Sphere (Goldenthal)
Jungle Book (Live action version by Basil Poledouris)
The Good Son (Elmer Bernstein)
Searching For Bobby Fischer (Horner)
Ivanhoe (Broughton re-recording)
Quigley Down Under (Poledouris)
Julius Ceasar (Broughton Re-recording)
Ben-Hur (2 Disc Book version)
Death Becomes Her (Silvestri)
Chinatown (Goldsmith)
The Russia House (Goldsmith)
Gorky Park (Horner)
The Cassandra Crossing (Goldsmith)
The Great Escape (Bernstein - Ryko version)

Also how many versions of El-Cid are there? I found a re-recording but I can't remember who did it. The cover was white with El-Cid in big letters.

It has been quite awhile since I've seen these movies so I can't remember the music that much. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

NP: The Magnifecent Seven (Ryko Version)

Pick up the Goldsmith scores, my good man.

Cassandra Crossing contains a lot of rough but rhythmic dissonant music but has a romantic Goldsmith main theme thrown into the mix. A dated performance of the love theme at the middle of the album oozes with a 70s sound, but it's fun and just plain groovy--a highlight.

Chinatown is supposively a must have and a true accomplishment. I do own it, but I basically never listen to it.

The Russia House is pretty much the repeat of 3 themes over and over, but it's a great listen. The last track is excellent and utilizes the saxophone, present and performed with skill throughout the score, very well. The love theme is great, but I actually prefer the concert version without the sax (not on the album).

if you do not pick up the Broughton re-recordings of Rozsa's Ivanhoe and Julius Caesar, you will be taunted endlessly for the rest of your life.

Now, I don't want to taunt anyone, but I will if I have to.

In addition, you will be severely flogged if you don't bother to pick up the 2CD Ben-Hur.
This is simply a must for anyone who fancies themselves a score fan.

Flogging facilities are located in Pennsylvania, in the greater Altoona area.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/~cm1jwb/jcaesarcd.htm

my review of Julius Caesar

THE RUSSIA HOUSE, on the other hand, repetitive as it is, is deeply engaging and arguably far more accessible. THE CASSANDRA CROSSING is enormous fun, and I recommend it highly, esp. if you're already fond of Goldsmith in 70s action mode.

SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER is one of James Horner's best 90s scores. GORKY PARK is a fun early Horner score, very similar to the previous 48 HRS. and subsequent RED HEAT, but worth having just for the love theme, and the action stuff is sparely written -- lots of synths -- but excellent.

I saw part of THE GOOD SON, a movie I hated, on TV again the other week, and thought Bernstein's music was far better than I'd remembered. I wished I'd bought the album back when it was still easily accessible at used stores.

DEATH BECOMES HER is an accomplished film score, but not one I care to own, although there's nothing wrong with the music as such.

SPHERE -- I detested this movie, and I don't remember the music, although Goldenthal is usually reliable. One of those half-hour Varese jobbies, isn't it? John Williams, who had recently scored director Barry Levinson's SLEEPERS, was first attached to this project, but either scheduling problems happened, or Williams came to his senses and bailed (as he did on INCHON, for example).

THE GREAT ESCAPE -- did you like CHICKEN RUN? Then you should like this!

QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER -- Mom is correct, a wonderful Basil Poledouris Western score, lovely jaunty main theme.

As for the others, I don't know the specific issues in question, so cannot comment -- except for Basil Poledouris' JUNGLE BOOK, which I never have managed to warm up to, though I'm a fan of his.

And Ben-Hur too.

And Julius Caesar.

Mmmmmmm.