WHERE EAGLES DARE / OPERATION CROSSBOW

Label: FSMCD Vol.6 No.21
Date: 1968 / 1965
Tracks: 50
Time = 152:44

2 CD Set

Spectacular world premiere of complete soundtrack from WWII action thriller starring Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood. Ron Goodwin creates wildly popular score. Main theme an interesting combination of massive, symmetrical blocks of brass punctuated by martial cadences in percussion. Goodwin builds idea through repetition in various registers, adds canonic figures, at one point transforms orchestra into giant percussion section. Score balances suspense with action, always retaining clearly defined architecture. Over ninety minutes premiere from original stereo master elements. Incredible co-bill happily finds world premiere of earlier WWII score by same composer. OPERATION CROSSBOW presents George Peppard, Sophia Loren interfering with German attempts to perfect V-2. Here Goodwin fashions energetic main theme in rousing British martial tradition, adds gentle elements for tender-tragic middle section of movie. Complete forty-five minute score appears in stereo from original master elements. FSM's customary top drawer production values in presentation, liner notes, graphics add icing to cake. Bullseye!