Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

[Pieter Boelen 633]

Every few days I will post a thread on a random score from my collection that we can discuss and rate. I made a playlist on my computer with one track of each score I've got, so by using the random play option, I'll be able to post a truly random score each time. Hopefully this will allow us to discuss some scores that would otherwise never be discussed. Also we can record the rating so that we can create a full list of the ratings given to scores by JWFan.com.

I'd like to have some of my favourite scores discussed before I leave for half a year, so the next scores won't be random. At least they'll be well-known. Hope you don't mind.

Today's score is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom by John Williams. Are you familiar with it? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? How do do you think it works in the film? What are your favourite tracks?

So far JWFan has rated:

See Soundtrack Ratings by JWFan.com.

This web page contains the ratings from all my previous polls as well as those of Blumenkohl's.

Final ratings are converted to a 1-10 rating for both rating systems so that they can be compared.

[MissPadmé 17]

5 Stars

He really understands to create this wounderful coulorful adventure-sound, much like film from the 50ies or late 40ties.

and add this certain indian touch... also the truckload of themes and mtives you get there

Not me this one belongs in the same shelve as Raiders ... both of them manage to create something, that TLC fails to do I think

[indy4 152]

I prefer LC and Raiders, but this is still a brilliant score. 4.5.

The album only gets a 4, but from what I've heard from the film, I'll add half a star.

Damn, this really really really needs to be released!

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

1.

Goldsmith did so much better the following year with King Solomon's Mines.

[King Mark 2,924]

1.

Goldsmith did so much better the following year with King Solomon's Mines.

I really hope your joking ,because that kind of garbage statement doesn't do much for you on a Williams board.

ToD=5 stars .One of Williams absolute masterpieces. Second only to The Empire Strikes Back

[crocodile 6,294]

A very good score. But too all over the place, frenetic and cartoony to gain the status of classic, for me at least. It makes the film a little bit more tiring for its own good. Love the children crusade theme and many other single cues though. And probably the best end credits in JW's career. If much of it sounds like I don't like it - don't let it be. It's just not what I call a masterpiece.

4.5 stars.

Karol

[Pieter Boelen 633]

An absolute 5-star score from me. It's my favourite Indiana Jones and John Williams score at the moment, though that might change again at some point. It always changes between the three Indiana Jones scores. In any case the score as composed for the film is utter brilliance, though goes criminally unreleased for the most part. I am fortunate indeed to have the low-SFX expanded bootleg. The Parade of the Slave Children theme is particularly good and the finale of the film is absolutely impressive, with the choral statement of that theme. I also like the part of the Raiders March leading up the end credits that is not on the OST. I think that's a better Raiders March finale statement than the one at the end of the KotCS end title.

[Ollie 859]

I'll give it a 4.5.

A fun, loud, over the top sequel score. Yes the album is too short but the LP got alot of spins when I was a teenager.

Short Round's theme and The Slave Children are a complete delight to listen to.

[Williamsfan301 11]

When does the re-release get released?

[MrScratch 292]

4.5, what Mark said.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

1.

Goldsmith did so much better the following year with King Solomon's Mines.

I really hope your joking ,because that kind of garbage statement doesn't do much for you on a Williams board.

ToD=5 stars .One of Williams absolute masterpieces. Second only to The Empire Strikes Back

Do I look like I'm joking?

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Until earlier this year, I really wasn't familiar with this score at all. Now though, I give it an easy 5. It's such a wild and breakneck departure from the more structured Raiders. Great themes and consistently gratifying underscore and action music. Truly amazing!

[MSM 85]

4.5 because of the rousing action scherzo's!

[Red 73]

4.5 stars, maybe a 5.

Probably the epitome of a fun Williams score.

[MSM 85]

I only find the temple tracks annoying.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

5 stars.

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

Out of anger, i'm not voting untill the complete score is released :cool:

[Ollie 859]

That's the spirit!!!!

Show em who's the boss!!!!!

