Great Western Movie Themes ;How The West Was Won

[RImusclebear1]

God what a picture!

[navyens19]

im 16 its my dads faveorite movie

[leesherman100]

A great film with a history lesson thrown in. Wonderful music as well. One of my favorite flicks.

[MrOldgeorge1949]

Iwatched this w3when it came out great then an now

[33Keith33]

I just bought this film on Blu Ray. It's great to see it fully restored in hi definition and the "seams" are almost invisible through the entire film.

[RImusclebear1]

This is my alarm tone Monday though Friday to get up in the morning! It wakes me up!

[busterboypk]

Based on the book by Louis L'Amour. Best Part.

[jordi12233]

best oveture ever

[compsecure77]

One cannot quantify the work of composers such as this or indeed compare one with another, they each had their own particular skill which they brought to the table and added to the broad colourful tapestry that makes up this genre of big vista movies and even bigger talented composers to give the film breadth feeling and emotion and much much more. Comparisons are pointless just sit back and enjoy thats what they intendedwhen they composed this genius.

[compsecure77]

One of Maldens best efforts and there were not many lemons if any in this icons body of work. A masterpiece not really appreciated at the time but now seen for the brilliant movie it was. Brilliant cast and equally brilliant photography in short a one off epic the likes of which will never be seen again and typical of many in the 1960s, what a period to have lived through.

[KsTiggerMom]

My Mom worked in a Cinerama theater at the time. I remember as a kid going to this. It was so long they had an intermission. I love watching it on DVD because they left the intermissiono intact. So you can listen to 10 minutes of the soundtrack. It was a hallmark in films. 1 of the first to have an all-star ensemble cast with no LEAD. Even the bot parts had major actors (John Wayne as an Army General - had about 4 lines). I even got my jaded children to sit, watch & enjoy this one.

[schallrd1]

Epic motion picture with Newman's soundtrack.

I remember seeing in theater in Cinerama. It was a visual treat and special experience for it's time.

The train robbery sequence still stands as one of the best western actionn scenes. It really needs to be experienced on the big screen as it was meant to be viewed.

[toajallerproductions]

My MS band played this a little bit slower.

[c44LuWanda]

Magnificent!! One of the finest westerns ever made. Excellent actor/actresses... they don't make them like they used to.

[leeweis100]

best western theme ever

[ibx33]

This has to be the best movie theme of all time.

[donnahide]

This movie has been a big explosion of big passion for creating great movie!!!

Recently anybody can't movies like this..A legend..

[Baruchyoseph8]

Fantastic soundtrack.

[naboonice24]

FONDA FONDA FONDA

[immasupernerd]

i love playing this in band i play clarinet!

[1writeranne]

This was the first movie I ever saw in a movie theater, and with Cinerama, too! My mom took me to see this and I was awestruck as a small child. This stirring theme does indeed bring back a lot of happy memories of geing to see the movie, though there are many heartbreaking moments in the film itself. A chronicle of the human condition, in many ways.

[jondoe8889]

This was one of those defining 'happy moments', when I was a kid. Sitting in the fancy theater, watching this grand spectacle- in Cinerama! The family was all together, everyone happy and awestruck. I can still picture us there, a moment I'll never forget. I had the soundtrack as a kid, too. Now, it helps me remember the good times.

[MrDuncan1949]

i saw this film on cinerama ,it was awesome such a vast landscape brill

[hang10jerry]

This movie really touched me. The part when Caroll Baker says she wants to go no furter and settle in the medow and her sister (Debbie Renolds) catches the ferry boat just tugs at my heart. Also when the son comes home and the graves of his father and mother are there. And the fathers graved is empty.

[78smusicman]

Great movie, and the soundtrack helps tell the story , I have th LP and love it !!!!!!!

[bobbutch52]

Never has a movie been made like this one, so many great stars!!!! and sound track.

[ScarecrowPuppet]

@USful actually the only western theme i know that has whistling in it is Clint Eastwood's "A Fistful of Dollars." Not "For a Few Dollars More."

