Vangelis talks about his score for Chariots of Fire

Vangelis and film makers talk a little about the music of Chariots of Fire..The main theme being one of cinema's most recognisable pieces of music ever.

[@MrJohnmav]

Rest in Eternal Peace, Vangelis. Thank you for sharing your musical soul with humanity. Your work will touch the hearts and minds of generations forever.

[@AquarielCharms]

Vangelis is one of the greatest musicians and composers of our time. Vangelis will be remembered like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (& other great composers of the past) and his music will live on forever.

[@2233golf2]

"If you say the right things with music to the soul then you gonna be understood ........" Some profound words right here...

[@handel1685]

I think he said "...from the soul"

[@mansurbaig]

Vangelis and Yanni two great musicians from Greece, their music is like an anthem to this planet.

[@michaelmuldowney8]

Vangelis provided several equally brilliant scores in a short period in the 80’s. Missing, Blade Runner and The Bounty.

[@eddyf4426]

I can't listen to Vangelis music without crying, perhaps his apt description here that his compositions comes from the soul is an explanation.

[@cards0486]

That’s got to be the most beautiful, emotional, and perfect instrumental film score ever. The main theme brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. Hearing it, and watching the scene too, is truly gorgeous art.

[@androoow]

thanks for adding a comment... i love this score..but i'm not sure its my favorite Vangelis score... "missing" is very emotional ..i love his " The bounty 1984" score possibly more?? and 1492.. gives me goose bumps.. cheers .

[@lokomusic1971]

RIP Vangelis ... A true artist

[@susancarpenter3671]

This is the most beautiful movie ever! We loved it and have seen it quite a few times! It never grows old. The music is so soaring and majestic! What other can compare?

[@androoow]

It certainly is a beautiful addition to the film , hard to imagine the film without Vangelis's score.

[@zoolook3264]

Vangelis,Jean-Michel Jarre,Mike Oldfield - I am so glad I live in the time of their music, very inspirational in my own - thank you to the 3 of them for their fantastic music and live shows

[@erikarohac6191]

Mike Oldfield is good but not on the level of the other two artists.

[@tygobermind3640]

Vangelis is head and shoulders above the other two. Jarre is nice but not very emotional music.

[@dickfuckington5328]

@@erikarohac6191 Your statement is just the embodiment of your complete musical ignorance, which is very sad.

[@dickfuckington5328]

@@tygobermind3640 A totally subjective and unfounded remark that has nothing much to do with reality.

[@tygobermind3640]

@@dickfuckington5328 Your comment yes.

[@philipcopp5166]

It already sums up to why my greatest ever artist of Vangelis tragically died at the age of 79 this week on Tuesday to why he was my all time favourite in Greek electronic music in the lifetime of great memories

[@androoow]

Thats such a great comment , thanks..i agree..i couldn't imagine life without his music...i feel blessed to have shared in it for the last 30 years.

[@art_praxis]

I believe that music is the language of the soul too! Great interview, Thankyou for sharing.

[@ComposerMonja]

This is one of the best Scores of all time!!! You are transported to the Universe! Vangelis, you are one of my most favourite composers!!!

[@prodromos7549]

HE IS A SIMPLY STOLE IT FROM STAVROS

[@jimcameron1234]

But BLADE RUNNER + 1492 scores much better

[@misterakt]

watching this today May 19th 2022, the day it was announced that he had died. Vangelis will forever be remembered as one of the most important composers of the 20th century.

[@carolina-qp3cu]

Chariots of fire....me hace acordar a mi infancia,cuando vi la pelicula por primera vez.gracias Vangelis,genio de la musica, por todos los excelentes temas que haces.

[@mdsftx]

This movie's opening scene and musical score are some of the most moving ever filmed. The only other song for a movie, that when people hear it, instantly associates the song and movie is the "Gonna Fly Now" in Rocky when the trumpets start blaring.

[@linwoodgray6127]

This is the reason this film was such as success RIP vangelis

[@user-mw8um6mc3v]

That opening sequence.....Oh my god!!!

