The epic, Samuel Bronston production, which starred Alec Guinness and Christopher Plummer as Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus during the last days of the Roman empire, is notable for three unique traits: its standing among its contemporary sword-and-sandal epics for its intelligent tone and acting alongside its epic scale, its incredible financial failure and its score by Dimitri Tiomkin. The soundtrack, written for a grandiose orchestra with cathedral organ, is typically multifaceted and brash, and earned a Golden Globe (as well as an Oscar nomination) for Tiomkin's efforts.
La-La Land's limited edition, set to 2,500 units, is a bit unique in that it's not the full and complete score (the masters of which have been difficult, if not impossible, to locate). Instead, the label remasters the original Columbia Records soundtrack LP from the original stereo tapes, and includes an additional eight bonus cues in mono. It's yours to order after the jump. (And don't forget about LLL's next release on March 27...!)
Dimitri Tiomkin, The Fall of the Roman Empire: Limited Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1201, 2012 - original film released 1964)
- Fanfares and Flourishes
- Overture
- The Fall of Love
- Lucilla's Sorrow
- Ballomar's Barbarian Attack
- Morning
- Profundo
- Notturno
- Pax Romana (Bolero)
- The Prophecy
- Persian Battle
- Dawn of Love
- The Roman Forum
- By Jove ("Triumph and End of Part 1")
- Intermezzo: Livius and Lucilla ("The Fall of Love Intermission")
- Addio
- Tarantella
- Resurrection
- The Fall of Rome
- Dawn on the Northern Frontier ("Aurelius Awaits Dawn")
- Arrival of Livius
- Old Acquaintances "Lucilla and Livius"
- Decoy Patrol ("The Signal to March")
- Battle in the Forest/Reinforcements ("Barbarian Ambush 1 & 2")
- Conflict in the Caverns ("Ballomar's Barbarian Attack Part 2")
- Passing the Torch
- The Army Enters Rome/ The New God/The Challenge ("Commodus Deified")
Tracks 1-19 released as CBS Records LP 83119, 1964
Tracks 20-27 are previously unreleased mono cues
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