Melody Map: How To Train Your Dragon
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by JDH - @FilmScoreFans
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Last Updated: 9/7/21
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You're here. You totally love How To Train Your Dragons. How much time do you spend blasting Test Drive while pretending to ride Toothless? I'm not the only one, right? Beyond that main theme, we find one of the greatest examples of musical world building in film history. The details and thoughtfulness of the HTTYD creative team are evident in every frame, and John Powell's music never wastes a single note.
But what exactly is going on from one moment to the next? Powell gives us a flurry of content that never lets up. Below, you'll find a guide to the entire trilogy. The Melodies: Leitmotif or Themes? |
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Over the last few months of preparation, one thing became extremely clear. While Powell's melodies are some of the most recognizable of the century, they are not strictly leitmotif. In almost every case, the music is guided by emotion and events, but not in a one-to-one relationship. The best possible music is used in every case, no matter what it's origin. To my ear, this was one of the smartest moves Powell could have made. Across all three movies, the melodies are used with a wide range of purpose. Had he rigidly assigned music to its initial onscreen counterpart, the audience would be awkwardly bounced between each musical idea. Instead, Powell creates a musical world that flows smoothly.
With this in mind, the melodies listed below are identified without any sense of finality. Each is named based on their earliest and/or most common usage. But, I'm sure mega fans will be able to make an argument for changes to the list. Let us know if you notice omissions, errors, or if you just plain disagree. This is a living document that should become more accurate with time an discussion.
With this in mind, the melodies listed below are identified without any sense of finality. Each is named based on their earliest and/or most common usage. But, I'm sure mega fans will be able to make an argument for changes to the list. Let us know if you notice omissions, errors, or if you just plain disagree. This is a living document that should become more accurate with time an discussion.
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The Melodies of How To Train Your Dragon
The Alpha
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Check it out at 1:48
The Good Alpha is cool. (Get it?)
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Astrid
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At 0:00 and throughout
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One of the few true leitmotifs of the trilogy. This theme clearly represents Astrid and her relationship with Hiccup.
Determination
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Stoick & Gobber charge at 1:12
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At times, this theme shows up with Gobber. But, across the trilogy, it seems to be used generically during moments of inspiration.
Drago
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0:08 and throughout
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Can't help but hear him screaming whenever I listen to this one...
Dragon Riders - Main
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Stoick mouths "What the..." at 1:36
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This represents the young Vikings early on, but is immediately representative of the Riders as they battle the Red Death.
Dragon Riders - Secondary
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Big choir at 5:00
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This one definitely stumps me. The closest identity I can come up with is the Dragon Riders (and maybe all heroes?) working together.
Dragon Training Ostinato
Pretty sure this actually represents the dragons during training, not the future riders.
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0:00 and throughout
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Dragons
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Right at the start - 0:00
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Always menacing early on, but it morphs into playfulness and heroism as the dragon/Viking relationship changes.
Dragon's Den Ostinato
Menacing as they discover the Red (Green?) Death, and it also shows up at a few more moments.
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Seriously, what color is the death?
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Exodus
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Statement at 1:06
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This could represent another idea, but it is most prominent on "Exodus!" What do you think?
Exploring
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Variations throughout
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One could make a case for this actually being the main theme of the entire second movie. But, it is introduced when Hiccup and Toothless are mapping the world.
Farewell
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0:00 - Maybe an intro to Exodus?
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This is a tough one. It definitely sounds like it is closely related to Exodus. For now, I've identified it as a farewell to the audience. Repeated viewings will hopefully lead to a more concrete relationship being realized (if there is one).
Grimmel
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Intro - :45, Theme - 1:04, Secondary - 1:34
The introduction could represent the Dragon Hunters left over after Drago's defeat. Or, maybe just their armada? Either way, it is heard a few times leading into major Grimmel events. The Supplemental Material will also take some additional viewings before being truly identified.
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Happy Ending
This shows up at moments of heroic wins, but is often tempered with a bit of melancholy.
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Solemn victory at 5:16
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Hiccup & Toothless
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A Section - 0:21 B Section - 0:39
Wise to call this THE main theme of the entire trilogy. It is most often used in flight sequences.
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Hiccup & Valka
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Check it out at 0:00
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Rarely used, but so effective as they each realize who each other are.
The Hidden World
Will refrain from explaining - no spoilers here!
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2:24, and Maestoso at 2:50
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The Light Fury
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Dreamy at 0:36
This most often shows up when Toothless and the Light Fury are together, but is also used to represent her alone.
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The Light Fury's Call
From the beginning of the three romantic scenes.
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Hey there, Toothless... at 0:00
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Making Improvements
Sometimes unsure, and other times bombastic and proud!
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Playful and then big at 0:44
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The Ostinato
Without this, Dragons simply would not have the impact it has had over the past ten years.
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The final scene at 4:05
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Stoick
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He's the chief at 3:44
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Another rare example of pure leitmotif - this is Stoick!
Testing New Designs
Simplified rhythms because WOW there are a lot of notes in this one.
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Way too much fun at 0:18
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This is a tough one. What does it represent? There's not a lot of evidence for any argument, but it is just too much fun not to include.
Toothless Courts
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Also way too much fun at 0:40
Might be the most fun, definitely the most playful of the series. A highlight of The Hidden World.
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Valka
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Listen to that choir at 0:24!
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Valka, her Dragon Sanctuary, her time under the mask - this theme represents it all.
Valka & Stoick For the Dancing and the Dreaming
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0:00 and throughout
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The vocal performance is perfect, and this theme is prominent at almost every major moment of HTTYD2.
Vikings of Berk
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Adventure and excitement at 0:26
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Another candidate for THE theme of the series. It definitely represents the excitement of Viking life, but is used in a variety of statements throughout.
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