[MCP2012]

One of Alfred Newman's best (along with *Airport*, of course).

[angrysuarez]

I play this after I'm done hittin skins

[MeriloLB]

I play this song with my phone when I get my grades at school. :P

[luigicamp69]

Absolutely love this movie. I had the chance to see it Cinerama in L.A. in 2005.

[matt484991]

I'd give anything to see this in Cinerama!

[jbejaran]

Look forward to playing this theme when the Giants clinch the NL West!!!

[nickj1688]

i play that song in my band class

[USful]

Does anyone know the name of the western song were there is mostly whistling? THe one were you would picture a lone cowboy traveling through the plains? OR somting like that?

[C3P0meetsData]

@USful I totally know which one you're talking about! It's the theme from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" from 1966.

[tacotornado]

@USful I think you are looking for the main theme of "For a Few Dollars More".

[USful]

@tacotornado Something like that, but not that.... i really don't know how t odescribe it, i think its what you would stereotype Western Music as? idk. I will keep looking anyway.

[gunny556fly]

ahh finaly these songs have a game to go with its great playing songs like this in red dead redemption when you get a possie and just ride!

[pezracing20]

im playing this in a drum core its soooooooooo awsome and this version is defenetly the best uve ever heard fantastick jib man

[CptEdwards]

cant we all just agree that it was and always will be a fantastic film and one of the best western movies ever made

[mgang4020]

Man!! I love this. It sounds so awesome and inspiring!!

[ReinhardtvonMeinhard]

God, how I love this piece of music!

[94puppyeyez]

@ReinhardtvonMeinhard my grandpa compsoed this :D

[CptEdwards]

Only 3 Cinerama films made and only one theater with the Cinerama projectors installed still

[BRUC2016]

Correction --- the movie was filmed in Cinerama. See the Wikipedia entry for

Cinerama for an explanation about the filming process.

[tommerrigan1956]

i'm sure the Native American people will be delighted to know the West "was won."

[ajaxbo1]

History is replete with examples of conquest.

The United States government declared war on the The Confederacy in 1861, invaded it, and conquered it in 1865 People in the South have generally gotten over it. Native American tribes didn't always live in harmony with each other. Notice that Native Americans have been granted special rights by the US government, for instance, the right to operate lucrative casinos and operate their own governments.

[imkluu]

Well, there was a fight over a lot of it and one side lost and one side won. Not saying it was a fair fight but the word 'won' still applies.

[tommerrigan1956]

Can't argue with that logic.

[interphazor]

@tommerrigan1956 oh get over it. white ppl came. they had better technology. they won. c'est la vie. the brown man got back at them by introducing them to tobacco... which has killed more than the white man cud ever claim.

[river2walk]

@interphazor The white mans technology was not always great.....during one stunt when the :bad:guys; were being chased on a speeding train and the huge logs were swinging from side to side, one man fell from the train and lost a leg...pretty dangerous job!

[tommerrigan1956]

@interphazor Your empathetic attitude is noted. Look Wally, please do us all a favor and take up cigarette smoking. What a waste of oxygen...

[interphazor]

@tommerrigan1956 who's "Wally"?

[tommerrigan1956]

@interphazor Beaver's big brother.

[gobabygo90809]

@tommerrigan1956 well they sucked at fighting so badly that they lost big time. maybe the money that they rob from people with their casinos is their twisted revenge of them losing their savage ways.

[BRUC2016]

Some people maybe aren't aware that this movie was filmed in Cinemascope, and it was mainly for that reason that people saw it in the movie theaters. Yes, the movie had an all-star cast, but seeing the image projected on three screens panoramically was dazzling in 1962. I should know...I was 9 years old when I saw How The West Was Won at the Capri Theater in Dallas, Texas.

[windbeamproductions]

@BRUC2016 OHHHH! Is THAT was Cinemascope was? Wow. I always took that for granted when I would see that, "Cinemascope" thing on a movie, I didn't realize what it actually meant. T/Y!

