The Baton: A John Williams Musical Journey
TV & Film:Film History
"The Missouri Breaks" is arguably the worst film to feature a John Williams score ... at least up to that point in his 17 years as a film composer. Though it starred Oscar-winning actors Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson, it was a misfire from the start, with Brando going off the rails in terms of acting choices, and Nicholson looking unfit for a Western. John Williams took on the challenge of using music to keep the film on track, but Williams himself takes some eccentric choices. The primary derivation Williams took was using a very small ensemble for his score instead of an orchestra filled with dozens of musicians. The score is dominated by harmonica and guitar, with a love theme that desperately needed strings. The film has gained a cult following. Does the score deserve the same? Host Jeff Commings believes it's on par with the other 1967 scores by Williams: decent but forgettable. Take a listen to the music and judge for yourself.
Episode 74 - Home Alone 2
Episode 73 - Far and Away
Episode 72 - JFK
Episode 71 - Hook
Episode 70 - Home Alone
Episode 69 - Presumed Innocent
Episode 68 - Stanley & Iris
Episode 67 - Always
Episode 66 - Born on the Fourth of July
Episode 65 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Episode 64 - The Accidental Tourist
Episode 63 - Empire of the Sun
Episode 62 - The Witches of Eastwick
Episode 61 - SpaceCamp
Episode 60 - The River
Episode 59 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Episode 58 - Return of the Jedi
Episode 57 - Monsignor
Episode 56 - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Episode 55 - Heartbeeps
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