White Fang

The 1991 Disney film White Fang bears the distinction of having two scores not only written and recorded for it, but also largely used in the film. Basil Poledouris composed in a rich, orchestral Americana vein for the movie, while Hans Zimmer provided a contemporary European-style score—sometimes mystical, sometimes pulsating and adventurous—that blended orchestra with thick electronic textures.

Poledouris' approach apparently fell out of favor at some point with the filmmakers and Zimmer was hired to write a new score in very little time—before, in fact, Poledouris finished recording his score, which involved some alternate approaches to his original cues. The two men's recording dates actually overlapped at one point, with Poledouris' final session occurring just as Zimmer was beginning to record his score. But despite the hiring of Zimmer, the bulk of Poledouris' score was ultimately retained.

Nonetheless, much of Hans Zimmer's music made it into the finished film as well, and sometimes the two composer's approaches stand beside one another in the same scene. In general, however, Zimmer's approach to action superseded Poledouris', while Poledouris' warm Americana melodies and his evocations of the beauty of the natural world remained in the film.

For this premiere release of both scores, Intrada was given access to the complete stereo elements stored in the Disney vaults, all in perfect shape. Both scores are presented as originally conceived in this 2-CD set, with Zimmer's presentation also including additional music by Fiachra Trench and "The Bear Attack" composed by Shirley Walker.

Basil Poledouris conducts his score, which was recorded in Burbank, California; Shirley Walker conducts Hans Zimmer's score, recorded at Air-Edel Studios in London.

Based on Jack London's 1906 follow-up to his popular novel, The Call of the Wild, White Fang stars Ethan Hawke as Jack Conroy, a young man eager to follow in his late father's footsteps by joining gold prospectors in turn-of-the-century Alaska. Conroy hooks up with an old friend of his father, Alex Larson (Klaus Maria Brandauer), and Larson's partner, Skunker (Seymour Cassel). Early in the film, Skunker suffers a violent death, killed by a wolf pack that has been stalking the trio. Unknown to Conroy and Larson, the encounter results in the death of Kiche, a wolf mother, and the orphaning of White Fang, a half dog, half wolf pup that will eventually grow to adulthood and form a powerful bond with Jack Conroy.

This Intrada Special Collection 2-CD release is available while quantities and interest remain.