The Phantom Menace OST scene breakdown

[EdC 16]

I just finished posting my analysis of Star Wars Ep I: The Phantom Menace.  I "think" I got everything right, but I never know until I'm corrected!  Anyways:

 

http://cuebycue.blogspot.com/2016/04/star-wars-ep-i-phantom-menace-williams.html

 

Below is my breakdown for the official OST to save a click.  My full post linked to above contains more stuff about the themes indicated and also a breakdown of the Ultimate Edition.  I kind of used the UE as the "basic score" even though it's such a hot mess.  Until we get a better version, I'd rather use that as a source rather than, err "other editions"...as great as they may be.  Anyways, hope this is useful.

(Mike Troxell's analysis was pretty handy as a starting point.  Why is that page not listed in the Analysis page? (http://www.jwfan.com/?p=3006) )

 

Trk	Dur	Title	Film Sequence
1	2:55	Star Wars Main Title and The Arrival at Naboo	0:00: Main Title (Luke's theme) 1:25: A Republic cruiser carrying Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan approaches and lands on the Trade Federation station leading a blockade of Naboo.  The two Jedi are led to a waiting chamber. (high descending figures). 1:49: Queen Amidala's starship arrives at Coruscant and lands (urgent brass fanfare with soaring strings).  They are met by Senator Palpatine and the Chancellor, who sympathize with Amidala's situation (low rising strings/muted brass).
2	4:14	Duel of the Fates	Concert Suite 0:00: Choral phrase intro 0:15: Fate ostinato begins in violins with low string accents 0:24: Duel motif begins in winds 0:45: Duel motif begins in brass 1:03: Choral phrase developed, Fate ostinato joined by winds 1:40: Choral phrase 2 (staccato phrase), Fate with brass 2:06: Development, strings briefly play Choral phrase 2 before choir returns and answers 3:07: Intro recap with drums, variations with drum interludes/cadences 3:36: Coda with drum breaks.
3	3:05	Anakin's Theme	Concert Suite 0:00: Theme on flute 0:16: Strings interlude 0:23: Theme on strings, developed 0:50: Theme B 1:25: Theme developed and twice ending with Vader theme fragments 2:14: Strings interlude 2:20: Theme on strings, extended (ending with Vader theme fragments)
4	5:07	Jar Jar's Introduction and The Swim to Otoh Gunga	0:00:  This section was scored for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's first encounter with Jar Jar on Naboo, but was cut from the final film (rising wind figures/pizz strings/bells, Jar Jar's theme on winds on oboe/trombone/pizz strings, brass/strings, etc). 1:09: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan follow Jar Jar underwater towards the hidden Gungan city of Otoh Gunga (swirling accent into brass/wind accents, choir/swirling strings/low brass). 2:08: On Tatooine, Qui-Gon becomes concerned over the sand storm.  Anakin offers shelter to the heroes (suspense strings, muted brass/strings).   2:31: They reach Anakin's home and meet Anakin's mother and C3P0 (regal winds/strings/muted brass/harp...). 3:11: C3P0 is activated.  He gets his eye fixed and is introduced to Artoo (wind swirl, string pizz/wind figures, regal figures in brass, suspense cadence). 3:51: Back on the street, Jar Jar gets in trouble with Sebulba when he tries to steal some food.  Anakin comes to his rescue (playful winds intercut with brief Jar Jar's theme variations and Anakin’s theme fragments).
5	2:37	The Sith Spacecraft and The Droid Battle	0:00: Darth Maul's ship lands on Tatooine.  He sends out drones. (Sith Chant with Darth Maul’s theme on percussion/dissonant strings/brass accents, swirling strings/piano/percussion). 0:18: At the final battle, fighting continue in space around the Federation's Droid Control Ship and down on the fields of Naboo.  Padme's palace invasion forces reach a window (Droid Army Attack rhythmic motif, brief Duel theme variation interlude on strings).
6	4:07	The Trip to the Naboo Temple and The Audience with Boss Nass	0:00: The Queen's ship arrives near Naboo, as the pilot teaches Anakin how to operate the ship's controls.  Queen Amidala considers her options and asks for Jar Jar's help.  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan confer ("mission" string rhythm/percussion/wind ornaments).  0:56: The Queen's starship lands in a forest (brass figures, brass/wind fanfares, strings). 1:44: Jar Jar reports that Otoh Gunga is deserted (jaunty winds/chimes, thoughtful textures) but is able to lead the group to the Gungans' "sacred place" (swirling winds, determined brass/strings).  Queen Amidala approaches Boss Nass (recorder solo/chimes, poignant strings). 2:38: Padme steps forward to reveal herself as the real Queen, and makes a personal plea to the Gungans for their help in fighting the Federation.  Boss Nass agrees (hopeful winds/brass, strings, etc., held suspense textures, noble brass/winds).
