Masterpieces of film music: from Hollywood classics to Japanese cinema

The Great Escape MarchElmer Bernstein

Steve McQueen - The Great Escape March

The Great Escape is a 1963 American film.

It is an unusual war movie that depicts a mass escape without any battle scenes.

The Great Escape March, composed by Elmer Bernstein, is used in the film’s iconic scenes, and at the time it became a hit when sung by the Mitch Miller Chorus.

Star Wars Main ThemeJohn Williams

Star Wars Main Theme (Full)

The main theme from Star Wars, a towering landmark of science fiction cinema that has continued as a series for a remarkable forty years.

This is another famous piece everyone has heard.

Its grand, brass-driven orchestration alone fills you with excitement.

In the film’s opening, the moment of perfect silence when the words “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” appear, followed immediately by this music—the surge of exhilaration is irresistible.

Take A Look AroundLimp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit – (Mission Impossible 2)

The blockbuster Mission: Impossible series.

This is the theme song for its second installment.

Limp Bizkit arranged the theme from the first film in their signature nu-metal style.

By fusing heavy metal and hip-hop, they deliver a cool result that heightens the movie’s world without compromising the familiar melody of the original track.

Plein SoleilNino Rota

Plein Soleil – Purple Noon – Nino Rota

This is the theme song from the suspense film Purple Noon, starring Alain Delon, the very symbol of a handsome leading man.

It is also widely known as a masterpiece of film music.

Nino Rota, who composed it, worked on numerous film scores, but it is said that he really wanted to live in the world of classical music.

Hail Holy QueenSister Act

Sister Act – Hail Holy Queen (Hi Def)

It’s a comedy film about a club singer on the run from a gang who whips a rundown choir into stardom.

It also became Whoopi Goldberg’s breakout role.

In the movie, they swap some of the hymn’s lyrics into Latin and give it a Motown-style arrangement, delivering an exhilarating performance.

These days, this gospel version is sung around the world even more than the original.

It’s an uplifting song that makes you want to clap along naturally.

The Last EmperorSakamoto Ryuichi

The Last Emperor

The Last Emperor is a 1987 historical film, a co-production of Italy, China, and the United Kingdom, depicting the life of Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China.

The music was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, and the film won numerous awards.

This became the opportunity for him to be recognized as “Sakamoto of the World.”

Cinema ParadisoEnnio Morricone

Ennio Morricone – Cinema Paradiso (In Concerto – Venezia 10.11.07)

Cinema Paradiso is an Italian film released in 1988.

It tells the story of a middle-aged man reminiscing about his boyhood fascination with cinema and his youthful romance—a masterpiece brimming with love for film, sentiment, and nostalgia.

Ennio Morricone’s music further heightens the emotional impact of the film.