Rhino’s ‘History Boys’ soundtrack spotlights eclectic mix of music

By Patrick Luce Nov 12, 2006, 22:01 GMT

After winning five Tonys earlier this year-including honors for Best Play-The History Boys is set to conquer the big screen this November with Fox Searchlight's film adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon.

Rhino Records brings together the film's biggest musical moments with a soundtrack that features classic alternative rock cuts from the '80s, cast recordings, and more. ‘The History Boys Original Soundtrack’ will be available November 21 for a suggested retail price of $18.98.

Featuring 14 songs, the film's soundtrack helps evoke the story's setting in 1980s England with songs such as The Smiths' "This Charming Man," New Order's "Blue Monday," The Clash's "Mustapha Dance," The Cure's "A Forest," and more. The album also includes the cast's unforgettable send-up of "Bye Bye Blackbird" along with performances of "L'Accordeoniste" and "Bewitched" by cast members Samuel Barnett and Richard Sission. In addition, the soundtrack contains a cover of "Bewitched" that Rufus Wainwright recorded exclusively for the film.
 
The History Boys tells the story of an unruly class of bright, funny history students in pursuit of an undergraduate place at Oxford or Cambridge. The movie is set to debut in New York and Los Angeles on November 21 and will be released wide in the following weeks.

The big screen adaptation of the five time Tony award-winning play utilizes the same talent that originally brought the production to the stage. It is directed by Nicholas Hytner from a script adapted for the screen by the playwright Alan Bennett. The stage version premiered to the world in London's prestigious National Theatre in 2004, winning audience and critical acclaim alike including Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Play, Best Director (Nicholas Hytner) and Best Actor (Richard Griffiths), as well as Evening Standard and Critics Circle Awards for Best Play. The production will premiere on Broadway in the spring of 2006.

‘The History Boys Original Soundtrack’ is available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the soundtrack database for more information.