Lawrence of Arabia - Music By

So...why only 4 stars? The transfer of this masterpiece to CD was done poorly. I had to turn up my stereo very loud just to hear it. With more volume, comes more background noise and air distortion. Not sure if it was just my copy, but that bugged me. I will probably exchange this CD for a new one and hopefully not have the same issue.

Anyone else had this same problem? Please drop me a line.


Maurice of Arabia   June 24, 2001
When I first saw this film I didn't really care for it. I just wanted to see it because Maurice had received and academy award for the music. Then I got this soundtrack from the library and read the booklet inside, and it said that there were scenes in the film that were taken out and that they had a director's cut that came out in 1992. After I got that one from the library also (they had both editions) I decided that I liked the film because the scenes that were taken out of the original edition made it boring to watch. Then I decided to tape the soundtrack and it is a beautiful digital recording of the piece. I kind of wish that our library had the recording that was conducted by Maurice Jarre, because I would have loved to hear how he would have conducted it since he never conducted the original music on the film. If you also want music that was not on the 1962 soundtrack then buy this one, because track 3 plays about nine minutes of music that was not on the 1962 soundtrack, but there are other tracks that also have some unreleased music.


If You Can't Get Enough of the Original, Get This   March 27, 2001
The realtionship between this CD and the original recording reminds me very much of James Horner's two "Star Trek" scores, "Wrath of Khan" and "Search For Spock," which utilized the same thematic material. While "Search For Spock" had better recording quality, instrumentation, and a bigger orchestra, it lacked the breathtaking energy and verve of 'Wrath of Khan." "Search for Spock," while still a respectable soundtrack in itself, is not worth buying if "Wrath of Khan" doesn't leave you rabid for more. It was a supplement.

Such is the case with the two "Lawrence" recordings in current mass release. The original is spectacular, with so much fire I can barely sit still when I hear it. It revels in its slightly fuzzy sound and harsh sound. It is also, unfortunately, only 30 minutes long. I needed more.

This recording is cleaner, clearer, and more complete. Its notes are far more instructive than those in the other release. But it is also far inferior to the other recording.

So here's my advice. Buy the other one, for you have to have it. Listen to it, listen to it, and listen to it some more. If you can't get it out of your system, if you find yourself (as I did) daydreaming about it in silence and when other music is playing, then by all means, buy this. The new material justifies the price.

But if you buy this without the other, you'll have made a terrible mistake.


Great music from the greatest movie ever made!!!   October 14, 2000
This has got to be the GREATEST sountrack, just like Lawrence of Arabia is the GREATEST movie ever made! The "Lawrence" theme, with it's Arabian and European melodies, is breathtaking! If you've seen the movie, this CD will bring up pleasant memories.


Not exciting, but good music   July 21, 1998
This is a very good CD. It helps though if you've seen the movie. Sometimes the music seems to repeat itself. If you just want the theme this CD plays it a lot.