Super Soundtracks – Movies That Wouldn’t Seem the Same Without Their Iconic Themes

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by Jack in TV & Movies

Daniel Craig as Bond There are certain factors which help elevate a movie to classic status. These can be perfect casting and an engaging plot; or a sparkling script, award winning performances and immaculate direction.

However, when the cinema lights go down and you start popping Maltesers into your mouth like there’s no tomorrow, there’s one ingredient which gets the adrenalin pumping and raises expectation to explosive levels – and that’s a soundtrack which blows you away.

Here are five classics without which their movies would be as unthinkable as imagining Brad without Angelina or David without Victoria.

James Bond

Monty Norman’s score has me patting my DJ to check my imaginary Walther PPK is in place. It has done ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, except then it was my nappy I was checking and not for a Walther PPK. As the familiar strains started to build in Casino Royale and Daniel Craig uttered those immortal words for his first time with a voice as sexily smooth as silk sliding across a golden thigh, the hair on the back of my neck stood up with an audible ‘ZING’.

Star Wars

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen the movies, when John William’s symphonic score booms out as big yellow letters disappear into the black infinity of space you’ve just got to plonk yourself down on the sofa, grab your lightsabre, and get ready to be thrilled by Luke, Han and Leia’s attempts to overthrow the Empire all over again.

Indiana Jones

It’s impossible to imagine Indy dodging boulders and poisonous darts or swapping blows with shaven headed Nazi heavies without John Williams’ Indiana Jones theme helping him to run that bit faster or adding more steel to his uppercuts. I can’t walk across a rickety bridge over a raging torrent in the jungle without humming the music and breaking into a run. Luckily it’s not a situation I find myself in every day otherwise by now I might be sporting a jacket which has arms that tie at the back.

Jason Bourne The Bourne Trilogy

Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne reinvented our idea of a secret agent. Here was a man who could inflict as much damage with a rolled up newspaper as Bond could with any number of Q’s gadgets. It was only fitting that he was aided and abetted by a 21st century soundtrack. Composer John Powell obliged with the electronic equivalent of sinking a shot of tequila. The addition of Moby’s Extreme Ways reinforces the feeling that you’re enjoying the ride of your life in the company of the world’s second best secret agent.

Pirates of the Caribbean

As soon as I hear this theme I know I’m about to spend a couple of hours with the most lovable rogue of the decade, Cap’n Jack Sparrow. It might not be the most original piece of music ever, but who cares. It’s swashbuckling, jaunty fun and promises a damn good time even as it’s stealing the gold doubloons from your pocket. Tell me you don’t automatically smile when you hear it.

Tags: Indiana Jones, James Bond, Jason Bourne, Movie Soundtracks, Movie Themes, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars

Jack Montgomery

Author for the online friendship and dating site Sparkle; co-author of two travel guidebooks, blogger and seriously bad poet.

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4 Responses to “Super Soundtracks – Movies That Wouldn’t Seem the Same Without Their Iconic Themes”

Rachael

27. Nov, 2009

As you said Jack it is actually impossible to imagine these films without the amazing sound tracks that go with them.

Soundtrack CDs are where I really let myself down on the music front though. In that I mean…if I hear a song on the radio that I love, I will hunt it down until it’s in my collection. It’s shocking the amount of times I just love the songs in films but never go so far as to buy them. Must try harder

The few that I have bought though are:

Divine Secrets of The Ya Ya Sisterhood – the film will not be up everyone’s street, although I loved it, but the soundtrack is stunning and highly eclectic. Each track is like a lovely little gem with artist like Ray Charles, Lou Reed, Tony Bennet, Macy Gray, Bob Dylan & Lauren Hill. Also some French tracks by Ann Savoy and Blind Uncle Gespard.

Romeo & Juliet (Baz Luhrmann stylie) – just gorgeous!

The Italian Job (1969 one with Michael Caine) – I just love ‘On Days Like These’ by Matt Monro

Great article Jack…I may well find myself in the Soundtrack section of iTunes later, you’re going end up costing me a fortune!
Jack

27. Nov, 2009

Thanks Rachael,

I’ve read Divine Secrets (and thoroughly enjoyed it) but haven’t seen the movie. The soundtrack sounds great.

Anything on a Baz Luhrmann soundtrack gets the thumbs up from me (love the Moulin Rouge music as well).

There are some classic sounds in the movies – I had to have ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ after seeing Closer. There’s a band , Tito and Tarantula who does the music in a number of Robert Rodriguez flicks and I keep meaning to get hold of some of their stuff.
Phil Evans

30. Nov, 2009

My 2 favourite sound-tracks that bring back the mood of the film in waves of raw emotion -

Mike Oldfield’s purpose-written soundtrack for “The Killing Fields” – haunting, beautiful and unforgettable

Giorgio Moroder’s “Midnight Express” captures the moods of this film brilliantly – hectic, frightening, violent and ultimately freedom.
Jack

03. Dec, 2009

I know exactly what you mean, Phil.

I blame Midnight Express for the fact that I’ve never visited Turkey.

Tracks that do the same for me are The Doors’ ‘The End’ at the start of Apocalypse Now; Ry Cooders slide guitar in Southern Comfort which goes staright to the nerve ends (never been in a Louisiana swamp since… or before) and Barber’s Adagio for Strings in Platoon – such beautiful music set to an horrific backdrop.

I’ve just realised these are all war movies – jeez, I must have a military obsession.