Customer Reviews

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The soundtrack to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is an invaluable addition to the collection of any fan of John Williams. New and old themes are joined seamlessly in order to produce original and compelling melodies which reflect the action and adventure portrayed in the film. 'Short Rounds Theme' and 'Parade of the Slave Children' are particular highlights whilst the jaunty 'Anything Goes' serves as a great introduction track. Darker aspects of the movie are reflected in the macarbe 'Temple of Doom', a strange yet compelling addition to the soundtrack which demonstrates William's sheer versitality as a composer. However, the soundtrack is not without its faults. It is perhaps the fact that one went through much searching in order to attain a copy that one feels slightly dissapointed with the end result. It only contains about 40-50% of the original score and thus leaves you expecting so much more. Whilst it has its moments it does not, in my opinion, better Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Last Crusade in terms of originality and atmosphere.

It is probably the rarest of Williams scores and is extremely difficult to track down. Currently it only appears to be available on Japanese import. However, there has been discussion over the last few years that an expanded rerelease is imminent following the example set by Raiders of the Lost Ark. Let's hope that such an addition is on its way, for it is sure to give the music the attention it deserves and would greatly enhance a score which at the moment falls short of the full five star rating.

This is in my opinion, the best Indiana Jones score. The most fun, the most thrilling, and the most intense. This isn't just background music, but great to listen to for the majestic themes and eerie sounds. Shortround's theme is a true delight and is highly contrasted by the haunting chants of the temple of doom. The score is incredibly rich in sound performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. This is definitely one for the collection. Unfortuanetly, this is only about 40 some minutes of music for a 2 hour movie. The high import price might make you think twice, but if the complete version is never released, you won't regret owning this version of the soundtrack. Had there been more music, I would give this a 7.

The soundtrack to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, although pricy (cost me $60), is worth every penny I spent on it. Williams does not fail in creating some of the most heraldic and horrifying themes. This score is scary at times, funny in others, and heroic in general. Definatly a great soundtrack, and is reccommended to EVERYBODY.

After composing one of the best scores of his career, John Williams continued with the franchise to score it's prequel and sequel. In "Temple of Doom," he introduces new themes that are just as wonderful as any other Indiana Jones themes.

Included in these themes is a childish theme played on some kind of percussion for Short Round. It's comparable to the Ewok theme from "Return of the Jedi," but because it never makes an appearance for more than a few seconds, it won't easily get on your nerves. In addition, when this theme is played by the full orchestra, it even sounds heroic.

Willie Scott seems to have two themes. One is played slowly on the violins, and is comparable to other romatic themes (including Marion's from "Raiders"). Her other theme reflects how out of place a night club singer is in the jungles and caves of India.

The Slave Children's Crusade is my favorite part of this album. This brass-heavy theme shows more determination than any other musical piece I know, and it works just as well on album as it does in the film.

The last major recurring theme in the film is "The Temple of Doom." I find that I have to turn up the volume every time this song comes around. Not because I like the music, though; it is so much quieter than the rest of the CD and I have trouble hearing it otherwise. Up to a point, this is the same cult music sung when one of the Thuggees is lowered into a pit of lava. It works better in the film than it does on the album, but it's still sure to send chills down your back. The earsplitting cry at the end could either make this peice your favorite, or it could ruin it for you.

Though "The Mine Car Chase" is often compared to the "Desert Chase" from "Raiders" or "Belly of the Steel Beast" from "Crusade," I find that it fails to do anything but support the speed of the chase. There is very little theme besides that. I much prefer the "Slalm on Mt. Humol" (which is only too short). "Bug Tunnel and Death Trap" is comparable to "The Trash Compactor" from "Star Wars," but while in "Star Wars" the music sounded really desparate, in "Temple of Doom" it is a little humorous. Most of the rest is typical John Williams underscore for an Indiana Jones movie.

