Movie Soundtracks: Instrumental Greek Music and Greek Songs in Hollywood Movies

© 2012 by Theocharis Vagelis

I love music. I am addicted to music. I have a collection of over 1.200 records of all genres. I just love the smell of the record covers. I enjoy examining their artwork. I like spending hours and hours sorting them into genres, composers, bands, artists and release dates. I have also realized that numerous Greek composers were catapulted into fame, composing music for Hollywood movies, creating some of the best soundtracks ever. In this hub I present some of the most famous instrumental music, created by Greek composers.

Chariots of Fire (1981)
The film is based upon the real story of 2 athletes in the 1924 Olympics. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture and Original Music Score (by Vangelis).

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner is a sci-fi film directed by Ridley Scott, featuring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauger. Vangelis’ music was nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award.

Missing (1982)

American film directed by Costa Gavras (another Greek), starring Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek. The film was based on the true story of Charles Horman, an American journalist, who disappeared during the Chilean coup d’etat of 1973.

1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
Film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Gérard Depardieu, Sigourney Weaver, Armand Assante and Fernando Rey. The film talks about the story of Christopher Columbus.

Zorba the Greek (1964)
The film is based on Kazantzakis’ novel “Zorba the Greek”, starring Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates and Irene Pappas, directed by Michael Cacoyannis. This particular soundtrack is extremely well known all over the world. The main song was used for years at the Yankee Stadium.

“Z” (1969)
French political thriller directed by Costa Gavras, starring Jean Louis Trintignant, Yves Montand and Irene Pappas. It is the true story of the assassination of Greek politician and Democratic icon Grigoris Lambrakis in 1963. The film has won major awards including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. The soundtrack became a major hit.

Serpico (1973)
American crime film, directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino. The film is based upon the true story of NYPD undercover officer Frank Serpico. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Pacino). Theodorakis’ music was nominated for a Grammy and a BAFTA.

Other Film Scores by Theodorakis

• Honeymoon (Luna de miel), 1960
• Faces in the Dark, 1960
• Shadow of the Cat, 1961
• Phaedra, 1961
• Les Amants de Teruel, 1961
• Five Miles to Midnight, 1961
• Electra, 1962
• The Day the Fish Came Out, 1967
• Biribi, 1971
• State of Siege, 1972
• The Rehearsal, 1974
• Actas de Marousia, 1976
• Iphigenia, 1978
• The Man with the Carnation, 1980

Never on Sunday (1960)
A Greek film, directed by Jules Dassin, starring Melina Mercouri and Giorgos Fountas. The film tells the story of a prostitute and Homer a naive American tourist who has fallen in love with her. The film was nominated four Academy Awards and won one for Best Song (Never on Sunday). Mercouri also won the Cannes Film festival Award for Best actress.

America America (1963)
American film directed by Elia Kazan, starring Stathis Giallelis and Frank Wolf. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards and won one for Best Art Direction.

Other Film Scores by Hadjidakis

• Unsubdued Slaves (1946)
• The Two Worlds (1949)
• Dead City (1951)
• The Grouch (1952)
• Lily of the Harbour (1952)
• The Counterfeit Coin (1955)
• Topkapi (1964)
• Gioconda's Smile (1965)
• Illya Darling (1967), Broadway Musical
• Sweet Movie (1974)
• Memed my Hawk (1984)

Check also:

• Misirlou in Pulp Fiction
• Horos tou Sakena in Mighty Aphrodite
• Nyfes in Nyfes (Brides)