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

:cool:

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

Not familar enough ducks and covers. I only have a CDR, which never got as much playtime as it should, and which also won't play correctly anymore. I do have a feeling that even with the full score, I'd like this a little less than #1 and #3, but I can't really rate it. Hopefully, things will change later this year.

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

Not familar enough ducks and covers. I only have a CDR, which never got as much playtime as it should, and which also won't play correctly anymore. I do have a feeling that even with the full score, I'd like this a little less than #1 and #3, but I can't really rate it. Hopefully, things will change later this year.

I'll duck and cover with you. (no hidden meaning intended, huh?) That's the reason i didnt vote. SInce i know this score lacks much music i dont feel like playing it, since great moments are unreleased. Its like it pains to me to be remembered the shortness of it.

[Pieter Boelen 633]

Out of anger, i'm not voting untill the complete score is released :cool:

LOL! That'll help.

[John Crichton 4]

5, even though it's my "least" favorite of the original three Indys. I think Williams had more fun writing this than just about anything else. There's a great sense of humor running through the whole score and a good number of Williams' best comic moments can be found here.

[Red 73]

I should've given it a five..... :cool:

[Ollie 859]

What stopped you in the first place?

:cool:

[King Mark 2,924]

1.

Goldsmith did so much better the following year with King Solomon's Mines.

I really hope your joking ,because that kind of garbage statement doesn't do much for you on a Williams board.

ToD=5 stars .One of Williams absolute masterpieces. Second only to The Empire Strikes Back

Do I look like I'm joking?

Is your only purpose here is to point out that a relatively lame Jerry Goldsmith knock off score is a million times better than one of Williams best scores whenever you have the chance ? So let me guess, Superman the Movie is a 1 star score compared to Supergirl ? There's a place for these statements, it's the FSM message board.

There are things that shouldn't be said on a composer fan message board ,which are in direct contradiction of actually beeing a fan . If someone said HP PoA is a 1 star score because Patrick Doyle did so much better the following year with Goblet of Fire there would be no reason for that person to be posting here. Same goes with Hitch giving E.T. 1 star compared to Star Trek 2 ,although you never know what he really thinks.

To me someone that says I don't like TESB, E.T., ToD...ect = I don't really like John Williams

[Red 73]

What stopped you in the first place?

I don't know, but whatever it was I shouldn't have listened to it.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

4

[John Crichton 4]

What stopped you in the first place?

I don't know, but whatever it was I shouldn't have listened to it.

I heard that demon too. Fortunately I flicked it off my shoulder.

[Jacob 0]

1.

Goldsmith did so much better the following year with King Solomon's Mines.

I really hope your joking ,because that kind of garbage statement doesn't do much for you on a Williams board.

ToD=5 stars .One of Williams absolute masterpieces. Second only to The Empire Strikes Back

Do I look like I'm joking?

Is your only purpose here is to point out that a relatively lame Jerry Goldsmith knock off score is a million times better than one of Williams best scores whenever you have the chance ? So let me guess, Superman the Movie is a 1 star score compared to Supergirl ? There's a place for these statements, it's the FSM message board.

There are things that shouldn't be said on a composer fan message board ,which are in direct contradiction of actually beeing a fan . If someone said HP PoA is a 1 star score because Patrick Doyle did so much better the following year with Goblet of Fire there would be no reason for that person to be posting here. Same goes with Hitch giving E.T. 1 star compared to Star Trek 2 ,although you never know what he really thinks.

To me someone that says I don't like TESB, E.T., ToD...ect = I don't really like John Williams

Woah, Vader. Don't blow a respirator.

Clown boy is only fooling around. Everyone who has rated it in the poll has given it 4 stars or above. As of this posting nobody's given it a 1.

[King Mark 2,924]

I know. like I said ,I was replying as though he meant his post . Just defending JW.

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

JW needs no defending against a dead man

[JoeinAR 1,759]

This is a perfect score. There is nothing I could fault it for. It rivals Raiders and soars about last crusade and kingdom.

