By now, the one thing you’ve likely heard about Christopher Nolan‘s “Dunkirk” is that it needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible. That’s certainly true, but the one element that makes the film a gloriously nerve-wracking experience is Hans Zimmer‘s coiling, unrelenting score. “Dunkirk” features minimal dialogue, which means the score carries a greater weight for transmitting the emotions of the film, and Zimmer does that, and much more.
The standout track, and the one most indicative of the score’s power, is the epic “Supermarine.” It’s a perfect example of Zimmer’s tightly wound approach, which was inspired by the sound of Nolan’s ticking wrist watch, and rarely gives the audience a moment to breathe. “The Oil” is similarly anxiety inducing, and really, you might want to hold off on listening to this if you’re feeling particularly stressed out. All told, this might be some of the best work of Zimmer’s career.
“Dunkirk” is in cinemas today. Don’t miss it.