Genre Movie Scores Dominate Annual Hall of Fame Poll

Posted on by
Christopher Lee as Saruman.

Christopher Lee as Saruman.

Thirty genre films made this year’s Classic fM Movie Music Hall of Fame, voted on by thousands of Britons.

The iconic music for Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings has topped the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame for the sixth year in a row – narrowly beating John Williams’ score for Schindler’s List and, in third place, Hans Zimmer’s music for Gladiator.

It’s a fun list, picked by people whose musical expertise clearly does not exceed my own. I deduced this from the appearance at #66 of the score for Where Eagles Dare (Ron Goodwin). That film literally has no score between the opening credits and the final 10 minutes, impressive as those parts may be. I admit that I know this fact because I once rented the movie to show to a professional musician as an example of a strong score and totally embarrassed myself…

Here are the sf/fantasy films in the top 100:

1. The Lord of The Rings, Howard Shore
5. Star Wars, John Williams
6. Harry Potter, John Williams
9. Jurassic Park, John Williams
10. Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, Klaus Badelt
17. Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End, Klaus Badelt
23. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, John Williams
25. Superman, John Williams
26. Raiders of the Lost Ark, John Williams
33. Inception, Hans Zimmer
35. The Hobbit, Howard Shore
37. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Alexandre Desplat
40. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, John Williams
41. Somewhere in Time, John Barry
43. Interstellar, Hans Zimmer
46. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, Patrick Doyle
50. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Hans Zimmer
51. Blade Runner, Vangelis
53. War of the Worlds, John Williams
59. How to Train Your Dragon, John Powell
65. Star Trek, Michael Giacchino
68. Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Jerry Goldsmith
71. Edward Scissorhands, Danny Elfman
73. The Lion King, Hans Zimmer
74. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Michael Kamen
79. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Nicholas Hooper
82. The Adventures of Robin Hood, Erich Wolfgang Korngold
83. Avatar, James Horner
84. Back to the Future, Alan Silvestri
85. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Harry Gregson-Williams
99. Stardust, Ian Eshkeri

[Via Ansible Links.]

Discover more from File 770

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.

124 thoughts on “Genre Movie Scores Dominate Annual Hall of Fame Poll”

  4. Wow! They actually went back and found a Korngold as a token old soundtrack? What happened to Jerry Goldsmith for The Omen if not for Alien? Where is the score for Pal’s Time Machine? Or Conan the Barbarian? Or City of Lost Children? This list is skewed terribly.

  5. Hilde and I tend to leave the tv tuned to a music channel for movie and show tunes when we’re not actively watching, so I hear a fair number of movie scores. I am amazed that Robocop isn’t on that list, because it’s one score that always gets my attention and my heart beating a little faster.

  8. You should imagine the following being read out in a warm, unctuous, baritone – suitable for, well, advertising a radio station on air.

    Classic FM. Where we won’t startle you by playing any music you haven’t heard three hundred times before.

    Classic FM. Because honestly, who has half an hour to spare to listen to the whole of Beethoven’s Fifth, anyway?

    Classic FM. We won’t bother you with any of the history or the background of the music we play.

    Classic FM. Because let’s face it, listener, we think you’re a moron.

    You may gather that I’m not a fan. Honestly, every time I hear the theme from Schindler’s List or Jurassic Park start up, I wonder to myself, “Is it actually a radio station? Or is it, instead, a long-running physics experiment? Are they trying to find out how many plays it takes to wear out a CD?”

  9. FANTASY MOVIE BRACKET

    Nomination rules

    1. Movies nominated are for an alternative reality with supernatural elements.

    2. Movies where the supernatural elements are purely religious, according to existing religions, are excluded.

    3. Movies where the supernatural elements are based purely on horror elements (werewolves, vampires, ghosts, demons) are excluded.

    4. Superhero movies are excluded.

    5. Movies based on legends, myths, fairy tales and sagas are accepted.

    6. Animated movies are accepted.

    7. TV-movies are accepted.

    8. Minimum length of a movie to be accepted is one hour.

    9. Movies should have first been shown to a wider audience at least 2014.

    10. Do not let the fact that a list has already been created hinder you from naming a movie that is already on it.

    11. You are not restricted in the number of movies you may nominate.

    12. If you think there is a special reason a movie should be included, apart from being good, please name it.

    Nominations will go on for 48 hours, then I will create a new consolidated list consisting of a mix of your recommendations and mine. You will then have an additional 48 hours to argue and bicker on how you are shocked, SHOCKED, that I missed an obvious candidate that serveral of you named. Then I will finalize the list and 1-2 days after that voting will begin.

