I caught the opening credits of this 1985 film on TV yesterday. I didn't have the chance to see the whole film, but the music in the opening was clearly the work of Zimmer, although Myers got a sole composer credit. Zimmer is credited with "electronic music producer" on imdb.
The music was really nice, with elements of what was about to come from Zimmer some years later, i.e. Rain Man, Bird On A Wire, Black Rain, Days Of Thunder and so on. Some good guitar work was also featured.
I really hope I get the chance to see the whole film.
Anyone here who has seen this film, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, and starring Robert Duvall, Klaus Maria Brandauer, William Forsythe and Arliss Howard?
seen it on dvd couple years ago, and made a soundtrack cdr from the 5.1 dvd audio. Has both orchestral and electronic cues. I dont know Zimmer's work, but I saw the film credit on imdb under Music Department. I see they've been collaborating for many years. "Dreamchild" has some electronic instrumentation but only Myers is credited for the score. Assuming he does electronic music too, it's hard to know who did what in "Lightship" (unless you know both composers' work).
The movie itself is pretty odd, narrated by the kid as an adult, starting out like "All Fall Down"(1962) and suggesting a complicated family, coming-of-age film, but doesnt really go there. Doesnt really do much of anything, or at least didnt float my boat.
The movie's combination of synth rock music and Duvall's southern, long-winded gay character reminded me of "The Walker"(2007) with it's Bryan Ferry music and Woody Harrelson gay character.
it's music and effects. Here's the last cue - orchestral [final scene] changes at 1:40 to synth rock [end credits]. Do I hear Myers' "Martian Chronicles" in the orchestral? The rock cue is essentially the same as the movie's opening cue. While it sounds trite and low budget, it does have a haunting, melancholy, sexy quality. And Bryan Ferry-ish.
I saw the movie during its brief run at the Beverly Center Cineplex about a quarter century ago. Don't remember much about the film except for Robert Duvall's eccentric performance -- he sounded a bit like a cross between a gay southerner and William F. Buckley. I had forgotten about the bad narration, and don't remember the score being especially memorable. I do remember that the young, male model/Teen Beat looking actor whose character narrated the film turned out to be the director's son (he also sounded like he might be dubbed).
It's amusing (in a sad way) that in one day (especially one day this month) more people will see Lightship director Skolimowski in his cameo as a Russian interrogating Scarlett Johansson in The Avengers then will ever see any of the films he directed.
watching it on home video 20 years later gives one a different appreciation of both the movie and score. I probably would have walked out of it then, whereas today I can just fastforward thru it. Sometimes you need alot of distance to appreciate something which seemed too trendy when it debuted (I'm referring to the score in this case).
it's music and effects. Here's the last cue - orchestral [final scene] changes at 1:40 to synth rock [end credits]. Do I hear Myers' "Martian Chronicles" in the orchestral? The rock cue is essentially the same as the movie's opening cue. While it sounds trite and low budget, it does have a haunting, melancholy, sexy quality. And Bryan Ferry-ish.