Customer Reviews

Land Of The Giants: Original Television Soundtrack

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4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
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I don't need to tell you how good the music is. Everyone else has already done that. And besides, you wouldn't be here if you didn't already like it.
Just be forewarned: the track listing doesn't match the actual number of tracks. The cd states that there are 11 tracks. There are actually 10. What are listed as tracks 4 and 5 are actually combined on the cd as track 4. Adjust the track labels accordingly.

This CD Soundtrack contains music by two of the more prolific (and well-known) television theme composers. "Land of the Giants" only lasted two years in the late 60's but the show apparently has a faithful following and the music was an integral part of the show. According to the CD liner notes, there was over 40 minutes of music in each one hour episode. If you watched this show as a kid, take a trip down memory lane and get this CD!

Johnny Williams, now called and known as the "John Williams" of "Star Wars" and many other scores to numerous to mention, compiled music for "Land of the Giants" series and episode for "The Crash" on April 15th, 1968. Williams original theme for the series begins with a hint of danger, but quickly segues into a rhythmic, upbeat signature featuring French horns. This score is highly dramatic, restless and the most musically advanced for it's time on the small tube.

It's clear to see why Williams triumphed during this period of his career, as he went on to "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) and "The Towering Inferno" (1974), both of which would require considerable dramatic music and both brough Williams Academy Award Nominations. The opening and closing themes for Season One and Two are truly classic television scoring. GNP/Crescendo you're the only label we can count on, another winner for all - "True Sci-Fi Collectors"!

Total Time: 43:21 on 11 Tracks/ GNP-Crescendo Records - GNPD 8048 (1996)

Just the sound of the theme music would make my pulse race as a kid and almost 30 years later it still works it magic!

As brilliant as anything ever done by the composer, "Land of the Giants" is a roller coaster ride befitting the "larger-than-life" escapades of the crew and passengers of the Spindrift as they try to survive in a world of gargantuan proportions. This bit of early John Williams illustrates why he has been one of the top choices by directors for over forty years.

I like a few of the Williams tracks. Such as GIANT'S EYE. With that trumpet passage that's later taken up by the flute. HIDDEN GUN benefits from the electric-piano echoplex or whatever the heck it is. But then those french horns come blasting in again to annoy the crap out of me. There's too much empty french-horn blowhardism from Williams. Courage's score is actually preferable if only because it's easier on the ear. It's dependably loaded with those Courage-esque chromatic brass descensions.