QUEEN Helps Create Majestic Score To 'The Alps'

Rock climbing and classic rock royalty QUEEN come together seamlessly in "The Alps", a compelling giant screen film for IMAX Theaters that captures a spiritual, life-changing journey by one of America's most acclaimed mountaineers, atop one of the world's most celebrated, yet treacherous peaks. The score of this film is a powerful collaboration of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers QUEEN with award-winning musical composer Steve Wood and director Steve Judson. "The Alps" is rolling out in markets across the country throughout the spring and summer.

"The Alps" is the latest project for giant screen theaters from two-time Academy Award-nominated producers MacGillvray Freeman Films, who have a longtime reputation for recruiting legendary musical icons to collaborate on their films — including the blockbuster "Everest", which featured sanctioned renditions of classics by GEORGE HARRISON, "The Living Sea" and "Dolphins", with STING, "Journey Into Amazing Caves", with THE MOODY BLUES, and "Coral Reef Adventure", with CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH. "The Alps" is an emotional story about one of America's well-known rock climbers, John Harlin III, as he embarked on the most perilous and meaningful ascent he had ever taken: an attempt to scale the Eiger North Face, the legendary mountain that took his renowned father's life.

The stunning visuals in "The Alps" are brilliantly complemented by the powerful, inspirational songs of QUEEN. Guitarist Brian May plays his trademark fluid virtuoso solos on some of the re-arrangements, including orchestrated takes of favorites such as "Who Wants To Live Forever" and "It's A Beautiful Day", and less familiar fare like "Bijou", as well as on moving pieces by Wood.

"QUEEN's music has a real edge, and the challenge was to combine it with orchestral music that reflected the more spiritual, mystical nature of the Alps," Wood says. "Ultimately, I hoped to create something that, like the film, has a kind of distance and grandeur and reflects the story of human beings facing something larger than themselves." Like the subject matter itself, Brian's guitar solos are full of incredible peaks and valleys that help enrich the giant screen experience. "Brian's soaring style took the emotional level up a notch and made everything fit — that's where the seam became seamless. It was very inspirational working with Brian — he was super enthusiastic and a positive force," says Wood.

QUEEN's involvement with "The Alps" is a surefire match. The band — formed in the 1970s by May, late singer Freddie Mercury, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon — has either been performing or contributing original material to major films for decades, starting with their "Flash Gordon" debut in 1981. Plus, their style has an over-the-top, cinematic flair which translates well to cinema. Their characteristic blend of musical skill and theatrical showmanship made them one of the most influential bands of the era.

For "The Alps", Wood and the film's director were also thrilled to learn that members of QUEEN have been long-time residents of Switzerland who have found their own creative inspiration there. Says Wood: "I discovered that these guys love the Alps, enjoy the mountains and are steeped in the local history of mountaineering, They were very enthusiastic about the project and brought not only their incredible back-catalogue of songs, but a great spirit to the project." Indeed, a shot of Alpine peaks graces the cover of their final album with Mercury, "Made in Heaven".

"The Alps" is produced by MacGillvray Freeman Films and presented by Holcim and Switzerland Tourism in association with 4iS Four Eyes AG. The film is executive produced by Alexander Biner, produced by Greg MacGillvray and Mark Krenzien, and directed by Stephen Judson who also edited and co-wrote the film with co-writer Stephen Venables. Brad Ohlund is the director of photography, Michael Brown is director of mountain photography and Ron Goodman is director of aerial photography.