[BRUC2016]

Actually, it was Cinerama. I think Hollywood stopped filming movies in Cinerama in the early 70s.

[snaedwiev]

This is a stiff rendition with no passion, fire, or soul.

spend the 99 cents on itunes for cryin' out loud and hear the real thing. The original main theme is a masterpiece performance that kicksass!!! no brag, just fact :-)

[hoedler]

who composed that piece?

[fonduNinja]

Alfred Newman

[KingstonFallsTheatre]

This was used in the beginning western scene of Romancing the Stone! :)

[rosesfororion]

A very evocative theme.

[MondoBone]

I've become really obsessed with these kinds of themes lately. I never really got into westerns but the music is really "ambitious, exciting, and adventurous".

I like the gunslinger type stuff with reverb guitar as well, but this stuff is awesome.

What makes this kind of stuff sound so "train chase, cowboy, guns"? And what is the name of the genre?

Stupid questions, but I'd like to find more stuff like this.

[anr274]

Magnificent seven theme.

[anr274]

mondobone some other good themes is the the good, the bad the ugly, hang em high, high noon, man with no name etc...

[rsjtoday]

who did this movie because the views are John Ford like I think that is why I love it so much

[mjmredleaf]

The movie was directed in parts by yes John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall and Richard Thorpe. Not sure if anyone answered your question so there you go. (-;

[hulkmeister23]

How the West Was Won, accurate or not?

[magz52]

This was a fantastic movie the stars were brilliant none of todays movies stars come close to the skill and the professionalism and the sheer presences of these stars I too miss the oldies but goodies dont think we will ever see the like again ...

[mjmredleaf]

Well I am only 40 so maybe my opinion doesn't really count but to be honest I was a little disappointed with the movie. It seemed like the story lines were a little weak except the train scene at the end. I thought even James Stewart, Karl Malden and even Gregory Peck ( although he was busy that year making To Kill A Mocking Bird and Cape Fear so I give him a pass on this one ) and of course NOT enough John Wayne hurt it too. I feel that people like it bcuz of the great cast but it falls short

[mjmredleaf]

of some of the great westerns of that time like The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, Rio Bravo and The Alamo. I don't know, it's just my opinion but I found the movie to be quite plain and the acting to be below what that cast is capable of doing and also the story line, although good yet weaker than other classics of the time. Oh by the way Richard Widmark was great as usual. Great movie theme also. Lee J. Cobb, Henry Fonda and Eli Wallach held their ground also. Anyways just my thoughts.

[Jellyform]

Just watched this on Blu-Ray. WOW!

[b42baritone]

GO TROOPERS, Good luck at Indianapolis.

[dan7435]

I don't think there is any other western movie theme music that depics the west like this one does in terms of sheer grandeur and beauty.

[617AV86892]

This is about my only favorite Western. One of the greatest movies of all time! The ending is spectacular , the panoramic view of the old west to the new west is sheer brilliance.

[alohakakahiaka]

The thing about this epic is that it was an ensemble of the GIANTS. BUT, no ONE actor or actress trumpted any other. They performed splendidly. And This MUSIC... It was incredible! You will NEVER forget once you hear it! Thank you for putting this up!

[617AV86892]

Amen Brother ! Todays stars are not real people ..to plastic.. to PC...to phoney! They are not like the ones from days gone by . This movie is one of the all time greats !

[arnauda1971]

I agree with you pal ! you had to be excellent .

[anr274]

This is my favorite movie theme to my favorite western. There are many good westerns but this is my all time favorite. Cast Includes: Walter Brennan, John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds,Eli Wallach, Gregory Peck, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Karl Malden, Spencer Tracy. Directed By John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall, Richard Thorpe. Thanks for the music, Anr274

[rhctam]

I miss all these stars.

[river2walk]

We all miss these great actors rhctam...real men with big shoulders and often big bellies..not like todays preening tailors dummies who are just like children in comparison!

[Laceykat66]

So true, so very true.

