Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT]

John Williams (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: John Williams
• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack, Import
• Label: Import [Generic]
• ASIN: B000007QSE
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #274,366 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Anything Goes

2. Fast Streets Of Shanghai

3. Nocturnal Activities

4. Short Round's Theme

5. Children In Chains

6. Slalom On Mt. Humol

7. The Temple Of Doom

8. Bug Tunnel And Death Trap

9. Slave Children's Crusade

10. The Mine Car Chase

11. Finale And End Credits

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Japanese pressing of John Williams' soundtrack to the secondof Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones films, 1984's 'Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom'. 1984 release on Polydor. 11 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indiana Jones and the Missing Sountrack, February 28, 2000

By	TR Winn (Cambridge, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good music, Awful CD, March 21, 2006

By	Mark E. Yurgil (Woodstock, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of John Williams, February 27, 2000

By	Coheteboy (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

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.