[Salacius 7]

I gave it a 5

Classic score from the classic JW era.

I like it slightly less that the other two scores but the writing is so awesome I can't bring my self giving it any less than 5.

[indy4 152]

"The Streets of Shanghai" has the best variation of Indy's theme.

[Delorean90 32]

I can't say that for certain, but you very may well be right. The biggest competition that comes to mind right off the bat would be "The German Sub." The end of "Fast Streets of Shanghai" is easily Top 3 material, though, easily.

[indy4 152]

I think the second best is "Flight from Peru," then probably the "German Sub."

[Ollie 859]

JW needs no defending against a dead man

That wasn't very nice.

Woah, Vader. Don't blow a respirator.

Clown boy is only fooling around. Everyone who has rated it in the poll has given it 4 stars or above. As of this posting nobody's given it a 1.

He found his lack of faith disturbing

[MrScratch 292]

This is another score I think is slightly overrated because of its Holy Grail status. Its great, but a 5-star masterpiece it is not.

[King Mark 2,924]

yes ,it is

Your statement applies to Back to the Future and The Goonies.

[Greg1138 2]

4.5 - but only because I don't think it is QUITE as good as some of JW's others....

[MrScratch 292]

yes ,it is

ToD pales in comparison to Raiders. Mine Car Chase is not on the same level as The Desert Chase, nothing in ToD compares to The Map Room or Miracle of the Ark. The Love Theme is fun and playful but far from JWs best. The best part of ToD is the Slave Childrens march and Short Rounds theme, but those two alone don't make the overall effort a masterpiece.

[Henry B 49]

I think the action music is on par with that of Raiders. The music of the Sankara Stones isn't as mystical as that of the Ark, but then the artifact isn't really the focus of the film. The action and comedic music is what carries ToD.

[Red 73]

Short Round's theme is great, and "Finale and End Credits" is one JW's absolute best end credits suites.

[King Mark 2,924]

yes ,it is

ToD pales in comparison to Raiders. Mine Car Chase is not on the same level as The Desert Chase.

Maybe not Mine Car chase ,but Undergroung Chaos (unreleased) is.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

yes ,it is

ToD pales in comparison to Raiders. Mine Car Chase is not on the same level as The Desert Chase, nothing in ToD compares to The Map Room or Miracle of the Ark. The Love Theme is fun and playful but far from JWs best. The best part of ToD is the Slave Childrens march and Short Rounds theme, but those two alone don't make the overall effort a masterpiece.

Parade of the Slave Children is better than anything in Raiders. Its one of the top 10 JW tracks of all time. The end titles of TOD are head and shoulders the best endtitles of the series. TOD doesn't pale in comparison to Raiders, it stands toe to toe. Overall Raiders is the better score, slightly, but TOD is virtually as good. TOD is Raiders ESB.

Mine Car may not be the same level as the Desert Chase, but what long action track is in all of John Williams catalog?

[MrScratch 292]

Mine Car may not be the same level as the Desert Chase, but what long action track is in all of John Williams catalog?

If you are using the word 'masterpiece' to describe something, then you must compare it with the best of the best. Mine Car Chase and the action material in general doesn't stand up to the stuff in Raiders, Star Wars, Empire, Superman, Jaws etc. Its great stuff, don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't compare with the classic scores. A masterpiece must be perfect from beginning to end, and I don't feel that way about every note of this score.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

I do feel its a masterpiece score.

still what I said has merit, there isn't a long action piece in ESB that stands up to Desert Chase, yet its considered the best JW score period. Jaws has nothing compared to Desert Chase, nor does Star Wars, or Superman. The only long tracks that I think are in Desert Chases league are Adventures on Earth, and Planting the Charges. Desert Chase happens to be one of those near perfect moments when all of the film Gods came together.

And as wonderful as it is, I'd much rather listen to Parade of the Slave Children.

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

I find desert chase to be less listenable than Other great action cues from Williams.