A masterful score!


The unforgettable full-orchestral soundtrack music is from the Golden Age of thematic film scores, with great, soaring flying themes reminiscent of those in "The High and the Mighty" and "Around the World in Eighty Days". There's even a vocal version of the beautiful theme, with lyrics by Lenny Adelson, obviously an attempt by the studio to have a tie-in recording on the nation's playlists. Fortunately there was a soundtrack album released by American International Pictures, which is a must-have if you like the score - and it's a good bet you will.

reply

The super 8 edition released by Ken Films in the 70's used the closing bars of the theme as an intro for the Albatross. Too bad AIP didn't think of that!

"We have a powerful enemy somewhere within our planetary system." -Commando Cody

reply

Indeed a great score,
by Les Baxter, once "the father of exotica", made some interesting often big orchestral scores (like Master Of The World, or Hell's Bells). He even scored some horror movies like (Roger Corman's) The Raven and The Dunwich Horror.
I must say the score of Master Of The World is my favourite score by Les Baxter. It's a hectic flow of energetic themes/tunes, sometimes romantic then suddenly wild, so you know there's an action/adventure scene going on :p
Btw, I think this score was one of the first albums/soundtracks to be recorded in stereo.

reply

The movie's closing titles list the song, "Master of the World," with credits for music and lyrics, as well as the name of the singer. Yet I've never heard the vocal version performed in the film. Was it in the movie originally and was it cut at some point?

reply

Yes, the soundtrack is exceptional.

reply