[@Fedralicious1]

I believe there should not be a comparison at all. I mean... we are talking for whole different eras and people and the technology and instruments that were available then and now are also not possible to compare. The classics did extremely well with the elements they had available back then and Vangelis is also doing very good with what he has to his disposal now. Let's not forget that he is self taught so he is a "natural". Love and respect for all of them. New and old. :) They gave so much...

[@poetcomic1]

The tune they were going to use at first became the love theme of Year of Living Dangerous. Another superb Vangelis score.

[@nicfewer8393]

Rest in Peace.

[@Texasscout96]

One of the best movies of all time...

[@Fedralicious1]

All those artists you mentioned are all great. No doubt. They had so little to their disposal and yet they managed to create art that is timeless and loved till today (and forever i guess) but that doesn't mean that the artists of today are to think or appreciate less just because they happened to born to another era and have more elements to their disposal and different mentality. All artists expressed through their work the spirit of the time they lived. Future artists will have more. *continu

[@jameshoran8]

The movie whose first five minutes with the beach scene and music won it Best Picture.

[@ledepi34]

In terms of score, Chariots of Fire is my favorite movie. And I find AMAZING that they have never included one of the original musics from the movie on the vinil or cd. It's this one which plays in this video from 2:16 to 2:53.

[@vaibhav5876]

Thanks for uploading.

[@androoow]

i first heard his music around 1977/78 so i have been listening to him for 30 years, i don't mean i have had any input with Vangelis or his music . He and his music has had a major impact on my life,well beyond casual listening.

[@firstmusic00]

From what I've read about Harold Abrahams, he was obbessed about being the fastest man on the planet in the 100 meters and had his sights firmly fixed in the 1924 Olympic gold medal. His work ethic was second to none. He worked every bit as hard as Bolt has.

[@abbybrockman3365]

What an excellent movie I'm so happy to own the movie well done

[@MuizeekPhanahtic]

(1 of 2) Thanks 4 posting this informative/enjoyable clip from 'Chariots Of Fire' (part of Special Features on the DVD). "L'Enfant" is a remarkable/beautiful track that could have done just as nicely if it was used in the final production (it's available on his 'Opera Sauvage' album and 'Themes' compilation album). Vangelis is a one-of-a-kind talent that this world is blessed for having because he translates perfect the bonds between music and heart; the emotion pours through and sustains. A+!

[@danilocaseres8225]

VANGELIS IS THE GREAT MENTOR OF ALLDS ONE AGE A BIG MUSICIANS AND COMPOSITORED

[@brianscottmednick235]

My favorite film score of all time. One of the great opening shots of all time. Sadly, a very dull movie.

[@thebacons5943]

Truly brilliant

[@NohSpinZone]

RIP Vangelis. The theme is genius of course; however, for my money the use of "Hymne" from Opera Sauvage in the race scene in the Scottish Highlands was inspired. It's hauntingly beautiful.

[@TheNeedlefactory]

I dont think anyone would be talking about this film now if it wasn't for the music, Its 100% a music video. The producers are delusional with '40%'

[@HyperHorse]

Needle Factory You need to watch the movie again. You're missing the point completely. Maybe when you're a bit older and/or faced some adversity in your life you will understand what the movie is about.

[@MuizeekPhanahtic]

(2 of 2) Coincidentally, "L'Enfant" was the central theme to the film 'Year Of Living Dangerously' starring Mel Gibson (not available on soundtrack). It was Vangelis who scored the film 'The Bounty' (a re-make, with Mel Gibson & Anthony Hopkins), so Vangelis & Mel were featured in 2 movies together! Interesting footnote. I'd just like to add that "Titles" (the main music finally used in 'Chariots Of Fire') is brilliant and touching; sounds like a birth, or dawn of a new day. Great clip. A+!

[@ternitamas]

Legendary!

[@adam872]

Vangelis score is one of the things that makes this movie so great and so enduring. The theme song is not even the best piece in the score, either (IMHO). I reckon Harold's Theme is one of the great pieces of movie music ever recorded.

[@systemler44]

I was in this movie as an extra

[@Atolis2008]

@BarryDennen12: Vangelis made the score with the age of 38 (1981). But this interview is from 2005, where he was 62...