    BONUS BRACKET

    What fantasy book or comic has not been filmed, but should have been? A person may nominate two works and both of them will be part of the bracket. It will run in paralell with the one above.

  10. LIST OF FANTASY MOVIES

    That a movie is on this list does not mean that it is sure that it will be on the final ballot. If there is a movie that you really think should be part of the brackets, be sure to name it in your comments. And of course any movie not on this list can be nominated.

    If enough calls are made for several movies in a series, they will be put on this list for the series as a whole.

    A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
    Being John Malkovich (1999)
    Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
    Black Orpheus (1959)
    Brotherhood of the wolf (2001)
    Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
    Conan The Barbarian (1982)
    Coraline (2009)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
    The Dark Crystal (1982)
    Doctor Dolittle (1967)
    Edward Scissorhands (1990)
    Erik the Viking (1989)
    Excalibur (1981)
    Fisher King (1991)
    Groundhog Day (1993)
    Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
    Hellboy (2004)
    Highlander (1986)
    Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
    Jumanji (1995)
    King Kong (1933)
    Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
    Labyrinth (1986)
    Ladyhawke (1985)
    Legend (1985)
    Les Visiteurs (1993)
    Lord of The Rings (2001)
    Mary Poppins (1964)
    Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
    My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
    Neverending Story (1984)
    Night Watch (2004)
    Pans Labyrinth (2006)
    Peter Pan (2003)
    Pirates of the Carribean (2003)
    Pleasantville (1998)
    Princess Mononoke (1997)
    Shrek (2001)
    Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
    Spiderwick (2008)
    Spirited Away (2001)
    Stardust (2007)
    The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
    The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
    The Extraordinary Adventures of Adéle Blanc-Sec (2010)
    The Mask (1994)
    The Lord of the Rings (1978)
    The Princess Bride (1987)
    The Sword In The Stone (1963)
    The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Cast a deadly spell (1991)
    Troll Hunter (2010)
    Vidocq (2001)
    Willow (1988)
    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
    Wizard of Oz (1939)
    Yellow Submarine (1968)
    Uproar in Heaven (The Monkey King) (1965)

    And please, nominate your favourites. Do not nominate anything only because you can’t see anyone else having named it.

  11. Let’s see … A couple from Hong Kong first:

    Storm Riders http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165499/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_39
    Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086308/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
    Bride with White Hair: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106342/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
    As far as Harryhausen, if I had to pick just one it’d probably be Golden Voyage of Sinbad.
    Excalibur.
    Spirited Away.
    Krull.

    There may be others.

    For example: City of Lost Children. And Time Bandits, of course.

    And would Flash Gordon count?

  14. How about miniseries? If so, I’d mention the BBC production of Gormenghast, and also Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire.

    As for things that haven’t been filmed but should be:
    1. The Shattered World by Michael Reaves
    2. The Man of Gold by M.A.R. Barker

  15. Hampus Eckerman on November 10, 2015 at 9:59 am said:

    I am in awe of that list.

    Additional Gilliam:
    The Brother’s Grimm (2005)

    I guess Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky (1986) fall closer to SF/steampunk than fantasy as does Otomo’s Steamboy (2004).

    Aide from that mind is a blank after seeing that list. I’ll start kicking myself when other suggestions come in.

  16. Seconded:

    The Dark Crystal
    Spirited Away
    Pan’s Labyrinth
    Labyrinth
    Yellow Submarine

    Also:

    Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
    Beauty and the Beast (1991)
    The Neverending Story

  17. Hasn’t been filmed but needs to be: All of the chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox.

  19. Oh, Dragonslayer! And I’ll also add/second Thief of Bagdad (1940) and add Sinbad the Sailor (1946?).

  20. OK, so, first I guess

    1) Films I would nominate (films not on Hampus’s original list are marked with a *):