That is why the could not make this movie today. No men big enough to conquer the west.

Not in movies anyway.

(plenty in real life)

[rhctam]

agreed river2walk, they were real men and real women. like i said i really missed them from time to time; as i was brought up together with their movies. greetings.

[favoritner]

Eli Wallach and Karl Malden are still alive.

[river2walk]

Indeed they are my friend and both published their autobiographies in the last few years. Malden had his nolse broken twice playing basketball, hence the outstanding hooter.He took up acting to escape the steel mills of Gary Indiana. Wallack grew up in Broklyn and is still married to his wife of 58 years and still working at 92 years....Karl Malden is also over 90!...they don't make'em like they used to!!!!

[avatarnarutochuck]

Karl Malden has just passed away

[ntclinton]

actually the pause at 3:16 was put in by John to his believers and is really the second coming.

/s off

[DuronQelDroma]

Is this really the original score? At 3:16 there is a pause. So are there 2 Titles in this? And btw is this a recording by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra?

[river2walk]

You know it makes my old heart happy when I realise that there are people like yourself who really know their music!..Your right on every count, but as regards the City Of Prague ORCHASTRA,..they are much critizised but what they lack in nuance and some charactor they make up for in sheer power!...thanks for such a insightful commenty! lol

[DuronQelDroma]

Thank you for these kind words. Do you know what's the name of the second track after 3:16?

And yes, I also love the music from the City of Prague Orchestra, they played many of the great and beloved themes. Esspecially their Western Samplers are great!

[river2walk]

The second part after the pause is described as "The Second Theme" you'll find these in most westerns, good but quite as good as the "Main Theme" thanks for inquiry...lol

[1950Bob]

Actually it is not the "second theme." It is called "This is the West." It was the music played during Spencer Tracy's initial narration which then led to the scene that introduced James Stewart as the mountain man Rawlins. After that is "Erie Canal" which was played when showing the canal boats that Karl Malden eventually took his family on to begin their trek West. This is a marvelous arrangement of the Newman score. I only wish there had been more! THANK YOU!!

[river2walk]

Thanks for info 1950Bob lol

[ntclinton]

they play this music in the background at the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World in Orlando. It is a majestic tune for a majestic setting.

[river2walk]

You've been to Wilderness Logde in Orlando????? I t's not fair I can only fire my rifle in the mountains near my home! I pretend I'm Davy Crocket but I never get killed!.....well maybe a little bit!....but I akways recover in time to go home!

[ntclinton]

this music plays in the background at the Wilderness Lodge in Disney World. It is awesome to hear it within that setting.

[xXsenetteXx]

hahaha i know!! it also plays in the 'wild west' part of a theme park here in spain! Lols

[snowgirl1052]

Reminds me of a time in this country before it became a sueing nation, and a give me give me ,me first country. Loved this piece of music and this movie.

[totoro956]

So nice.

[Stationmaster]

Thank you, it is an inspiring score.

I'm not sure where I saw this movie the first time (I was 5 or 6 years old). Might have been the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood in 1964.

[bigbaggierat]

Stationmaster, if you went to see this movie as a school field trip, we may have been sittng in the same theater. It is still a great tribute to what we were....

[kidstl]

yeah and now look at us, a weak bloated and empty shell of a nation....abortion, homsexuality, bankrupt morals, love of the almighty dollar, broken families, idol worship, yep we are going the way that israel went in the OT...amazing god hasnt broke us yet, surly we have broken his heart...

[halberdred43]

our band is playing this as well for our halftime show and i get to play the French Horn solo at the beginning again

[river2walk]

This great theme was composed by Alfred Newman

[river2walk]

You sure are a real western fan favoritner!....the score of a western movie especially, is just so important to the whole production,or rather was when the great westerns were being made! lol

[favoritner]

What a great piece of music.

What an all-star cast.

A great, wonderful Western.

[river2walk]

Your more than welcome.....hombre!

[xDarkLightx]

Fan. Fucking. Tastic.

Thank you so much for uploading this.