Essential Soundtracks These are the must own Jerry Goldsmith soundtracks, in our humble opinion. If you are new to Jerry Goldsmith then buy these titles first! Star Trek The Motion Picture This really must be Jerry Goldsmith's greatest score. Primarily for his wondrous and breathtaking new theme. Goldsmith revealed in interview this was his toughest theme he ever wrote. Total Recall The action packed opus is the closest Jerry Goldsmith got to writing a symphony for a film soundtrack. Whether you like action scores or not only a fool would ignore the power and majesty of what Jerry Goldsmith achieved. A reference album of unbridled thrills and spills. Chinatown Many composer's have to re-score movies in a very short time and under extreme pressure. Chinatown tops the lot for being better for being written in ten days than if Goldsmith had slaved over it for a year. A masterful idea classically executed. Planet Of The Apes Groundbreaking primal scoring that should have scooped the Oscar. Goldsmith's score will endure to the end of days. Nothing comes close to making film music uncompromising but utterly memorable as this. Basic Instinct Goldsmith was about to hand in the towel on this one but director Paul Verhoeven was having none of it. It was enough to bring out the best in Goldsmith, and not only a perfect theme that only a master could write but a whole score that is simply sex. The Russia House Goldsmith's theme was once intended for two aborted projects (Wall Street and Alien Nation). It finally found the perfect home here in Fred Schepisi's gorgeous love story set against the backdrop of intrigue in post Glasnost Russia. A truly lovely score anchored by a perfect theme. Under Fire Originally to have been scored by Pat Metheny but realising he could not write a score the producers wisely engaged Goldsmith. Goldsmith found inspiration from the music of the Andes rather than the film's actual locale of Nicaragua. Another Oscar worthy effort that brims with melodic invention. Patton War movies often bring out some of the most moving scores ever written. Some make as much noise as the battlefield. Goldsmith's Patton captures the spirit of the entire picture and every element with a minuscule amount of scoring which says it all. Unforgettable. The Final Conflict Jerry Goldsmith may have won the Oscar for the first movie, and quite rightly so. It remains a true classic. But you need to start with the third and final film in the trilogy to see how great Goldsmith truly was when it came to the Omen scores. The movie was a pretty average effort and had none of the intensity of the first, or even the second. But musically it is absolutely stunning. A blend of cathedral beauty and terrifying horror scoring. A Patch Of Blue When you think that this score was written at an early part of Goldsmith's career it makes it even more incredible to hear such a perfectly tuned masterpiece for one of the best dramas of the sixties. Goldsmith's score is a delight, never overstating the sentiment but adding to the joy of this wonderful movie.   First Blood Action scores were of course Goldsmith's forte, and First Blood was hardly the first and of course the last. The rousing sequel scores were as powerful if not more so. But the first score of the trilogy is where everything was established. The haunting main theme and the brutal action cues as Rambo gets ever more violent are simply astounding. The Blue Max Another early score that confirmed Goldsmith's arrival and ability to score an epic. The movie may not have gone on to become a classic but Goldsmith's score is a reference work. The intensity of war and the magic of flight are captured brilliantly.   The Wind And The Lion Ethnic scoring played a major part of Goldsmith's scoring career. He was fascinated with exploring the musical cultures of other countries when a movie's locale demanded it. The Wind And The Lion is the glorious example. A majestic love theme is transformed into a ferocious battle cry, while the remainder of the score is a rich canvas of ethnic colours  that captures the Moroccan setting. Islands In The Stream Goldsmith's personal favourite amongst his many great scores. The perfect collaboration with friend and mentor Franklin J Schaffner. The score speaks volumes and clearly Goldsmith could relate to George C Scott's performance as a father. A wonderful re-recording of a beautiful score that could have you in tears. The Sand Pebbles Originally to have been scored by friend Alex North, Goldsmith got the assignment on recommendation and again went on to write a score that would not normally be expected of someone at such an early point in their career. Another epic work highlighted by a wonderful theme and far eastern colours.