    Being John Malkovitch
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
    Edward Scissorhands *
    Enchanted *
    Fantasia *
    Groundhog Day
    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban *
    Kiki’s Delivery Service *
    Labyrinth
    Ladyhawke
    Monsters, Inc. *
    Monty Python and the Holy Grail
    The Nightmare Before Christmas *
    Night Watch
    Pleasantville
    The Princess Bride
    The Purple Rose of Cairo *
    Spirited Away
    Stranger than Fiction *
    The Tale of the Princess Kaguya *
    The Thief of Baghdad (the 1924, though, not the 1940) *
    Time Bandits
    Toy Story 3 *
    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
    The Wizard of Oz
    Yellow Submarine

    2) Films I would nominate, but I believe they require a judgement call on the part of Hampus as to whether they are acceptable or, for one reason or another, do not fit the rules (obviously, none of these are on the original list):

    All of Me
    The Babadook
    Bubba Ho-Tep
    City of Lost Children
    It’s a Wonderful Life
    A Matter of Life and Death / Stairway to Heaven
    Miracle on 34th Street
    Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
    Raiders of the Lost Ark
    The Seventh Seal
    The Shining
    Wings of Desire

    3) Films I would nominate, but I am pretty sure they do not fit the rules as stated (once again, obviously, none are on Hampus’ original list):

    Corpse Bride
    Ghostbusters

  21. BONUS BRACKET — What fantasy book or comic has not been filmed, but should have been?

    Well, obviously:

    God Stalk, by P. C. Hodgell

    And for the second one, hm …

    Tooth and Claw, by Jo Walton

  22. I started to say that The Princess Bride wasn’t really a fantasy, despite having fantasy tropes (kidnapped princess, pirates).. and then I remembered Miracle Max. Never mind…
    So, yes, that. And Labyrinth.
    And Star Wars. (It’s a fantasy; damn it! Physics doesn’t work like that, and the Force is magic!)
    And… does Indiana Jones count? The magic there is really a Jewish religious miracle….
    Um. Howl’s Moving Castle.
    Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, obviously. But not Jackson’s The Hobbit. The Hobbit was four hours of my life I’ll never get back. (I never bothered with the last movie.)
    Wizards.

  23. Fantasy Movie List:

    The Thief of Bagdad (1924) (“silent” version)
    The Wizard of Oz (1939)
    Dark Crystal (1982)
    Labyrinth (1986)
    The Little Mermaid (1989)
    A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1993)
    Slayers — The Motion Picture (1995) aka Slayers Perfect

    Fantasy Fantasy Movies:

    War for the Oaks (Emma Bull)
    Jack of Shadows (Roger Zelazny)

  26. For those who have seen Kikis Delivery Service: The town she lives in is Stockholm, where several streets can be instantly recognized. One difference though. Around the city is the wall of Visby, a small town on the island of Gotland.

    Myazaki was in Sweden to research the possibility of making a movie about Pippi Longstocking and the photos he took were the basis of the landscape in Kiki.

  27. The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)
    Bambi (1942)
    Fantasia (1940)
    Harry Potter an the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
    Hogfather (2007)
    Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
    Into the Woods (2014)
    Ladyhawke (1985)
    Lord of the Rings (2001)
    Maleficent (2014)
    The Princess Bride (1987)
    Raiders of the Lost Ark (Appears to be ineligible as the Ark of the Covenant is purely religious and Judaism is an existing religion.)
    Stardust (2007)
    Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
    Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
    Willow (1988)
    Wizards (1977)

    Fantasy books that ought to be filmed:
    More Diana Wynne Jones
    The Hobbit (You can’t fool me, this book has never had a proper movie)
    The Glamourist History books by Mary Robinette Kowal
    The Harpist in the Wind books by McKillip

  28. Kyra: I already knew your heart’s in the right place, but putting Miracle on 34th Street on a list of movies with supernatural elements seals the deal!

  32. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is based on Finnish folklore, not religious dogma of any kind (AFAIK). But it might be disallowed under the “horror elements” rule. (If it isn’t, then seconded here.)

  33. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
    Labyrinth (1986)
    Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
    My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
    Shrek (2001)
    Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
    Spirited Away (2001) [ eight times. or nine. whatever it takes]
    The Princess Bride (1987)
    The Sword In The Stone (1963)
    The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Willow (1988)
    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
    Wizard of Oz (1939)
    Yellow Submarine (1968)
    Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

  34. This is going to be more painful than the tv bracket, I can tell already. There’s a great set of nominations already; I’d like to add:

    Mirrormask (2005)

    I would like to contest the notion that animated features should be eligible. Not because I don’t like them, but because just the fantasy ones could probably handle an entire bracket by themselves! (I started out making a list, but when it reached over 30 I deleted it and wrote this instead.)

