Best Indy Villain Theme

[indy4 152]

I've reviewed all of these spectacular themes, in order of my ranking of them:

1. The Nazi Theme (The Last Crusade): Yes it's cartoony and exagerated, but I think that out of all the villain themes in Indy, this one is the most obviously evil one. It is oppressive and tyrannical, and perfectly fits the villains it is complementing. It is a shame that it is included so rarely on the OST, and I think that out of all of JW's themes that don't yet have a concert version, this is the one that is most in need.

2. Irina's Theme (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull): It is everything that Irina is - evil, beautiful, sexy, cunning, etc. It's introduction on a slithering saxaphone is perfect, and its variations throughout the score (especially in "The Jungle Chase") are brilliantly placed and written. You can tell from this theme that Irina is not to be messed with.

3. The Nazi Theme (Raiders of the Lost Ark): It is menacing and mindless, I get the feeling that it will stop at nothing to kill. It is used rarely throughout the score, but when it is, it is with full blown brass and power.

4. The Russian Theme (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull): It is militaristic and powerful. While Irina's Theme shows the intelligence and cruelty of the Soviets, the Russian theme shows its brute force and strength. I love the variations it gets in "Ants!". It is a nice bonus theme we got, and the only one from KotCS that doesn't get the full treatment. Perhaps JW decided that since he didn't need to worry about writing a new love theme, he could give us to villain themes.

5. Mola Ram's Theme (Temple of Doom): While it finishes last, it is still a great theme. Like all other themes from ToD, it gets the short end of the stick with a 40 minute album. Still, it manages to impress the flighty and magical evil of Mola Ram.

[MissPadmé 17]

Before Indy IV I would have chosen the Nazii Theme from TLC

But Irinas Theme is (especially the Concert Version) such a wounderful artistic achievement.. it clearly gets my vote

[crocodile 6,294]

Irina's theme as well. The most accomplished musically, easily. I don't even remember Mola Ram's theme and I never knew which motif from Raiders is the actual Nazi theme. Is it the little fanfare recurring in The Truck Chase cue? If so it's not very strong as a standalone theme. The one from LC is ok and so is Russian theme from KOTCS.

Karol

[Maglorfin 195]

For me, it's The Nazi Theme (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade).

[Richard Penna 2,082]

Wasn't this argued/debated ages ago?

I'm going for Irina's theme for the simple and sole reason that I've been humming it a lot recently, and while quite cliched, is still a good JW theme.

Unsurprisingly I don't even know what Mola Ram's theme is. ToD needs to be expanded desperately.

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

Raiders Nazi theme?

Its just a short motif

Doesnt Toth have also a motif-theme music?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Hardly a short motif. It reminds me of the Imperial Theme from Star Wars.

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

Hardly a short motif. It reminds me of the Imperial Theme from Star Wars.

The Imperial motif, you mean?

The Imperial theme is from ESB and on.

[odnurega1 0]

I still haven't heard the concert version of Irina's Theme. Can someone change that...perhaps with a PM?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

The Imperial theme is from ESB and on.

No, that is the Imperial March.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

Which one is Mola Ram's?

Hardly a short motif. It reminds me of the Imperial Theme from Star Wars.

The Imperial motif, you mean?

The Imperial theme is from ESB and on.

In this context, "theme" generally refers to leitmotifs.

[crocodile 6,294]

The Imperial theme is from ESB and on.

No, that is the Imperial March.

Do you refer to a short motif playing when Toht enters to Marion's pub? Or to the militaristic motif from Map Room: Dawn? Or the one from the airplane fight and desert chase? They all kind of fit the description. Or are they one and the same? I'm confused. And liner notes don't help much either.

Anyway, it can't be the best theme by definition. If few people seem to actually notice it...

Karol

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

The fanfare that appears prominently in Airplane Fight, and also in Desert Chase, always was the Nazi theme to me. I'll pick the TLC theme, with this one a close second.

[Ollie 859]

The Nazi Theme (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade)

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

We should distinguish between Villain theme and evil army theme...

For Villain i would choose Irina's.

For army, I would chosee Last Crusade Nazi theme, With KOTCS' Russian theme coming second.

[Williamsfan301 11]

I don't think you can argue there is a strong, identifiable Nazi theme in Raiders. Not to the strength there is one in any of the other Indy films, or even other films JW has scored in that genre.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

i think you can, actually.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I guess I'll just vote "Irina's Theme". Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull is the only Indy score I'm familiar with.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I'm sorry...

What?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

You want to buy Temple Of Doom for me? Lowest price is usually around 70 bucks.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Just download it from somewere then!

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I have.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

So?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Might sound weird, but I don't listen to scores I have through trades if it's something I will buy. For some odd reason, I don't enjoy listening to something I don't own if it's something I want to own. Mainly because of poor sound quality and the highly annoying 7 seconds of nothing that somehow gets attached to the end of each track.

[Red 73]

The Last Crusade's Nazi theme for me.

[Richard Penna 2,082]

Might sound weird, but I don't listen to scores I have through trades if it's something I will buy. For some odd reason, I don't enjoy listening to something I don't own if it's something I want to own. Mainly because of poor sound quality and the highly annoying 7 seconds of nothing that somehow gets attached to the end of each track.

