The score to Raise the Titanic was probably one of John Barry's most sought after scores after The Black Hole. From about the same time period, Raise the Titanic was finally released to the joy of many soundtrack collectors in 1999 by Silva Screen Records. This is the first recording of this wonderful soundtrack. Filmed in 1980, Raise the Titanic was unfortunately a box office failure however, the same couldn't be said of the soundtrack by John Barry who was just beginning to reach into the part of his mind that would work to produce the three most popular James Bond soundtracks and the Academy Award winning score to Dances with Wolves.
This score was composed about a year after The Black Hole and as a result, some portions sound similar. But that's not to say that this score is a carbon copy of The Black Hole by any means. The main theme presented first in Prelude is a sweeping and majestic piece that is fitting considering the fact that this film is at least partly about the Titanic. The portions of the score dealing with the suspense and intrigue of the film such as Deep Quest/Flood! are where the similarities to a Bond score or The Black Hole become apparent. Very somber and moody, these pieces are very much in the vein of a Bond score.
To Cornwall/"All that's left" is a jaunty piece that also has a quiet dignity and elegance as it is dealing with Alec Guiness's memories of the Titanic before her tragic meeting with the iceberg. For the portions of the film dealing with the search for the lost liner, Barry uses what is referred to as his "search" theme. This theme is used several times during some of the many tracks dealing with the deep sea search and is a simple theme that is presented differently depending on the situation. Overall this score is a classic Barry score that I picked up mainly because of the universal acclaim for the score. That said, I can't really complain since the score does live up to the hype.
Total time: 50:21
1: Prelude (1:58)
2: Main Title/The Mine Shaft (3:16)
3: The Sicilian Project/Dog Attack (2:33)
4: The Sicilian Defence/Southby/"The Mountain Comes to Us" (3:06)
5: "We're in Business" (1:45)
6: To Cornwall/"All that's left" (Memories of the Titanic) (2:27)
7: Deep Quest/Flood! (5:26)
8: Finding the Cornet/Spy on Board/The Smoke Stack (4:53)
9: The Titanic Uncovered (3:58)
10: Gene Explores the Titanic/Dee Quest Trapped (3:43)
11: Rescue Attempt/Blowing the Tanks (3:50)
12: Raise the Titanic/Deep Quest Saved (3:32)
13: Memories of the Titanic (2:10)
14: Russian Threat/The Titanic Enters New York Harbor (2:58)
15: "Thank God for Southby"/In the Graveyard/End Titles (4:46)