  35. I want to Me Too:

    Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
    Chitty Chitty bang Bang (1968)
    Conan The Barbarian (1982)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
    Edward Scissorhands (1990)
    Excalibur (1981)
    Hellboy (2004)
    Jumanji (1995)
    Ladyhawke (1985)
    Mary Poppins (1964)
    Pirates of the Carribean (2003)
    Spirited Away (2001)
    Stardust (2007)
    Wizard of Oz (1939)

    Also, Kiki’s Delivery Service (maybe x3, because it also remains a favorite movie for two of our children), Miracle on 34th Street, and pretty much anything by Ray Harryhausen (because I can’t pick just one).

    For the bonus round, I’d love movies of The Hero and the Crown and The Hobbit (an actual movie instead of whatever Peter Jackson filmed).

  36. Now that others have been so kind as to jog my memory, I’d like to add:

    Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

    to my nominations list as well.

  37. Already mentioned:

    Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
    The Dark Crystal (1982)
    Excalibur (1981)
    Groundhog Day (1993)
    Highlander (1986)
    Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
    Legend (1985)
    Lord of The Rings (2001)
    Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
    Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
    The Princess Bride (1987)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Hogfather (2007)
    Wizard of Oz (1939)

    Things I’d like to add, but may be bending the rules:

    Donnie Darko (2001)
    The Crow (1994)
    Jacobs Ladder (1990)
    Jabberwocky (1977)

    Things I’d like to see filmed:

    The Books of Magic (Neil Gaiman)
    Death, The High Cost of Living (Neil Gaiman)

  39. I would like to second (or fifth):

    Being John Malkovich
    Black Orpheus
    Groundhog Day
    Monty Python and the Holy Grail
    Pleasantville
    The Princess Bride
    The Purple Rose of Cairo
    Stardust
    Time Bandits

    And I would love to include All of Me (adore that movie), Wings of Desire and The Seventh Seal from Kyra’s list and Midsummer Night’s Dream — the Kevin Kline/Michelle Pfeiffer one — and Orson
    Welles’ Macbeth if they qualify.

    For my film-it bonus, I want Good Omens.

  42. The Hourglass Sanatorium (1973)
    Schizopolis (1996)
    Celine and Julie Go Boating (1974)
    The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
    Synecdoche, New York (2008)
    Paprika (2006)
    Angel’s Egg (1985)
    Orphée (1950)

  44. Are we counting The Lord of the Rings as one really looooong film or splitting it up? Because my favorite of the three is actually The Fellowship of the Ring.

    Okay, here goes.

    The Last Unicorn
    Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
    Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton’s version, with Johnny Depp)
    Sleepy Hollow (1999, again with Johnny Depp)(sorry, I think he’s cute)
    Van Helsing (yeah, I know it’s campy and overblown, but….Hugh Jackman)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
    Edward Scissorhands
    The Dark Crystal
    Labyrinth (David Bowie and his wig!)
    Toy Story
    Reign of Fire (although it has more of a science-fiction feel to me, so if it isn’t eligible, I’ll save it for the SF brackets)

    Film-It Bonus:

    Robin McKinley’s Pegasus
    Gael Baudino’s Gossamer Axe (yeah, it’s dated, but…heavy metal and Faerie!)

  45. Forgot to nominate:
    The Holy Mountain (1973)
    Little Otik (2000)
    Eraserhead (1977)
    Last Year at Marienbad (1961)

    To second:
    The Princess Bride (1987)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
    Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974)
    The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
    Hogfather (2007)

    Bonus Bracket:
    Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
    The Myth Books by Robert Asprin

  46. 2 favorites I haven’t seen anyone list yet:

    The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) and
    The Court Jester (1956).