[@firstmusic00]

The 2 posts I've read from you have told me eveything I need to know about you. You...outta the gene pool! :(

[@RunningOnFull]

It's a shame that Vangelis didn't include the cue from 2:05-2:57 in the new remastered album, it really is one of my favorites from the movie.

[@Maximilianmusic]

Chariots Of Fire made 40% success of this film??? 99.99%!!! Vangelis Is a Greatest Composer!!! My teacher

[@leonardodp34]

And the Oscar goes to... Vangelis, for Chariots of Fire.

[@prodromos7549]

STOLEN SONG

[@donna25871]

Wasn’t that part of L’enfant used by Peter Weir for The Year of Living Dangerously?

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

well mostly the Yamaha CS80 for his fanfare and brass sounds.

[@McIntyreBible]

1:24, I agree! 40% of the films success is because of the music.

[@SnoopyDoofie]

Music like this only comes along once every 30 or 40 years. The last one was probably Titanic, from James Horner. If only Thomas Bergersen would write a film score.

[@carolina-qp3cu]

la del film 1492 ,tambien es espectacular(Conquest of Paradise)

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, this is cool

[@CroBer09]

Genious

[@generalcircle]

His full name is Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou Pronounced : Ee vangelose odisee ass paapa tanass ee oo

[@hwyfan]

“L’Enfant” is a beautiful composition by Vangelis, but it did not work as well for the opening sequence of the runners on the beach as did his “Titles” composition.

[@firstmusic00]

@drchepa I agree. Chariots Of Fire owes much to Heaven and Hell, part 1.

[@MrDBarch]

hey, i almost thought -I- wrote this comment you posted, as i sure could have! im really glad i know of all three of those composers, and am well acquainted with their music styles. i've written a lot of stuff myself which i suppose was influenced from these guys. i was listening to jarre back in 1983.... do you compose as well?

[@maites1000]

vangelis is THE BEST OF THE BEST είναι ο καλύτερος όλων των εποχών

[@revokdaryl1]

Yes, and Depeche Mode, New Order, OMD...

[@bus114]

Is the music at 0:41 the theme he's referring to as the one that was originally going to be used for the beach sequence? If I'm not mistaken, that tune was used later in the film, in a different form, as the athletes marched into the Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony.

[@aristidispas]

Go and see("Movement 1"from Mythodea-Vangelis) From Vangelis Papathanasiou!!"Mythodea: Music for the NASA Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey" is a choral symphony by the Greek electronic composer Vangelis performed at the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens on June 28, 2001.Mythodea was made the official theme music of the mission involving the NASA unmanned spacecraft orbiting the planet Mars.Toso shmantikoi einai oi ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ!!!

[@maites1000]

mozart vivaldi beethoven at their time BUT now ONLY VANGELIS PAPATHANASIOU HIS THE BEST

[@sfakianos7]

Ultimate μάγγας.

[@prodromos7549]

KALOS KLEFTIS

[@bus114]

sid1662, listen to the tune again, then listen to the march as the athletes enter the stadium (search for "chariots of fire parade" to see the scene on youtube). Same motif in a different form, is it not?

[@androoow]

@jaxiiiboy which statement are you referring too? you tubes new comment system is useless.

[@aeonflux67]

When Carl Lewis ran 9.98 or close to win the LA games 100m gold in 1984 he would have finished about 3m behind Usain Bolt at Beijing. Lopez's Marathon time in 1984 was still Olympic record till these games 2hr.09 compared to 2hr.06 which has been described as something extraordinary. Sergei Bubka the pole volter would is the sports best from late 80's still. So no...these athletes in 80's were the start of the "business athletes". Live, eat and drink their sport to reach perfection.

[@MrDBarch]

Well, I went to pay ya a visit! Very nice; clean and tight it is, and really cool visuals as well. I would love to animate a large production Im working on, it's pretty much a 3hr operetta, but would come off in animation even better. My user name will take you to my page as well. i have a few works posted, not electronic, but im sure you can appreciete the content! cheers and thanks for sharing!

[@firstmusic00]

Also, how do you think Bolt would do under the same circumstances? Same training, same shoes and running on the same dirt/sand track. I'll bet that 9/10th of a second shrinks quite a bit.

