Film Score Friday: Back to the Future

Back to the Future
Starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson
Buy on Amazon

This week on Film Score Friday we listen to the score from Back to the Future. Alan Silvestri composed the score from this 1985 classic. Many people associate the music from this film with Huey Lewis and the News and their pop songs that were included. 

At the time the film was released, the 85 piece orchestra Silvestri used was unheard of. Some changes were made to the music written for the beginning of the movie. Silvestri's beginning material was scrapped for some pop songs that opened the film. The unintentional effect is you don't hear the score until about 18 minutes in the film. The moment is the first time you see the all important Delorean turned into a time machine. Although not necessarily planned by the composer, the effect is awesome. 

The driving theme for Silvestri uses matches the adventurous theme of the film exactly. When you hear the three pick up notes from the horns and their lead in, you'll be ready to jump into a time traveling Delorean. 

The big reveal

 

Silvestri on the score

Where does this rank for time traveling movie score? Let us know in the comments

Mentioned in this Post

Back to the Future on Amazon

Back to the Future on iTunes