original music by Maurice Jarre

Music Co-Ordinator Sven Libaek

Music Mixer Gethin Creagh

'September' from 'Four Last Songs' by Richard Strauss performed by Kiri Te Kanawa and The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Davis courtesy of CBS Masterworks published by Boosey-Hawkes Inc.

Excerpts of 'L'Enfant' from 'Opera Sauvage' by arrangement with Spheric B. V./Warner Bros.

'White Cliffs of Dover' performed by Vera Lynn courtesy of EMI Records

'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On' performed by Jerry Lee Lewis courtesy of Sun International Corporation

'Long Tally Sally' performed by Little Richard courtesy of Vee-Jay International Records

'Beautiful Ohio Waltz' performed by Frank Bourke and the White Rose Orchestra courtesy of Frank Bourke Records

'Be-Bob-A-Lula' performed by Gene Vincent courtesy of Capitol Records

'Ain't That Lovin' You Baby' performed by Jimmy Reed courtesy of Vee-Jay International Records

'Tutti-Frutti' performed by Little Richard courtesy of Vee-Jay International Records

Gamelan Orchestra Dept. of Music, Sydney University

There is little point detailing composer Maurice Jarre at length in this listing, nor for that matter the astute, typical juxtapositions of Peter Weir of found music, ranging from Strauss's Four Last Songs through Vera Lynn and Frank Bourke to Little Richard and Gene Vincent. That's what - for an Australian-based film - a healthier than average American budget allows, even if minuscule by American standards.

Jarre isn't unknown to Australian cinema - he would go on to do the score of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome for George Miller in 1985, and he would work with Peter Weir again for Witness in 1985 and in 1986 on The Mosquito Coast and again in 1989 on the Dead Poets Society, but he is a French composer who walked the world stage and is well documented.

There is, for example an obituary for Jarre at The Independent, Maurice Jarre: Composer who won three Oscars for his work with David Lean, (may be slow to load), which makes a note on his work for this picture and with Weir:

….his work on Peter Weir's 1980s films tends to the generously melodic. The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) captures an Australian reporter in Sukarno's Indonesia with the ondes and evocations of the didgeridoo, while Dead Poet's Society (1989) includes a pipe band. But their finest collaboration is Witness (1985), in which Harrison Ford protects a child witness to murder in the Amish community. The barn-building scene, accompanied by a stately chaconne, was the film's highlight. Jarre denied that adding electronics to the orchestra for the score was expediency, saying that it would have been easier and cheaper to omit them. (for more on the ondes martenot, see its wiki here)

On the Varése Sarabande LP of Jarre's film music, Peter Weir appended a note, signed and dated Sydney July '83: I can still see Maurice in the studio surrounded by dozens of exotic Asian instruments - banging on gongs and cymbals, tinkling, tapping and strumming, his head tilted to one side, a study in concentration as he chases after some elusive combination of sounds. Local studio technicians enjoyed working with Maurice as much as I did. Of course, he was subjected to our own Aussie style of humour, reserved for visitors - a combination of mockery, sarcasm and insult. I called at the studio one morning not long after Maurice had started work. I asked a technician if he'd arrived yet - "he's in 'A' mate, and by the way we call him 'Morrie' around here." With little time and a very vague brief from his director, 'Morrie' set about creating the music for the film. The result delighted me and when I return to the music today, I'm reminded as much of scenes from the film as I am of Maurice in the studio at 3AM surrounded by a confusion of people and equipment, staring into space and beating out a haunting tatoo (sic) on the Gamelan.

Jarre has a wiki here.

It is worth noting that Sven Libaek, better known as an Australian composer, is credited as the music co-ordinator on the film (some of Libaek's early movies are listed on Ozmovies here).

(Below: Maurice Jarre)

Being Jarre, the underscore has been released in a variety of forms and in combination with Jarre's other music. Below are a few examples, though it's not a comprehensive list:

LP Thatʼs Entertainment (UK) TER 1065 1983 Music by Maurice Jarre, electronic conception by Spencer Lee / Maurice Jarre, music published by CBS Songs Album release co-ordination by David Stoner, executive Producer: John Yap

SIDE 1: Wayang Kulit Poverty And Misery The Death Of A Child Kwan

SIDE 2: Enchantment At Tugu Jakarta What Can We Do? Kwanʼs Sacrifice

LP Varese Sarabande (USA) STV 81182 1983 (CD VAR 47222) As above, but side 2, track 2 titled “Djakarta”. Record Producer: Maurice Jarre Album Producer for Varése Sarabande Records: Scot W. Holton Executive Producers: Tom Null & Chris Kuchler Mastering Engineer: Michele Stone Mastered/Pressed: KM Records, KM Matrix: Ric Hancock Production Supervisor: Karen Stone