The Rocketeer: "The Flying Circus” by James Horner (Score Reduction and Analysis)

A full score reduction of the air rescue scene from The Rocketeer.
Patreon: / davidmccaulley
I own nothing.
Enjoy!

[@Mr_Kenneth]

Everything about this track is perfect. The score is brilliantly aligned t the visual cues and elevated pitched in the right places. This is a fantastic example of Director Joe Johnston and James Horner partnership in post production/ editing/ final mix. NOTE: Joe knocks it out of the park again with Alan Silvestri in Captain America: First Avenger. Great video Essay and highlights how bloody brilliant this soudtrack is by the late great James Horner.

[@bakedpotato1138]

I recently rediscovered this movie after 25 years. I've got to say, it's a tragedy that more movies like this aren't made more often! This movie and soundtrack is one beautiful little gem!

[@whaletune]

I saw it at its first showing at the theater... ;)

[@ComposerConductor]

David, what an incredible job you did. I appreciate not only the analysis of the notes, and themes, but also your great insight into the anticipation moments that Mr. Horner built to transition seamlessly from one calm moment to a chaotic, high paced moment. These transitions is important to score in, and can make or break a film's dramatic moment(s).

[@aj.s...]

For anyone who doesn't know and is interested, Chris Siddall Music is going to be publishing Horner's "The Rocketeer" in full score later this year! So keep your eyes out for that.

[@melissawickersham9912]

Who did Chris Siddall Music get the music rights to do that from? Disney or James Horner’s estate?

[@aj.s...]

@@melissawickersham9912 He needed permission from Disney, and I'm sure it was an expensive license, lol. But I know that Chris is good friends with Sara Horner (James' wife). I'd bet she'd had some influence.

[@BimbelyGimbly]

This video actually got me to check out The Rocketeer, and I gotta say, the movie did not disappoint me! And well, its score was phenomenal, and I've added it to the huge list of "movie scores I've listened to while drawing!" Thank you so much for posting this!

[@JeremyRobson]

The motivic interplay, the orchestration, the performance, everything about this cue is perfect. My favourite part has to be m. 104, like the music itself is "recovering" by using a simple V-I cadence. Thank you for your analysis.

[@johndressler587]

Superb job, David! You've captured the 'whole being' of this cue with the score/film alignment. Thank you for bringing this to us!

[@lukaskendall]

One of my all-time favorite cues! Remember seeing it in the theater, thanks!

[@B9M3]

Parts of it are very similar to the score for "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan," another James Horner score.

[@cosmodrome9478]

James Horner was a great composer but often rather repetitive and prone to auto-plagiarism.

[@consonaadversapars]

Go listen to Battle Beyond the Stars or Krull. :)

[@enricoo.dastous6096]

One of my all time Horner's favorite cues! Thanks David!

[@SamSergeant]

Educational and inspiring as always mate :)

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Luv the movie and adore the score so this is a joy!

[@dreamlandnightmare]

Extremely underrated movie and extremely underrated score. Maybe my favorite Horner score.

[@DomenicoD]

Thanks for this masterpiece!!! I'm Italian and I've always liked soundtracks, when I could I went to see concerts by Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer, Brian Tyler, the film Matrix orchestrated by Don Davis...I really appreciate these videos, even if I don't know music ...and I wanted to ask if it was possible to add the line that follows the music or the bar...however congratulations, superb work!! 🤩

[@SAPOINSATTE]

Interesting scenes considering what happen to Horner in the end. Incredible score, Incredible talent . A real composer hand writing for orchestra at a piano. RIP.

[@dreamlandnightmare]

Horner loved flying, which obviously informed the loftiness of the score. He died doing one of the two things he loved most.

[@aj.s...]

@@dreamlandnightmare I'd like to think he hummed his Rocketeer theme when he went flying, lmao. I know it was a deeply personal score for him.

[@melissawickersham9912]

@@dreamlandnightmare Yes. This is sadly ironic.

[@kennethbairdmusic6136]

Love this! So fun when Mr. Horner vriefly switches to the country hoedown music.

[@handznet]

Thank you!!!

[@jeradpaulson771]

Time to jet off to adventure! 1:16

[@robrophside3691]

The Rocketeer theme reminds me of the Civil War song 'Tramp Tramp Tramp'.

[@melissawickersham9912]

Just how much of the Lydian mode and scale does the music in the Rocketeer actually have? Does the main theme have this mode?

[@seankim884]

James Horner Did A Really Good Job.

[@rubenmolino386]

when I can Master! ....it would be interesting to make a short video about the golden zone...for example in...! Bartok !!.., and to be able to observe,.. if it is! objective or subjective! .. the zone of structural balance.... a hug !!

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

This could have been Medal of Honor OST, it is a saturated style

[@dreamlandnightmare]

Along with John Williams, Michael Giacchino was also no doubt inspired by Horner.