The Soundtrack Space: Stardust

Stardust (2007) is a fantasy-adventure film that follows a hopeful romantic as he journeys to retrieve a star for his love, leading to chaotic adventures. It blends magic, romance, and humour to take the audience on a whirlwind journey. In my opinion, it is seriously underrated. Ilan Eshkeri’s soundtrack for this film encapsulates the magical and romantic elements.  

‘Prologue (Through The Wall)’ is the piece for the opening scene of the film. It opens with a mystical, twinkling sound, accompanied by brass to set up the adventurous tone. The choral notes that are introduced here come to represent magical elements throughout the film. There is already a pace to the music, with bouncy strings and brass. This crescendos before transitioning into a section with wind instruments and repetitive drums to set the scene of the village where Tristan’s father grew up.  

It is injected with fantasy again through subtle vocals

The film’s events revolve around a star, which falls to earth when the King of Stormhold throws a ruby into the sky, claiming that the first of his sons to find the ruby will be the next king. Eshkeri soundtracks this important moment in ‘Shooting Star’, which opens with a sorrowful string melody. This transitions into a loud and dramatic melody of tumbling strings and brass. It is injected with fantasy again through subtle vocals. It ends on an optimistic note, as Tristan and Victoria see the falling star and Tristan promises to retrieve it in return for her hand in marriage. This will prove more complicated than he imagined, as the star has transformed into a woman, Yvaine.  

The main villains of the film are the three witches, led by Lamia. The three witches intend to eat the heart of the fallen star to restore their youth and powers. Their evil is established in ‘Three Witches’, which is tonally distinct from the pieces used so far. It opens with low notes and a militaristic drumbeat, emphasising their threat. It opens out into a dramatic melody of brass and strings to reflect their use of magic.  

Lamia often uses cunning magic to attempt to entrap Yvaine in order to steal her heart. Lamia’s power is demonstrated when she creates an inn for the unwitting Yvaine to stay at. In the piece, ‘Lamia’s Inn’, the threat to Yvaine’s life is exhibited through suspense. The facade of the inn, reflected in the normal, subtle music, then crumbles, as does the music, which escalates into a dramatic melody. Sharp drumbeats punctuate the music as a sense of urgency creeps into the melody. There is a drastic crescendo of discordant trumpets and strings as Tristan fights to rescue Yvaine from Lamia’s clutches.  

Tristan and Yvaine are captured by pirates on a flying ship, providing a fantastical adventure for the pair. ‘Flying Vessel’ captures the wonder of the ship through grand brass and a sweeping string melody. Eshkeri conveys the sense of wonder through the pace of the piece, with rapid strings in the background. The piece crescendos into a booming melody, well-suited for the swashbuckling pirates.  

It is a heartfelt piece, showcasing their developing feelings for one another

‘Tristan & Yvaine’ reflects their blossoming love. It starts as a quiet, slow piece, with a simple melody played on the flute and the clarinet. It develops into a beautiful, romantic melody of layered strings. It is a heartfelt piece, showcasing their developing feelings for one another.  

The film ends with a dramatic and inventive fight sequence. Lamia resurrects Septimus, one of the King’s sons whom she killed on his quest for the ruby (and later Yvaine’s heart). She uses his body to fight Tristan in a chaotic battle soundtracked by ‘Zombie Fight’. It opens with militaristic drums. Eshkeri utilises discordant sounds, such as shrill violin, to highlight danger and also the unnatural nature of this fight with the undead.   

‘The Star Shines’ tracks the final standoff between Lamia and the couple. It is a tense, dramatic piece, utilising loud brass and strings to give the piece greater urgency. It swells into a magical moment with choral sounds to represent Yvaine’s star shine returning, killing Lamia.  

Stardust is a cult classic film because of its wacky mixture of fantasy elements and romance. Eshkeri’s soundtrack works well to showcase the childlike wonder of this film.