Dunkirk OST shows two contrasts: the theme song and no.15 Variation15

Before watching Dunkirk, my recommendation is to listen first to the theme song a couple of times, which has only 1’54”. Then while watching the film, you will feel especially on the beats that show time pressure.

This theme song utilized the beat of the walking second hand in pocket watch through. At 0’06” presented the sound of air raid alarm, then again at 0’31”. At 0’20”, two notes kept switching dully and a third note joined sometimes, until the end. In the middle, you would hear that cello prolonged a single note to create tension, as well as hitting beats to present shells bombing in the war.

It’s really impressive how Hans Zimmer used pocket watch’s second hand to construct a complete song – he should be nominated for Oscar’s best soundtrack award.

Please search on Dunkirk (2017) - Dunkirk (Main Movie Theme) Soundtrack | Cinescene YouTube.

“Time” is the element in the whole movie. As time past by, land force on shore should run away from Dunkirk as soon as possible. The pilot in the sky looked at his watch, recoding the rest of fuel to go back home. Through the film, the soundtrack presented the time urgency everywhere – the time chases the notes while the notes go after the time.

Before relieving from crisis, soundtrack’s beats were very compact and clear, but also showed no melody. It seemed to show that the brain couldn’t include any thoughts at that time and save your own life was the only goal.

Soft and beautiful soundtracks only existed at the end of the film. As pilot Collins finished wiping out enemies in the sky, the fuel was also empty. This scene showed a plane with non-functioning propellers slid down along the coast, towards the west with the falling sun.The soundtrack at that time was track no.15, which showed releasing and comforting. Collins sacrificed himself – told the land force that crisis has been relieved and they could still see the sunlight tomorrow. The slow and hopeful melody showed a strong contrast from the extreme and breathless soundtracks before.

My after-film thought was: I show my respect to the air force!

Please search Variation 15 - Dunkirk (Dunkirk OST) on YouTube.