The Hills Run Red

Another horror tale that involves lots of jumps, slashes and a rather disagreeable homicidal manic who wears a mask. In the notes the director admits that his film is a fusion of all the 80,s slasher movies and the Texas Chain Saw Massacre, good wholesome family viewing then folks. The score is obviously a shadowy and foreboding one, but it is fashioned and written in such a way that the composer manages to create horror music that has substance and even a theme here and thee, it is a well conceived and highly polished work that utilises traditional orchestral sounds alongside synthesised sound design and effects, these however pale in the light of the of the driving and unyielding orchestral score, Wiedmann brings into play female vocals and combines these with restrained placing of woodwind that is supported by intense and piercing strings, angry sounding almost growling brass, booming and frenzied percussion and the odd addition of delicately plucked harp and also solo piano that takes on the air of menace and is sinister sounding when employed. Although one would be hard pressed to find something that is, shall we say easy on the ear, this is a score that beckons and entices the listener on to explore each and every cue, whether it be mournful sounding woods, ominous low strings or even a soft rock orientated cue that rears its head midway through that is complete with a distinct sounding female vocal that adds depth and originality to the said composition. The Hills Run Red is one of these shocker movies that people of my generation find a little bemusing, why does the girl stay there when she knows this maniac is on the prowl ? Why does she go into the room when there is no light, I guess we will never know, I do know however that Wiedmann,s score is something of a thinking mans horror soundtrack, intelligently constructed and excellently performed by the Czech Film Orchestra.