If you were the average composer who had struck it big with a particular theme, logic would say that you use the same theme over and over and over again in all the sequels to insure your survival. But John Williams isn't your average composer. Rather than present us with yet another presentation of The Raiders March, Williams comes up with an all new series of themes to tickle our musical fancy. The score for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade carries enough new material to sustain itself without depending upon the original march.
The religous theme, heard in The Keeper of The Grail representing both the crusade and the grail itself is a powerful theme. Rather than beef up the religious motif with a choir composition, so as to maximize the religious undertones that Spielberg wanted to create, Williams leaves the piece largely orchestral. The theme for the Nazis is a robust, pompous fanfare that makes the villians seem evil enough but still showing signs of stupidity. This well put in No Ticket which is a very comical piece that illustrates the characteristics of both hero and villian. The same piece is played but with varying intensities of power to differentiate between Indiana Jones and Colonel Vogel.
The two concert pieces, Scherzo For Motorcyle and Orchestra and Escape from Venice are extremely complex orchestral masterpieces that are as much fun concert as they are in the version presented in the movie. Scherzo For Motorcycle and Orchestra is a typical foray for Williams into an action track but very well composed and exciting to listen to. As for Escape from Venice, it is also a very adventurous piece which is given a bit of an Italian sound with the use of an Italian guitar in a small portion. Keeping Up with the Joneses is one of the new themes introduced for both Indiana Jones and Henry Jones Sr.. It starts off very powerfully but then comes down to a melodious and slightly playful level which is perfect for the father/son relationship it is complimenting. The best track, though is the final one, which combines the finale and end credits; it contains a typical Williams summary of main themes.
For more adventure, Indy's First Adventure also starts out quietly and then builds up the fun to the exciting finish, however, it is a different arrangement than the one heard in the final cut of the movie. Another good track is Belly of Steel Beast, heard during the battle with the German tank. It too is a different arrangement than the one heard in the movie but it is nonetheless worth listening to. Like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom this soundtrack introduces new themes rather than relying solely on well established ones, but, neither one is as good as the original (especially after Raiders' 1995 re-release on CD).
Total time: 58:16
1: Indy's Very First Adventure (8:11)
2: X Marks the Spot (3:07)
3: Scherzo For Motorcyle and Orchestra (3:49)
4: Ah, Rats!!! (3:36)
5: Escape from Venice (4:21)
6: No Ticket (2:42)
7: The Keeper of the Grail (3:21)
8: Keeping Up with the Joneses (3:35)
9: Brother of the Cruciform Sword (1:53)
10: Belly of the Steel Beast (5:26)
11: The Canyon of the Crescent Moon (4:16)
12: The Penitent Man Will Pass (3:23)
13: End Credits (Raiders March) (10:36)