for instance, a mostly forgotten film about a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He turned in a great score for The Revenant and, in a real twist, did some of his most gorgeous work for the absolutely forgettable De Palma flick, Snake Eyes. Here he’s working in an electronic mode and there is a lot of dissonance and synths here. The album is mostly just kind of atmospheric, but the dark atmosphere makes the moments of beauty really stand out. The central theme of this score is absolutely lovely. It’s given a great reading in the title track and then again in an even more ethereal track called Father Christmas. The album ends with a vocal version of the track by David Sylvian and his voice is strange and singular enough that it fits perfectly. Also featured here are a couple of minimal vocal versions of Ride, Ride, Ride, a traditional song and an absolutely beautiful version of the 23rd Psalm. At only a bit over forty minutes, this album goes by really fast and there’s always a surprise just around the corner. I think it’s a great score and a great soundtrack. A great way to get acquainted with Sakamoto and one that still stands up on repeated listens. 4 stars.
tl;dr – strange score is a mix of electronic atmospherics, gorgeous lyrical themes, beautiful treatments of traditional songs; somehow it coheres into a constantly surprising, wonderful soundtrack. 4 stars.