Elmer Bernstein
SoundAbout Elmer Bernstein
Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004) was an American composer and conductor best known for his many film scores. In a career which spanned fifty years, he composed music for hundreds of film and television productions. His most popular works include the scores to The Magnificent Seven, The Ten Commandments, The Great Escape, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ghostbusters, The Black Cauldron, Airplane!, and The Rookies. Bernstein won an Oscar for his score to Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) and was nominated for fourteen Oscars in total. He also won two Golden Globes and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. Bernstein wrote the theme songs or other music for more than 200 films and TV shows, including The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Ten Commandments (1956), The Man with the Golden Arm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Robot Monster, and the fanfare used in the National Geographic television specials. His theme for The Magnificent Seven is also familiar to television viewers, as it was used in commercials for Marlboro cigarettes. Bernstein also provided the score to many of the short films of Ray and Charles Eames. In 1961 Bernstein co-founded Äva Records an American record label based in Los Angeles together with Fred Astaire, Jackie Mills and Tommy Wolf.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Elmer Bernstein reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 10 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Documentary
The majority of Elmer Bernstein's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 50% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Elmer Bernstein remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Making of 'Cape Fear', which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Elmer Bernstein Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Elmer Bernstein's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Elmer Bernstein.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Making of 'Cape Fear' | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Frank Sinatra Memorial | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2000 | Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven' | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Making 'Taxi Driver' | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion | Self - Composer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Fearful Symmetry | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Bible According to Hollywood | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Innocence and Experience: The Making of 'The Age of Innocence' | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Music for the Movies: Bernard Herrmann | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | From Noon Till Three | Songwriter (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Elmer Bernstein - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Elmer Bernstein?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Elmer Bernstein is "The Making of 'Cape Fear'" with a rating of 7.3/10.
How many movies has Elmer Bernstein acted in?
Elmer Bernstein has been featured in at least 10 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Elmer Bernstein?
Other notable films include "The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion", "Making 'Taxi Driver'", and "Guns for Hire: The Making of 'The Magnificent Seven'".