# Best Orchestral Movie Theme **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 11, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224 "2015-06-11T00:38:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/1 "2015-06-11T00:38:08Z")
I was watching _Superman Returns_, admittedly not the best of the Superman movies (though unfairly maligned), and when the theme came up it gave me the usual chills up and down my spine. I’ve never been able to pinpoint why that is, but it is truly an amazing piece of music, even for a prolific (and perhaps plagiaristic) composer like John Williams. I’d have to say that it is my favorite orchestral theme. There are others that I think are fantastic, though, like _Star Wars_ (of course), James Horner’s nautical-based theme to _Star Trek II_, Danny Elfman’s _Batman_, _Close Encounters_… I could go on for a while, but I’ll let you guys throw some out there. I’ll stick with Superman, though, as the best. Let’s stick to original music for this, though. If we don’t we open the door for things like Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” from _Platoon_ or Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” from _2001_. While those are amazing, they aren’t specifically limited to the movies they might now be known for. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/2 "2015-06-11T00:51:30Z")
Link? ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/3 "2015-06-11T01:13:06Z")
Anything by Basil Poledouris is good. Conan, Robocop and Starship Troopers all come to mind. In many cases, his music was the best part of the movie in question. Without Basil, my childhood would have been seriously stunted. Then there’s Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit, too, but to a lesser extent. Star Wars has already been mentioned. While there’s a major style shift between originals and prequels, they are all very good. Crimson Tide deserves an honorable mention. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/4 "2015-06-11T01:18:09Z")
Dances With Wolves - I love that. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/5 "2015-06-11T01:21:01Z")
William’s _Jurassic Park_ theme is pretty good. Maurice Jarre’s barn raising in _Witness_ is also excellent. [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qte_Ne5mpJk) ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/6 "2015-06-11T01:22:39Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Anything by Basil Poledouris is good. Conan, Robocop and Starship Troopers all come to mind. In many cases, his music was the best part of the movie in question. Without Basil, my childhood would have been seriously stunted. My personal favorite Basil Poledouris theme is from _Hunt For Red October_. The opening of that movie is quite striking. He tended to be very militaristic in his scoring, which made him perfect for the movies he did. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/7 "2015-06-11T01:25:19Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > My personal favorite Basil Poledouris theme is from _Hunt For Red October_. The opening of that movie is quite striking. He tended to be very militaristic in his scoring, which made him perfect for the movies he did. Uh oh, now I have to go watch Hunt for Red October again. I didn’t realize it was one of his scores. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/8 "2015-06-11T01:31:52Z")
I’m partial to [Best Soundtracks Of All Time - Track 35 - Schindler’s List Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VorGotjeLjM) as an off-the-top-of-my-head response. I’ll try to make a list. Good idea for a thread! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/9 "2015-06-11T01:54:48Z")
There are a lot of them. I really like Elmer Bernstein’s theme for \*\*The Magnificent Seven[/BN] (which Marlboro ended up using for their cigarette TV commercials). John Williams’ themes for **Superman, Star Wars,** and **Jurassic Park** have already been mentioned, but his **Indiana Jones** themes were great, too I’m also a huge fan of Bernard Hermann’s themes – he did some notable Hitchcock music, and music for Ray Harryhausen films. But my current favorite is James Horner’s very classic theme for **The Rocketeer**. Disney also used it for several trailers afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/10 "2015-06-11T02:00:29Z")
I love John Williams themes. Many are well known, But Star Wars is iconic. Ennio Morricone, especially TG,TB&TU. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/11 "2015-06-11T02:06:35Z")
The Great Escape The Dambusters ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/12 "2015-06-11T02:13:11Z")
Without naming a specific movie, I just want Henry Mancini’s name in this thread! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/13 "2015-06-11T02:13:27Z")
Casino Royale (1967) , Burt Bacharach’s theme is the only good part. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/14 "2015-06-11T02:24:01Z")
I agree with all the William’s love–but no one mentioned **Jaws**? ---
**Author:** ![Dibbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/15 "2015-06-11T02:31:51Z")
It’s a slam dunk: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaXzeQoWTko) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/16 "2015-06-11T02:35:33Z")
Murder by Death. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/17 "2015-06-11T02:37:59Z")
Doctor No. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/18 "2015-06-11T03:10:13Z")
Bullitt And just about anything from Lalo Schiffrin ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/19 "2015-06-11T03:12:19Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Casino Royale (1967) , Burt Bacharach’s theme is the only good part. I love the absurdity of this movie. Its over the top and so 60’s. Great weed film for those who are into that. Lots of stars of the era and absolutely beautiful women. And then there is Peter Sellers and Ursula Andress and The Look of Love. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224/20 "2015-06-11T03:16:46Z")
Lalo Schifrin has done many excellent scores, among my favorites of which include [Bullitt - Opening Credits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__L_OQe6NE) and [Bullitt, Music Stereo Soundtrack “Shifting Gears” By Lalo Schifrin. HQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAGL8C9y8bg) Just saw your post, **madsircool**! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-orchestral-movie-theme/722224.md?page=2)