I just watched “The Mind Benders” a fascinating film directed by Basil Dearden and starring Dirk Bogarde about the alleged dangers of sensory depravation, a topic that predates “Altered States” by ten years. The score was by French composer Georges Auric (1899 – 1983). The score seems over-composed, like he’s working too hard. It takes the mickey-mousing technique of music following action to an extreme that becomes tiresome. His technique is flawless, the music is lovely: it just tries too hard. Dearden clearly wanted it as there are whole stretches of the film where there is no sound or dialog, just music.
Nonetheless, this was an interesting film and one worth watching, and hearing.
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