[@mariadaconceicaogarcia7317]

Pode traduzir para o portugues

[@aeonflux67]

I mean the equipment doesnt matter in terms of - if the olden day runners wore modern Nike then they wouldnt match Bolt. And if Bolt wore the clogs of the 1920's as they did then they still wouldnt match Bolt. So same equipment, Bolt is still superior. Its about the fact that the man is a physically superior being. The olden days, people didnt think of putting in the hard work and sacrifice of modern day athletes.

[@Peccath]

@ledepi34 "started a big trend"

[@firstmusic00]

Do you realize that in the 1924 Olympics Harold Abrahams ran the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds? Bolt ran it 9.69 seconds. Is that a big difference? Yes...but not as much as you might think.

[@Fedralicious1]

Just because artists in the future will have more to work with and more means and elements will that make their work less important? There might be artists that will be better than the ones in the past. Why not? But just because that might happen, that will not say that old artists work is no longer great. That is what i meant.

[@sid1662]

No, it was never used and it only appears in Opera Savage -- much better piece I think...

[@androoow]

age is just a label.. and is your comment some kind of insult? what are you trying to say?

[@aeonflux67]

The athletes at those Olympics in 1928 would be slaughtered in their chosen events by modern athletes. CRUSHED! would be a polite word by todays true CHAMPIONS and SUPERSTARS.

[@MrSleuth89]

1924

[@ledepi34]

I don't understand english extremely well. In this moment in 2:11 , Hugh Hudson says: "It was one of the first times electronic music was used in Cinema..." - Ok. What does he say next?

[@subplantant]

"It started a big trend" :)

[@aneily]

what synths did he use to get that warm sound?

[@tomhanhart5921]

He often used the Yamaha CS-80 for strings and horn sounds. There is a current replica called Deckards Dream available. But there is also a common opinion that mainly the specific playing of Vangelis made the sound so unique.

[@firstmusic00]

I just don't get why your so thick-headed as to not give credit to the achievements of athletes from the past. Abrahams was a fast man...period! No matter who you're comparing him to or from what time period. I'll say again...84 years ago the man ran a 10.60 in the 100 meters...a mear 9/10th of a second behind Bolt's best time.

[@naohara100]

つい　僕のことを言っているような妄想にかられる

[@androoow]

pappa--than--ass--ee--owe

[@Surannhealz]

L'Enfant is great, but ya....he beat it, no doubt.

[@aeonflux67]

No - just a superior member of the pool

[@Boudosaved]

What about Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk, Devo...

[@dkickboxer]

What exactly did you expect?

[@maites1000]

sorry VANGELIS

[@aeonflux67]

Usain Bolt on grass/cinder tracks etc with those 1928 shoes would still be able to run backwards and beat those guys. Its about the physical superiority not track or equipment. He trains better, eats better, is more dedicated, trains harder, pushes himself to the limit and sport is life. These dudes above look like they rolled our of an English pub one day and thought..."oh lets give it a go". Sorry...but Usain and his modern day peers would eat these dudes for breakfast.

[@aeonflux67]

I am. It obvious that the pre WWII Olympians were only a shadow of the modern ones. Simple lack of application, effort, skilling, fitness...the works.

[@EnzoTheBaker]

poor film? why you!

[@erikarohac6191]

Dumb movie but extraordinary soundtrack.

[@aeonflux67]

The point is watching this movie and seeing Eric - or whatever his name is - race the 100m is more like watching a comedy than ever after watching Mr Bolt from Jamaica blow the field off the map last night in Beijing in the 100m in 9.68seconds. I see olden days sports contestants and their so called achievements as nothing more than embarrassing So to make a movie out of them as though they are something worth recognising is equally embarrassing. Though Vangelis music was nice at least.

[@prodromos7549]

VANGELIS YOU STOLE THE SONG AND THIS FACT WILL HUNT YOU FOREVER EVEN IN HELL THAT IS WHY YOU PLAYED IT IN FOR THE MOVIE CHARIOTS OF FIRE AND THE ORIGINAL SONG CALLED CITY OF VIOLETS YOU CHOOSE SIDES

[@androoow]

it was proven in court that he didn't "steal the song ".. so take your hatred someplace else!