O.K., here is another silly "list" thread. I admit it means nothing but nevertheless I like doing these. I was thinking about what are the greatest melodies ever composed for film.
Please write in your own, because I want to know what you guys think, and here are mine (at least at the current moment) :
1) All-time Greatest Melody ever written for a movie:
Somewhere in Time
by John Barry. He is a supreme melodist, and in this particular film score created a melody that Tchaikovsky would drool over!
2) Star Trek The Motion Picture
by Jerry Goldsmith
The most powerful heroic melody ever composed for a film. It somehow seems to encapsulate adventure, heroism and William Shatner all at once.
3) Star Wars Jedi March
by John Williams
The one heard in the original film at the end. A great march melody, with a stern, heroic quality.
4) Fahrenheit 451
by Bernard Herrmann
Though he was always called a "non-melody" composer, the melody heard at the end of this great film score is incredibly beautiful and something that Ravel would eat his heart out to do.
5) Walkabout
by John Barry (again)
Another rapturous melody for violins with second violin accompaniment.
6) Bride of Frankenstein
by Franz Waxman
Another great march during the "Parade of the Monster" scene. Though a brief element in the film the march melody is more memorable that most classical ones including Verdi and Wagner.
7) Robin Hood
By Erich Korngold
The tournament scene, which features a tremendous fanfare melodic accompaniment.
8) Sea Hawk
By Erich Korngold (again)
The Shores of Dover chorus. No explanation needed for anyone who has seen and heard the film.
9) The Tenant
by Phillip Sarde
A brilliant melody that captures the paranoia of the Polanski film.
10) Don't Look now
by Pino Donnagio
The morbid baroque melody of the "molto espressivo" composer that de Palma later used, in this great film is reminiscent of Albinoni and the other Italian baroque composers, in their more melancholy mood.
11) Double Life of Veronique
by Zbignieu Preisner
A film with a great minor-key melody in the concert scene.