Robin and Marian [Rejected Film Score] (1976)

Опубликовано: 15 Ноябрь 2024
на канале: Grieg

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Robin and Marian [Rejected Film Score] (1976)
Composed by Michel Legrand (1932-2019)

Tracklisting:

1. [00:00] Back from the Crusades
2. [02:47] Reunion
3. [06:27] The Attack
4. [09:26] The Ride
5. [13:13] Sweet Memories
6. [16:49] The Escape
7. [22:23] Sherwood
8. [25:46] The Chase Fugue
9. [28:17] An Unforgotten Love
10. [34:36] The Farewell (Finale)

Directed by Richard Lester from a story written by James Goldman (1927-1998), this British / American romantic-adventure period film features a fantastic cast that includes Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) and legendary Scottish actor Sean Connery (1930-2020) alongside actor and comedian Bill Maynard (1928-2018), film, stage, and television actor Denholm Elliott (1922-1992), Ian Holm (1931-2020), Kenneth Haigh (1931-2018), Nicol Williamson (1936-2011), Irish actor Richard Harris (1930-2002), actor and writer Robert Shaw (1927-1978), and the highly respected English comedian Ronnie Barker (1929-2005) in a rare film role as Friar Tuck. One of the most enduring love stories to take place is undoubtedly the one between Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Rooted in medieval folklore, the story has evolved over centuries, captivating audiences through various mediums such as literature and cinema. Robin and Marian are said to have met during an archery contest, where Robin's unmatched skills caught Marian's attention. Their love blossomed as Marian, captivated by Robin's sense of justice, joined his band of outlaws. While their marriage is not explicitly detailed in the earliest tales, later literary works and adaptations often depict them as a wedded couple, sharing a life of adventure and raising a family. While historical accuracy may be sacrificed for cinematic spectacle, these films continue to draw audiences into this timeless story.

Shot on location in Spain, and depicting the later years of the characters in the tale, the film stars Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn as the legendary lovers who reunite twenty years after their first encounter. Since then, Marian has become mother superior of a nunnery whilst Robin has spent his time outside of England, fighting as Richard the Lionheart's (Richard Harris) right-hand man in the lengthy Crusades and in France. His only connection to his past life is his faithful friend and constant companion, Little John (Nicol Williamson). However, Richard the Lionheart is now dead, and a war-weary, middle-aged Robin decides to return to England. His first priority: rekindle his relationship with Marian. However, if he figured on a peaceful life, he didn't bargain on the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw) and the mad King John (Ian Holm).

The original music score was composed by Michel Legrand, who had scored the director's previous film, 'The Three Musketeers (1973). Lester had asked Legrand to give him a particular style and Legrand delivered, in spades. Lester loved it, but the producer, Ray Stark (1915-2004), did not, so scraped it. Next on the list was Maurice Jarre (1924-2009), but he turned down the project due to his loyalty to Legrand. Next up was English composer John Barry (1933-2011) who said yes, only to discover he had less than three weeks to put the score together. Considering that Barry and Lester had worked well together before, this was a great idea, but Lester disliked Barry's score so producer Stark gave it the green light. The end result was that Lester disowned the film, and he and Barry never worked together again. However, Stark and the studio ended up bringing in yet another composer, American pop television specialist Richard Shores (1917-2001), to re-work some of Barry's score. Unsurprisingly, this led to an unhappy John Barry, who received primary credit for the score. Despite all of these problems, Barry's music is a decent effort considering the short time frame in which he had to work. As for Legrand's rejected music, the French composer (who had written over two-hundred film and television scores and collaborated onstage, onscreen, and in the studio with dozens of celebrated musicians of his era) delivered a fantastic score which worked wonderfully with the film. His approach was more of an epic feel with lush, string-oriented themes, the strongest being the love theme: undeniably romantic yet full of longing and regret. It perfectly captures the relationship between the ageing Robin and Marian. The cues that depict action are suitably tense but feel somewhat restrained, but as a whole, the score is so captivating that you can't help but be swept along by its effect. The death of Legrand robbed the world of one of its most prolific, versatile and enlightened musicians.

This video is for promotional use only. I do not own the rights to the music. All rights belong to the artist / band.