Poor sound quality? Not from a CD rip.

7 seconds of nothing? Yes, you get that from a CD too.

Where's the problem?

And Last Crusade is pretty easy to find these days.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Might sound weird, but I don't listen to scores I have through trades if it's something I will buy. For some odd reason, I don't enjoy listening to something I don't own if it's something I want to own. Mainly because of poor sound quality and the highly annoying 7 seconds of nothing that somehow gets attached to the end of each track.

Poor sound quality? Not from a CD rip.

7 seconds of nothing? Yes, you get that from a CD too.

Where's the problem?

And Last Crusade is pretty easy to find these days.

No CD will ever have 7 seconds of nothing at the end of each track. I have The Last Crusade, but as most of you all know, I don't listen to Indiana Jones.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Please explain why?

[Red 73]

No CD will ever have 7 seconds of nothing at the end of each track. I have The Last Crusade, but as most of you all know, I don't listen to Indiana Jones.

Then you're doing yourself a huge disservice. Kids these days . . .

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I'm older than you red_rabbit.

[Red 73]

I'm older than you red_rabbit.

Only in the literal sense!

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Please explain why?

Haven't I explained several times? You all should know by now.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Stupidity should be explained, yes.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Oh no, I don't listen to Star Wars, Jaws, or Indiana Jones! I'm an idiot. The only time I listen to the Raiders March is when my phone rings, although recently I created a Dark Knight ringtone.

[indy4 152]

Irina's theme as well. The most accomplished musically, easily. I don't even remember Mola Ram's theme and I never knew which motif from Raiders is the actual Nazi theme. Is it the little fanfare recurring in The Truck Chase cue? If so it's not very strong as a standalone theme. The one from LC is ok and so is Russian theme from KOTCS.

Karol

The Nazi Theme is heard in 2:06 of "Airplane Fight."

Hardly a short motif. It reminds me of the Imperial Theme from Star Wars.

The Imperial motif, you mean?

The Imperial theme is from ESB and on.

I think there's a 4 note Imperial motif in SW, and also a theme. The motif is in 3:26 of "The TIE Fighter Attack." The Theme is heard in 2:08 of "The Death Star/The Stormtroopers."

[indy4 152]

Which one is Mola Ram's?

It's in 0:09 of "Mine Car Chase."

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

I think there's a 4 note Imperial motif in SW, and also a theme. The motif is in 3:26 of "The TIE Fighter Attack." The Theme is heard in 2:08 of "The Death Star/The Stormtroopers."

The Motif in Tie Fighter Attack is in fact called The Death Star Motif (though on my CD it actually starts at 3:30)

The theme you mention in "The Death Star/The Stormtroopers." is indeed The Imperial Theme.

The Nazi theme from Raiders is the theme that opens Reunion And The Dig Begins and The German Sub/To The Nazi Hideout.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

I have The Last Crusade, but as most of you all know, I don't listen to Indiana Jones.

Then how can you vote in this thread?

[indy4 152]

The Nazi theme from Raiders is the theme that opens Reunion And The Dig Begins and The German Sub/To The Nazi Hideout.

So what does that make the one I mentioned (heard in "Airplane Fight" and "Desert Chase")?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I have The Last Crusade, but as most of you all know, I don't listen to Indiana Jones.

Then how can you vote in this thread?

Easily, choose an option and vote.

[Henry B 49]

Best theme? Eh... Irina's theme is a fleshed out, structured piece while the others are just little motives. So of the four motives, Raiders Nazi motive.

[John Crichton 4]

I'm older than you red_rabbit.

Only in the literal sense!

Good man red! Age is not soley measured in years.

I thought we banished all Indy polls from this board?

John- who votes Last Crusade Nazi

[Williamsfan301 11]

Age is not soley measured in years.

It's not the age. It's the mileage.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Hmm, Mola Ram's theme is great (the full thing, not just the last four notes as heard throughout "The Mine Car Chase"). I believe it's heard in its full glory when they see Pankot Palace for the first time. But I really like Irina's and the Russians' themes too. I guess I'll go with Mola Ram, since it probably needs the votes more.

[Ollie 859]

Best theme? Eh... Irina's theme is a fleshed out, structured piece while the others are just little motives. So of the four motives, Raiders Nazi motive.

Actually you make a good point, although I think the LC version is fleshed out a little more than a motif.

I've always thought the German music in Raiders was a motif, the same can be said for Mola Ram's, although like Ray said the Pankot Palace theme is more than likely the full version.

[John Crichton 4]

The Nazi motif in Raiders is the only one I'd call a small motif, the rest are fully developed themes. Mola Ram's theme appears a decent amount in ToD with variation, it's just a lot of it is unreleased. Trek to Pankot Palace is the biggest statement of it.

I have to mention too how much I love the Russian music in Indy 4, it might be my favorite of the new themes.

[Charlie Brigden 5]

Panama hat motif. He's a villain... for about five minutes.

[John Crichton 4]

Good point, he certainly did. A good one, too. I love that whole "mini-score" aspect of the start of Last Crusade.