Mark Knopfler - guitarist and local hero

Mark Knopfler's music career started in a big way with the group "Dire Straits". They had a string of hits including "Sultans of Swing" and "Tunnel of Love", and reached their peak in the mid-80s with the album "Brothers in Arms". As guitarist and lead singer, Knopfler gained a huge amount of practical experience which led to a solo career, numerous collaborations with music legends, and a highly successful career as an composer. One of the avenues for his composition skills was to be the cinema, and he has composed the soundtracks for a number of films. Those soundtracks exhibit Knopfler's background in pop music and a subtle celtic influence, but also a degree of experimentation beyond those boundaries. Being Scottish it was appropriate that he scored the film "Local Hero" which was set in Scotland, with its catchy theme tune "Going Home", and also the Scottish Football drama "A Shot at Glory".

However, Knopfler's music can just as easily bridge the Atlantic for an American setting. "Last Exit to Brooklyn" features some haunting lyrical themes which perhaps remind the listener of some of the works of Morricone. The satirical movie "Wag the Dog" about spin doctors masterminding the information and mis-information stakes in the run up to a presidential election, features Knopfler's music in a folk/country style. The film also stars Willie Nelson playing the part of a song-writer creating new (and old) songs to inspire the nation. Knopfler himself sometimes plays guitar on his soundtracks, and has made numerous appearances at various events raising funds for charity with music and/or comedy sketches.

Films by Mark Knopfler:

• Local Hero - a Scottish yet modern feel to this music
• Cal
• Comfort and Joy
• The Princess Bride
• Last Exit to Brooklyn - recommended for those recurring melodies
• A Shot at Glory - a Scottish football drama
• Wag the Dog - on screen, Willie Nelson orchestrates the music behind the presidential distraction campaign while Knopfler's soundtrack provides country sounds and stirring national pride
• Robbie the Reindeer (aka "Hooves of Fire") - a Christmas animation film for TV with an all star cast of voices

Recommendations:

There is an album called "Mark Knopfler - Screenplaying" which features various themes from "Cal", "Last Exit to Brooklyn", "The Princess Bride" and "Local Hero". This is available from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. There is also some sheet music to accompany this album with the same tracks arranged for piano or keyboard with guitar chords. Unfortunately this is much harder to find than the album itself and we have been unable to find an online source for it, but you might be lucky enough to find it in stores.

The soundtrack to "Last Exit to Brooklyn" is also recommended, from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. And "Local Hero" itself is a favourite for its Celtic roots, from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

There is a comprehensive yet unofficial fan-site dedicated to Knopfler at www.knopfler.net covering all his music activities.