MovieChat Forums > Body Heat (1981) Discussion > John Barry's music

John Barry's music

posted 19 years ago by james_x999
32 replies | jump to latest

All movie buffs know that one of the things thst made "The Third Man" so memorable was the dazzling zither music of Anton Karras. I would argue that one of the things that elevates "Body Heat" into greatness is John Barry's wonderfully seductive, sultry, and tension coiled score.

The first time I saw this movie the jazzy haunting theme played on saxophone at the opening and end of this movie reverberated with me long after the movie was over. The unspoken scene in which Ned Racine breaks through the glass door to Matty Walker's home depends crucially on the hushed menacing tones of Barry's score which suddenly erupts into a renewed version of the main theme. The music brilliantly reinforces the drama of the scene.

Barry's score, much overlooked in my view, is well worth buying on CD in its own right and deserves a lot of credit for making this movie into something truly special. "Basic Instinct" doesn't even come close dramatically or musically.

[–] oonagimaki 19 years ago

I'm a huge fan of John Barry's music. He truly contributes so much more than most musicians to a film. Imagine Dances with Wolves without his score, or most of the better bond films. His work for Body Heat was an outstanding throwback to the golden age of noir AND it was original enough to merit praise as a standalone composition.

That being said, I also believe that Jerry Goldsmith's work for Basic Instinct is one of the greatest noir scores of all time; so I have to disagree with your last statement.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sarchiorama 17 years ago

enchanting number

[–] snidgeskin 17 years ago

I agree, Barry's score is superb (I'm a big fan of his work and this, in my opinion, is one of his very best pieces). His music enhances the drama and sensuality of the film. The glass door scene is wonderful as is the menace and suspense he creates for the drive in the fog.

[–] cmichaud 17 years ago

The thing is I don't think the score was ever pressed, or released. You can get 'movie music,' "jazz in the movies,' 'great movie music' and 'john barry movie music' type compliation CDs or albums, but I looked for a Body Heat soundtrack almost from the day it was released and never found one. Amazing that it was never done.

[–] CWessonSpeaks 17 years ago

Yes it was released briefly by southern cross records but because of music rights to John Williams Ladd Co. logo and some mixing problems it was pulled before it hit stores.

[–] cmichaud 17 years ago

Wow first time i've heard that, thanks -- I wonder if any still exist in some warehouse out there? Well, there's always the movie itself at least..

[–] CWessonSpeaks 17 years ago

Yeah.. it's a long crazy story. I'll try to email you and explain it entirely and then try to hook you up with a copy.

[–] snidgeskin 16 years ago

I have the CD, released in the UK by Varese Sarabande Film Classics (VSD-5951). It's performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joel McNeeley; nothing short of beautiful.

Just a shame they didn't do Frances too!

[–] Barbara2001 16 years ago

http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack/bodyheat

“It’s such a pleasure to be back here out of the darkness.”
Mickey Rourke

[–] atombee 14 years ago

I also think that Jerry Goldsmiths score to Chinatown makes that film better. Truly evocotive. Body Heat would make a great double bill with The Last Seduction. The two female leads are both relentless in their pursuit.

[–] MadelynMoreau 16 years ago

By far the best!
----------------
I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.

The first mistake of art is to assume that it's serious.

[–] faville-1 16 years ago

I think Barry's score for Body Heat belongs with the best post-Noir classics, such as Chinatown (music by Jerry Goldsmith).

The mood of blues/tragedy is strong throughout both films. The theme of "fatal" love and the seduction of evil is unmistakable in both.

In each film, the central character falls for the woman, but the romance is doomed.

[–] EireU2 16 years ago

The music in Body Heat was unbelievably intrinsic to the film.
I cannot imagine this movie without John Barry's perfect score.

I first noticed his scoring in the wonderful TV mini-series Eleanor and Franklin.
He went on to do the music for Somewhere In Time and my all-time favorite film that has a Barry score: Out of Africa.
The music that underscores the airplane scene of Redford and Streep flying over Kenya is nothing short of brilliant and beautiful.

"The only baggage you can bring is all that you can't leave behind."

U2

[–] bcibiblack 16 years ago

John Barry could even make opening an envelope sound sexy, or dangerous. He's one of the last great traditional composers left in film; you know it's a Barry score from the first few bars. Some have tried to imitate him (I'm looking at you, David Arnold), but he's an original of the species.
Even though he has scored some pretty awful movies-the '76 remake of King Kong, Raise the Titanic, Indecent Proposal- it's always his music that manages to rise above it all.
Just watched Nic Roeg's gorgeous film Walkabout, and it's one of Barry's best efforts. I can't seem to find it anywhere, which is a shame. It's an unsung gem, but truly memorable.

[–] Leave_it_to_Weaver 14 years ago

Thanks for pointing out his score of '76 King Kong. There was one scene where the music was playing and i immediately thought "this sounds eerily like something from King Kong."

The Body heat soundtrack is still playing in my head and i love it.

[–] psdhart 13 years ago

I think Barry's score for Body Heat belongs with the best post-Noir classics

I thought the same

[–] LCShackley 16 years ago

There are some wonderful moments in the Barry score, but I have to say that the repeated three-note sax motif in the early scenes almost drove me insane. I was begging for them to PLEASE let the melody move along!!

[–] Barbara2001 16 years ago

I play BH about once ever 6 months but I play Mickey's scene very often.
He owns that scene.
Does anyone know the song he is lip synching to?

“It’s such a pleasure to be back here out of the darkness.”
Mickey Rourke

[–] slicksterzz 15 years ago

Bob Seger, "Feel Like A Number".

[–] Barbara2001 15 years ago

Thanks.