That being said; the music is terribly out of order on this album. They should be arranged 1, 2, 6, 4, 3, 8, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11. There is only 37:20 of score on the album. Many great themes were left out that could have been included (including what I think of as the Indian Temple theme which you briefly hear around 2:20 in "The Mine Car Chase"). There is absolutley no score included from the end of the mine cars until the end of the movie. I would have loved to hear the simple drums he used to score the bridge confrontation, but it's missing. This is one of the most pathetic releases of a soundtrack I've ever heard, and that is why I only give the CD 3 stars.

At the price people are selling the CD, it's not worth it. I wouldn't pay more than $30 for this CD. There are pirated copies of the complete score of two discs which I would reccomend over this version. Other than that, just hope that this soundtrack gets the re-release treatment it deserves.

I was really ticked when I saw the price for this CD. And yeah it is a little pricy but you will get every dime that you put into it back every time that you press the play button. I really love this CD. John williams again did another wonderful job. And of course if you have seen this movie as much as I have you can you can see the movie playing forth in your mind. I love it and I think that the best track is the End Credits. I get chills everytime I listen to it and of coursetrack #9 which gives me the chills. A very well done CD and a very good investment.

This soundtrack is my least favorite of the three but, however, it is still nevertheless an incredible score. The theme for the slave children is one of the best I've heard on a film score. The whole soundtrack is a fun listening experience. The only thing I would have done differently was to add in the concert version of the slave children, its quite incredible. But other than that, it's an amazing score and I highly recommend it.

I would like to congratulate Amazon.com for stocking this superb and very hard to obtain CD. It is a pity that the CD did not contain the tracks with the indian music (dancing girls) and walking in the forest. However this is a great value album despite this.

Hello everyone. I am an avid collector of rare and out-of-print promotional film scores. With over 200 in my collection, I know the subject well! I just want you to know that there is a special version of John Williams' classic score to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom containing 21 tracks (I own a copy). If you are interested here is the track listing for the item:

1. Anthing Goes (2:49)
2. Fast Streets of Shanghai (3:38)
3. Nocturnal Activities (5:53)
4. Short Round's Theme (2:28)
5. Children in Chains (2:41)
6. Slalom on Mount Humol (2:22)
7. The Temple of Doom (2:57)
8. Bug Tunnel and Death Trap (3:28)
9. Slave Children's Crusade (3:21)
10. The Mine Car Chase (3:38)
11. Finale & End Credits (6:16)

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Anything Goes (2:58)
13. Parade of the Slave Children (4:50)
14. Nocturnal Activities (2:02)
15. Short Round's Theme (2:25)
16. Suite (5:25)
17. Parade of the Slave Children (2:17)
18. The Mine Car Chase (3:32)
19. Finale & End Credits (6:28)
20. Anything Goes (2:59)
21. Suite (5:51)

I've also seen an alternate version on eBay that probably has the same music but a different track listing:

CD1:

1. Anything Goes
2. Anything Goes (Instrumental)
3. Anything Goes Fanfare
4. Diamond Deal & Fast Streets of Shanghai
5. Slalom on Mount Humol & the Village
6. Fortune and Glory
7. The Trek
8. Welcome to Pankot Palace
9. Mara Raja & The Dinner
10. Nocturnal Activities
11. Bug Tunnel and Death Trap
12. The Thuk Ceremony

CD2:

13. Stealing the Stones
14. The Blood of Khali
15. Short Round's Escape
16. Underground Chaos
17. The Mine Car Chase
18. The Bridge, Finale, & End Credits
19. Parade of the Slave Children (Concert Version)
20. Finale and End Credits (Album Version)

This is really the best Indiana Jones soundtrack and maybe one of the best scores ever made.
This Indy score contains a perfect new theme: The Slave Theme. Another excellent track is: Mine Car Chase. The Raiders march from the previous Indy score is used again (Thank God!) This score isn't cheap, but I think you won't regret!
Buy it now!

John Williams produced yet another masterpiece from the Indy trilogy when he wrote this one. The album may be short, but don't fret. (There are reports of an expanded U.S. release due out in 1 or 2 years.) This CD still retains much of the great music in the film--i.e. Slave Children's Crusade; The Temple of Doom. If you like good film music, then DON'T PASS THIS ONE UP!