  47. Most of my choices have been mentioned and don’t need another nod, One more:
    Peter Pan (1924 silent)

  48. Fantasy Movie Bracket

    Signal Boosting:

    Big Trouble in Litte China (1986)
    Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
    Conan The Barbarian (1982)
    Coraline (2009)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
    The Dark Crystal (1982)
    Excalibur (1981)
    Fisher King (1991)
    Groundhog Day (1993)
    Hellboy (2004)
    Highlander (1986)
    Jason and The Argonauts (1963)
    King Kong (1933)
    Labyrinth (1986)
    Ladyhawke (1985)
    Lord of The Rings (2001)
    My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
    Neverending Story (1984)
    Pirates of the Carribean (2003)
    Princess Mononoke (1997)
    Spirited Away (2001)
    The Adventures of Baron Münchausen (1988)
    The Lord of the Rings (1978)
    The Princess Bride (1987)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Cast a deadly spell (1991)
    Troll Hunter (2010)
    Willow (1988)
    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
    Wizard of Oz (1939)
    Yellow Submarine (1968)

    Additions (may be duplicates):

    Manos: The Hands of Fate (MST3K version)
    Calamari Wrestler
    House of Flying Daggers
    Five Deadly Venoms
    The Heroic Trio
    Phantom of the Paradise
    Pufnstuf (the Movie)
    Army of Darkness
    The Crow
    Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires
    Beastmaster
    Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
    Mulholland Drive
    Amelie
    Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
    The Mist
    The Sword and the Sorcerer (Lee Horsely!)
    Ponyo

    Missing Movie Bracket:
    Lord of Light
    And how is there no Elric of Melniboné movie??

  49. Before I read everyone else’s ideas, here are some of mine:

    Fantasia – THE classic Disney fantasy.
    Harvey – wonderful black & white comedy with Jimmy Stewart and his pookie.
    Life of Brian – unless this is considered a religious fantasy?
    Monty Python & the Holy Grail – follows naturally from above.
    Big – Tom Hanks was great.
    Ghostbusters – “I ain’t afraid of no ghost!”
    The Princess Bride – “I don’t think that word means…”
    Toy Story & Toy Story2 – Pixar at its best.
    The Wizard of Oz – I grew up watching this every year!
    Ladyhawke – an incredibly young Matthew Broderick, great story.
    Pan’s Labrynth (sp?) – gah, almost forgot one of the best.

    Now I go look at everyone else’s lists and add my kudos to other suggestions.

  50. Upvoting/voting for these; */bold means I think it’s newly mentioned.

    All of Me – if this is allowed (and thanks to @Kyra – I didn’t think of this under fantasy, but IMHO it is)
    * Beetlejuice– shake, senora
    Big – thanks to @junego for mentioning it within my edit window!
    The Chronicles of Narnia movies – okay they weren’t great, but I loved the books, so I’m nominating them anyway
    * Clash of the Titans – dated, yes, but a classic, and we must have a Ray Harryhausen
    The first Day Watch movie – I never saw the sequels; I don’t remember which is the first (Night or Day? it was backwards from the books, that’s all I know)
    The Harry Potter movies
    How to Train Your Dragon
    The Indiana Jones movies – these are fantasy!
    Jumanji
    The Lord of the Rings movies
    Monsters, Inc.
    * The Mummy – the Brendan Fraser version; only the first (the second was not as good, and I haven’t seen the third)
    The Nightmare Before Christmas
    Peter Pan – the Robin Williams one
    Pleasantville
    * Practical Magic – put the lime in the coconut
    The Princess Bride
    Shrek
    * Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger – oh okay, another Ray Harryhausen 😀
    The Toy Story series – okay, at least #1
    Time Bandits
    * Were the World Mine – be as thou wast wont to be, see as thou wast wont to see
    The Wizard of Oz

    Bonus Bracket: So many! Okay, only ‘cuz they’re on my mind anyway and it occurs to me they’d make cool movies, Lynn Flewelling’s “Nightrunner” series (specifically the first two books, which have one overarching story), and Sarah Monette’s “Doctrine of the Labyrinth” series (the first two would be fine; heck, even the first one).

    @Kyra: It’s been a while since I read & saw it, so it may be I’m confused when I think of Nausicaä as science fiction. Maybe I should for it just in case. . . .

    @ULTRAGOTHA & @bloodstone75: I don’t recall Amélie being fantastical . . . ?! I need to re-watch that gem, I guess. I remember it was magical, but not fantastical. 😉

    ETA: Added Big above – thanks, @junego!

Comments are closed.