This is a post about the music, particularly the musical motifs, in the film Dr. Strange directed by Scott Derrickson with music by Michael Giacchino.

Tracklist:

  1. Ancient Sorcerer’s Secret
  2. The Hands Dealt
  3. A Long Strange Trip
  4. The Eyes Have It
  5. Mystery Training
  6. Reading Is Fundamental
  7. Inside the Mirror Dimension
  8. The True Purpose of the Sorcerer
  9. Sanctimonious Sanctum Sacking
  10. Astral Doom
  11. Post Op Paracosm
  12. Hippocratic Hypocrite
  13. Smote and Mirrors
  14. Ancient History
  15. Hong Kong Kablooey
  16. Astral World’s Worst Killer
  17. Strange Days Ahead
  18. Go for Baroque
  19. The Master of the Mystic End Credits

In this post, the times used will refer to the time in the track, not the time in the movie

Ancient Sorcerer’s Secret

This song plays during the first battle scene between the Ancient One and Kaecilius.

The main motif, which I’ll call the Kamar Taj motif, is first heard at 0:27. It introduces the motif with its iconic lone horn sound, with also a brief twang on the sitar. The sitar becomes a key instrument later on in the film.

The motif is heard again at 1:27, in full this time.

At 2:18, what I call the Strange motif is heard for the first time. That’s the motif that plays when the cloak of levitation first comes to Strange. I noted that it comes after the battle has concluded, as the Ancient One steps through the portal.

Hands Dealt

This song starts playing as Stephen begins reviewing the scans of his hands. At the next scene, we see Stephen from through the window. Christine helps him shave as he is unable to do it himself.

At 2:08, one might expect the same melody of the song to continue, but instead we hear the Kamar Taj motif. It appears slow, and sad, but it’s there. Its most pronounced feature is the horn where previously the track was entirely piano and strings. Lining it up with the film, it is at this moment that Strange is first told about the Pangborn (who was paralyzed but learned to walk again after studying at Kamar Taj).

Mystering training

At this song, Strange is beginning his studies with the Ancient One. The theme appears at 0:13, but less developed and with a softer instrument than the main horn. It’s something of the musical equivalent of a training montage. At this time, Strange is coming into his powers but is still weak.

We hear the iconic horn at 0:58, but much slower than normal.

Inside the Mirror Dimension

At this song, Strange has become more accomplished, but his is still not wise. We hear a couple of notes on the horn.

Sanctimonious Sanctum Sacking

This song plays during Strange’s first encounter with Kaecilius.

At 6:32 the Strange theme plays. This is the climax of the soundtrack, and appears roughly in the middle. The theme is not heard again to such a full degree for the rest of the film. In the film this is when Strange, after falling over the balcony, levitates back to meet Kaicilius. This is the first time we see him in full costume, wearing both the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation. Strange has come into his full power.

At this track, we switch from hearing the Kamar Taj theme more frequently to the Strange theme.

Post Op Paracosm

Heavy use of harpsichord and piano. The piano is linked with New York and Western society, as well as Christine.

Hippocratic Hypocrite

This track is very much like Hands Dealt, but the lower register of piano is replaced with the harpsichord. Much as Strange was presented with a crossroads when is hands were damaged during Hands Dealt, this song is about the Ancient One and her choices.

Smote and Mirrors

This track brings us back to the first track and the first battle between the Ancient One and Kaecilius.

In the first half I believe we hear the Strange theme a couple of times, while on screen Strange is running from Kaecilius and the Zealots in the mirror dimension.

Later, the Ancient One joins the fight. At 4:55 and 5:30 we hear the Kamar Taj theme quite intensely as on screen the Ancient One is using her full power.

Ancient History

In this track the Ancient One is dying. She is also revealing to Stephen the lesson that he still hasn’t mastered, that “fear an arrogance still prevent him from learning the most significant lesson.” We hear a blend of sitar and piano. The Ancient One brings the Eastern sitar to New York’s Wester piano. The Ancient One is also in a way transferring her responsibilities to Stephen, should he choose that path.

Strange Days Ahead

This track summarizes all the music in the film. It blends many of the instruments and motifs together. Strange assumes the motifs of Kamar Taj and the Ancient One, but with a cool laid back attitude.

Strange puts his watch back on. It’s the one piece of his clothing/costume from his past life. When he arrived at Kamar Taj he took it off. In away that was time suspended; he had not yet decided how to move forward. In his last conversation with the Ancient One he considers the possibility of returning to his old life. In this scene he firmly decides to remain the protector of the Sanctum, and so as he puts on the watch, his life resumes.

A note on the motifs

I call the first motif the “Kamar Taj” motif. It starts high, then goes low with a successive three notes that increase. It has a very epic, heavy quality to it. Everybody comes to Kamar Taj broken, fallen from some higher point. Kamar Taj is a place of healing, strengthening. It follows then, that it starts high, falls low, and rebuilds.

I call the second motif the “Strange” motif. To me, this motif is Strange’s story of how he put himself back together. The theme starts low and generally builds up. Strange shows up at Kamar Taj at rock bottom, and builds himself up again.

These are very simple interpretations of the two motifs, but they resonate with me.