NEAR MINT - UNSEALED - ONLY ONE AVAILABLE

Patrick Doyle composed the film's score. Doyle said that it can take him up to six months to create a film score, but Altman asked him to write and compose the music for Gosford Park in less than five weeks. The soundtrack also features six original songs by composer and playwright, Ivor Novello. Jeremy Northam, who plays Novello, sings all the songs and his brother, Christopher, accompanies him on the piano.

1 Waltz Of My Heart Written-By – Hassall, Novello 2:02
2 Mr. Parks 1:48
3 Gosford Park 2:19
4 Bored To Sobs 1:28
5 The Shirt 1:40
6 And Her Mother Came Too Written-By – Titheradge, Novello 1:51
7 Walking To Shoot 1:20
8 No Smoke Without Fire 1:30
9 Scherzo In G 1:26
10 I Can Give You The Starlight Written-By – Hassall, Novello 2:34
11 What A Duke Should Be Written-By – Grey, Novello 1:56
12 Inspector Thompson 3:08
13 Pull Yourself Together 1:47
14 Life Goes On 2:29
15 Secrets To Hide 2:04
16 Only For A While Written-By – Doyle, Altman 3:45
17 Rather A Pasting 1:32
18 Love Jam 3:06
19 Why Isn't It You? Written-By – Hassall, Novello 2:13
20 The Way It's Meant To Be Written-By – Doyle, Doyle, Altman 2:08
21 Carpe Diem 1:02
22 Good Luck 1:29
23 Your Boy's Alive 1:59
24 The Land Of Might-Have-Been Written-By – Moore, Novello 4:18

American filmmaker Robert Altman takes a witty and absorbing look at the foibles of the British class system in this intelligent murder mystery set in the early '30s. Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his wife Lady Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas) are a pair of wealthy British socialites who have invited a variety of friends, relatives, and acquaintances to their mansion in the country for a weekend of hunting and relaxation. Among the honored guests are Constance (Maggie Smith), Lady Sylvia's matronly aunt; Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam), William's cousin who is also a well-known actor and songwriter; and Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban), an American film producer who is friendly with Ivor and researching an upcoming project. Observing the proceedings are the domestic staff of the mansion, including imperious butler Jennings (Alan Bates); footmen George (Richard E. Grant) and Arthur (Jeremy Swift); Probert (Derek Jacobi), a valet to Sir William; housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren); Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins), who oversees the kitchen; and Elsie (Emily Watson), a maid. Also on hand are the guests' personal servants, including Mary (Kelly Macdonald), Constance's maid; Henry (Ryan Phillippe), Weissman's valet; and Parks (Clive Owens), a butler.

While the servants are required to display a high level of decorum, they are expected to be passive observers who do not comment on what they see, though the gossip among them travels thick and fast once they retire to the servants' quarters downstairs. And it turns out that there's plenty worth gossiping about, especially after Sir William turns up dead, and everyone is ordered to stay at the mansion while the police investigate the killing.

Gosford Park also features Charles Dance, Tom Hollander, Natasha Wightman, and Ron Webster; the screenplay was written by Julian Fellowes, based on a story by Altman and co-star Bob Balaban. 2001

*Northam plays the real-life and much-loved English matinee idol Ivor Novello. He shows up at Gosford Park to amuse the gentry by playing some of Novello's original tunes on the piano and warbling in what turns out to be a lovely singing voice. Northam's brother Christopher Northam does the real deal on the ivories. The two have also re-recorded the movie's songs in full for a Gosford CD.

Jeremy Northam is a trained actor, not a musician like his brother. Altman tricked him into doing it, "which was terrifying because I'm not a professional musician and I don't have a proper voice," Northam says.

At their first meeting, Altman casually asked Northam if he could sing and play piano. Northam admitted he could but had not trained for years and was not confident. "And then we got onto the set and he said: 'You know, when I first met Jeremy, he said that he played and sang!'"

Northam knew he was trapped: "Well, you %$#*@! bastard!" he told Altman, repeating the story now with obvious affection. "And when push came to shove, I had about two weeks to find songs I might be able to play. It was a bit scary."