There's numerous question on here about favourite examples of sound usage in a film, but what's everyone's favourite film about sound? I know it's a limited genre, but worthwhile compiling a list for everyone to draw from!

Last week, I got the opportunity to go to the premiere here in Dublin of the film Silence by Pat Collins. It's a docu-drama of sorts, about a sound recordist returning home to Ireland to record natural ambiance away from any man made noise.
It is hauntingly beautiful, with amazing cinematography and a wonderfully philosophical meditation on silence and the effect it has on people.

Site here: http://silencefilm.ie/

10 Answers 10


Soundtracker - A Portrait Of Gordon Hempton


The guy is a legend!

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  • I still haven't been able to see this one. Probably just going to have to buy it. – Shaun Farley Mar 1 '12 at 12:38
  • Thanks for sharing that! Just noticed its available on iTunes so will get around to watching that soon. – Andy Lewis Mar 1 '12 at 17:17

Plus one for Touch the Sound.

There's a great old newsreel called "Back of the Mike" which shows a radio play performance in action, complete with live sound effects performance. You can watch it here.

I also dig "Fog City Mavericks" a documentary about Bay Area Filmmakers (Coppola, Lucas etc.) and how they influenced the cinema world, including film sound. You can watch the entire doc here.

There are also great docs about Theramin and Moog out there which are worth a watch if you're interested in pioneers of electronic sound.

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  • +1000000 for Fog City Mavericks. I was born north of San Fran in a city called Corte Madeira. Fell in love with this flick - it's free on Hulu but I bought it off iTunes for $2. – Utopia Mar 1 '12 at 20:58
  • For non American's the director has put it on Vimeo himself: vimeo.com/12565608 – Arnoud Traa Mar 5 '12 at 14:07

Touch the Sound. It's a documentary about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf percussionist (and an amazing one at that). The first 17=20 minutes is primarily sound montage...there's some dialog in that stretch, but it's very sparse.

It's a must watch for any sound editor/designer/mixer, in my humble opinion.

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  • Thanks for the tip! Am watching it now, awesome stuff. The film editor also did a great job btw, the scene in the railway station is so exciting! – Arnoud Traa Mar 3 '12 at 19:31
  • Just finished watching, beautifully captured and made. I really loved the scene where she was teaching the deaf girl, very moving. And the credits roll was also great. – Arnoud Traa Mar 3 '12 at 20:57

Hands down "Modern Romance"

The famous "space floor" scene -


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  • loved that!! :) – Andy Lewis Mar 1 '12 at 17:08
  • "You saved the picture..." classic. – Justin P Mar 1 '12 at 18:12

What about the film Blow out. Havent actually watched it yet but the main character is a sound recordist who accidently records the sound of a murder! chilling stuff...

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  • Not just a main character, but John Travolta! – Brendan Rehill Mar 2 '12 at 10:32

I was totally blown away by Trimpin, the sound of invention.


If you've not seen it, you must!

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There was quite an intersting one I saw recently about Pierre Henry which can still be found on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uVCYL8zVBk

Worth a look especially if you're into your music concrete ;)

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Tim Prebble noted on his blog the movie "Diva". I watched it and liked it a lot.

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My favourite movie scene is in Sneakers - When Whistler is navigating by sound.

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Well quite literally "The Sound of Noise" is also a great film!


Great question!

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