7	5:07	The Arrival at Tatooine and The Flag Parade	0:00: After escaping Naboo, Jar Jar talks to Padme as she cleans up Artoo (Jar Jar's theme on winds).  0:39: Queen Amidala's ship approaches and lands on Tatooine (falling chord motif intercut by a falling brass figure).   1:21: Qui-Gon, Padme, Artoo and Jar Jar head towards Mos Espa spaceport (dissonant, subdued winds, falling chord motif, subtle percussion rhythm).    1:52: Pod racing contestants move out to the starting grid.  The 2-headed, bi-lingual MC introduces the contestants.  Anakin waves to the crowd.  A "flag parade" moves onto the track (regal, militaristic march on brass and drums/soaring strings, extended concert suite alternate).
8	3:53	He Is the Chosen One	0:00: When the Jedi Council refuses to take Anakin on as a trainee, Qui-Gon offers to train him himself (fateful string figures, Force theme cut off).  The Council tells Qui-Gon to first go back to Naboo with the Queen and investigate the Sith he encountered (Anakin’s theme, noble brass chords, thoughtful/sinister textures). 1:34: The heroes return to the launch pad (Luke's theme variation in trombones into fanfare).  Obi-Wan asks Qui-Gon why he does not agree with the Jedi Council (low strings).  Qui-Gon gives Anakin some advice and explains midi-chlorians to him (Anakin's theme, etc.).  Queen Amidala appears and after everyone boards the ship, they launch for Naboo (regal figures, fanfare).
9	4:24	Anakin Defeats Sebulba	0:00: Before the pod race, Sebulba sabotages Anakin's pod racer (dissonant strings/sinister winds). 0:24: Qui-Gon gives Anakin some final advice (soft strings, Force theme on horn). 0:46: Jabba the Hutt makes his appearance (loose Jabba theme variation on brass with soaring polyphonic fanfare figures, snare roll).  He signals for the race to begin (extended alternate). 1:37: Anakin's pod racer loses power due to Sebulba's sabotage (building tension in strings/brass).  Anakin fixes the problem and pulls ahead of Sebulba (unused alternate, partially replaced in film by "Escape from Naboo").
10	4:40	Passage Through the Planet Core	0:00: After entering the Gungan bubble city, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Jar Jar are taken to see the Gungan leader Boss Nass, who refuses to help the Naboo.  Qui-Gon uses a Jedi Mind trick to obtain transport to the Naboo capitol (subdued female choir/synth texture leading into a recorder solo, tremolo textures). 1:59: Qui-Gon bargains for Jar Jar to accompany them (strings/harp/etc, dialogue between noble trombone figures and gruff tuba figures). 3:02: The heroes depart in a "bongo sub".  As Jar Jar explains why he was banished, the ship is pursued by a giant "gooberfish" (female choir with wind ornaments, intercut with brass/timpani accents, soaring brass "escape" figure).
11	4:57	Watto's Deal and Kids at Play	0:00: Qui-Gon makes a new bet with Watto, with Anakin's freedom as the stakes (ironic winds, strings).  Padme is disturbed when she finds out Anakin has never even finished a race yet (low winds, wind and string dialogues, Anakin’s theme on winds). 1:23: The Sith probe droids scan the city (Sith Chant) (unused). 1:38: Qui-Gon makes a bargain with Watto to enter Anakin in the pod race (high synth/harp/perc.). 1:52: Qui-Gon talks with Shmi, and tells her that the Force is strong with her son (cor anglais, mystical strings/winds, Force theme on horns).  She asks the Jedi to help her son (Shmi Skywalker’s theme on poignant strings). 3:16: Anakin's friends arrive but are skeptical of his racing chances (playful string and metal percussion, rhythmic wind accents/ornaments, Anakin’s theme on flute).  Jar Jar gets in trouble (playful strings/perc./etc).
12	3:24	Panaka and the Queen's Protectors	0:00: During the last battle, the heroes make it to the palace launch bay.  Naboo resistance pilots rush to their ships and take off (action brass, Taking Off motif, Luke theme fragment, Taking Off). 0:35: As the Naboo fighters approach the Federation Droid Control ship they engage enemy fighters (action brass, Taking Off motif, Duel of the Fates, alternate). 1:11: With the palace launch bay secured, Padme moves her forces towards the throne room (brass figures, syncopated string rhythms).  The gates open and the heroes are faced with Darth Maul.  Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan prepare to fight the Sith Lord (Darth Maul percussion theme, alternate). 1:57: Inside a Naboo fighter cockpit, Anakin opens an alternate path for Padme's forces to enter the palace.  Afterwards his ship takes off towards the Federation's Droid Control ship on autopilot (rising figures/fanfares with Taking Off motif). 2:39: Padme's forces progress through the palace and engage Battle droids (alternate, swashbuckling action figures).
