Background Information
The soundtrack for the 2011 Warner Bros. movie Sucker Punch featured a remake of the Led Zeppelin song When The Levee Breaks. His version of the classic rock song, with vocals by Emily Browning and composed by Marius De Vries and Tyler Bates, was one of the most widely-discussed aspects of the film, and its removal had some moviegoers puzzled, as the song was emotionally charged and a clear favorite among fans.
The original track was released on the Led Zeppelin’s fourth album of the same name in 1971. It became an iconic rock song, and its inclusion in the Sucker Punch soundtrack made news. However, early on in the release of the movie, the song was removed, and with little explanation as to why.
Relevant Data and Perspectives From Experts
Many critics and fans wondered why such an important song was removed and speculated that it was either due to rights issues or to the timing of the movie. Speaking to Billboard in 2011, Bates said: “Because of the short length of the film, there wasn’t enough time for a proper mix of the track. We felt that it would have been disrespectful to Led Zeppelin, and to Emily Browning too, to settle for a sub-standard version of the track.
“We realize this decision will be a source of much debate amongst fans, but in the end, it is better to do the right thing and have no version, than to have a version of a classic Zeppelin track that is less than perfect and done justice.”
Experts suggest that the song was popular because of the emotions it evokes by incorporating the vocals of Browning with the classic rock chords, which would have been difficult to replicate in the time frame of the movie. Without the full length of the track and the mix necessary to convey the emotion of the song, which would have been a challenge to get done within the tight time frames given, it was decided to pull the plug.
Own Insights and Analysis
When analyzing the removal of the Led Zeppelin track from the Sucker Punch soundtrack, it is evident that the decision was made out of respect for the original track and the artist, and to prevent a sub-standard version from being released. Although the song was much-beloved by fans, the decision to pull it was a wise one and made with the intention of avoiding the potential controversy of releasing a lackluster version.
From an artistic standpoint, it likely would have been difficult to replicate the emotional impact of the original track within the given time frame. Critique of contemporary works must always take into consideration the time frame in which a work was created. Had the song been given the full mix and time necessary, the outcome might have been different. Unfortunately, in this case, it simply wasn’t in the cards.
Copyright Considerations
One of the most likely considerations when removing a classic rock track like Led Zeppelin’s When the Levee Breaks from a soundtrack is the issue of copyright. While it is not unusual for movies to use musical tracks with which they have not secured the rights, the creators of Sucker Punch decided it was better to err on the side of caution and not take the chance. This is an understandable decision, as it could have led to a great deal of legal trouble in the long run.
Nevertheless, many fans were left disappointed by the song’s removal, and it is likely that had the track been completed in time, it would have been included in the movie. Whether this would have led to a much better reception and response to the film, or not, is impossible to tell. What is certain, however, is that had the track been completed, it would have added an extra bit of depth and oomph to an already thematically and visually intense movie.
Effect on Moviegoers
For millions of fans, the Led Zeppelin track was an unforgettable part of the movie, and their disappointment upon learning it had been removed was palpable. However, it’s important to note that while its removal was to some degree unsatisfactory, it is just as likely that the movie was enriched by not having it. While the track might have lent more emotion to a few scenes, as a whole having the song in the film would have potentially had a distracting effect.
In the end, the removal of the song was both understandable and necessary, as it came down to basic considerations such as copyright, timing, and the desire to avoid a subpar version. Led Zeppelin fans may have been disappointed, but the choice was one of respect and discretion, and it can be argued that the moviegoers actually benefited from the track’s removal.
Pop Culture Reaction
Fans of the Led Zeppelin track created a large online presence, engaging in debates and discussions discussing the removal, and its impact on the movie and score more generally. It was one of the most talked about aspects of the movie, as well as being considered a missed opportunity by many fans who expected the track to make an appearance in the film.
While some speculated that the reason behind the decision was a legal one, others argued that perhaps the track simply didn’t work within the context of the movie. Another possible explanation was that the track was removed due to the inability to mix it in time, and the desire to not include a sub-standard version for the sake of respecting the classic song.
It wasn’t until Marius De Viees’ interview with Billboard that some of the mystery surrounding the decision was revealed. He stated that the decision was made in order to respect the original track and Emily Browning’s vocal component, and to not include a version that was anything less than perfect.
Style Considerations
Removing the Led Zeppelin track from the Sucker Punch soundtrack may have been a difficult decision, one complicated by the competing considerations of wanting to include the track but having limited time available to properly mix it. Another factor would have been considerations of style; after all, the original track featured a bluesy, rock theme combined with Browning’s ethereal vocals, two elements that don’t always work together within the same track.
Realizing that the track wasn’t going to be completed in time, the filmmakers decided to err on the side of caution and instead of releasing a sub-par mix, chose to pull it altogether. Combining the two genres may have been a difficult task, particularly when time was also a factor. It is also likely that Bates and De Vries simply realized that a full mix wouldn’t be possible and decided not to risk releasing an inferior version.
Marketing Considerations
Of course, there were also marketing considerations behind the track’s removal. After all, its success as part of the soundtrack and its emotional impact on fans could have been exploited for marketing purposes. Sadly, this was not to be, and the potential audience for the track was diminished.
Marketers would have seen the track as an opportunity to push the movie to an even larger audience, as it would have provided an additional angle from which to market the movie as a whole. Involving the classic track with its well-known lyrics provided an opportunity to reach a whole new demographic; sadly, this missed opportunity was one of the casualties resulting from the track’s removal.
Artistic and Creative Considerations
Finally, the creators of Sucker Punch movie had to consider the artistic angle of the track’s removal. Had the movie featured a mediocre version of the Led Zeppelin track, it could have actually detracted from the movie’s impact rather than adding to it. Aesthetic considerations always come into play when deciding which tracks to include, and in this case, the track simply didn’t fit within the context of the movie.
From an artistic standpoint, it was likely that the combination of Emily Browning’s vocals and the classic rock instrumentals would have been a challenge to mix in such a limited amount of time. Had the creators had the full length of the track, the outcome would likely have been different. In the end, it was decided that it was better to err on the side of caution and omit the track rather than risk an unsatisfactory version of a classic.