13	4:51	Queen Amidala and The Naboo Palace	0:00: On Naboo, Gunray threatens the Naboo governor (tragic strings/muted brass). 0:33: After departing Tatooine, Padme reviews transmissions from Naboo (flute/harp/suspense textures), and notices Anakin, who misses his mother.  They comfort each other and he gives her a souvenir (Anakin’s theme in dialogue with soft strings). 1:55: The Queen's starship arrives at Coruscant and lands (urgent brass fanfare with soaring strings).  The heroes are met by Palpatine and the Chancellor, who sympathize with Naboo's situation (low rising bass). 2:52: (From beginning act) Queen Amidala contacts Gunray and pressures him to end the Federation blockade (concerned wind and string figures, recorder featured). 4:02: Gunray moves to cut off her communications with Naboo Senator Palpatine on Coruscant.  She realizes that an invasion will soon begin (tense brass/strings, horn/recorder featured over string/synth textures, ending in suspense swell).
14	5:14	The Droid Invasion and The Appearance of Darth Maul	0:00: As the final battle begins, the Gungan army appears out of a mist and stops on a grassy field (ethnic percussion/timpani).   0:31: The Battle droids on Naboo are activated and begin marching towards the Gungan army (Trade Federation March on brass/winds and snare). 1:05: (From opening act) Trade Federation invasion forces descend on Naboo and disembark (Trade Federation March on brass/snare/timpani with subtle synth pizzicato elements). 1:48: Back to Droid/Gungan battle? (unused I think). 2:10: Back to 1st act and underwater on Naboo: the Jedi's bongo sub regains power but is pursued by more giant sea creatures (brass/percussion action accents/figures). 2:47: The droid army approaches Theed, the Naboo capital, and takes control of the city (Trade Federation March reprise without synth). 3:16: Unused (siren effects, Darth Sidious and Darth Maul talk?) 3:46: Gunray consults with Darth Sidious (Emperor’s theme on male choir and muted brass, wind ornaments). 4:17: The bongo sub briefly loses power (female choir/swirling strings, low brass cadence). 4:37: Back to final battle? (Duel of the Fates motif, unused).
15	3:48	Qui-Gon's Noble End	0:00: Qui-Gon and Darth Maul duel (choral intro to Duel of the Fates, unused). 0:13: In the 1st act escape from Naboo, Amidala's transport launches but is targeted by blockade ships.  The shield generator is hit, but R2-D2 fixes the problem (rhythmic strings/brass "mission" motif modulating upwards with various ornamental wind/percussion accents).  Also: Anakin defeats Sebulba in the final lap of the Tatooine pod race (cue possibly originally for Padme's invasion of the palace, but that scene ended up scored with Duel of the Fates in the final film). 1:29: Qui-Gon and Maul duel in the Generator Room as Obi-Wan is trapped behind a timed force field (Darth Maul’s drum theme/piano/eerie synth textures, Sith Chant). 2:17: Maul impales Qui-Gon (poignant Duel of the Fates motif).  The Gungans are rounded up (tragic Fate figures in brass). 2:56: Padme is brought before Gunray in the throne room (Darth Maul’s theme/Sith Chants).  The false Amidala distracts Gunray and Padme is able to turn the tables with the aid of some hidden blasters (action brass figures, Duel of the Fates, hesitant figures). 3:26: Obi-Wan waits for the shields to fall so he can engage Maul (Darth Maul’s theme).
16	3:09	The High Council Meeting and Qui-Gon's Funeral	0:00: Padme sends away the Gunrays.  Palpatine congratulates the heroes, especially Anakin (soft strings/harp, noble brass/drums, strings, etc).  0:54: Yoda greets Obi-Wan and tells him that the Jedi Council allows him to train Anakin, but that he has grave reservations (brief Yoda’s theme in trombones, suspense strings into brief Vader's theme motif, mysterioso strings). 1:48: Qui-Gon is laid to rest on a burning funeral pyre.  Obi-Wan tells Anakin that he will train him.  Master Windu and Master Yoda suspect that another Sith Lord yet survives (noble brass, somber choir chant/Force theme on low strings, mysterious harp/winds).
17	9:37	Augie's Great Municipal Band and End Credits	0:00: The Gungans parade through the streets of Theed.  Boss Nass is given a "peace" globe. (brass fanfare/march with children's choir and ethnic percussion, based on Emperor’s theme in major key) 1:24: End credits, Luke's theme 2:15: Duel of the Fates suite 6:28: Anakin's theme/Vader theme

[Bilbo 3,709]

Very cool. Have you any intention of doing the other films? Clones and Sith tend not to get as much love, would love to see them broken down like this!

[EdC 16]

Thanks!  Clones and Sith will be coming up, and then the Star Wars films will be complete.  I may move on to other Williams scores like Minority Report or AI.  War of the Worlds also could use some captions I think...

[mstrox 6,651]

16 hours ago, EdC said:

(Mike Troxell's analysis was pretty handy as a starting point.  Why is that page not listed in the Analysis page? (http://www.jwfan.com/?p=3006) )

 

I don't have any pull here on ol' JWFan, but I wrote that at age ~14 with no musical knowledge, and it really makes me cringe!