Vangelis: Chariots of Fire

Fans of Hugh Hudson's Oscar winning film "Chariots of Fire" or not, if you've seen the movie or not, it's nearly impossible to not recognise the theme song or feel inspired or moved by it. Vangelis' and his piano and 1980's contemporary synthesizer effects thrown into a period piece covering the early 1920's somehow fit with the film, its visuals and message as it follows the runners of the 1924 Olympics and a hit was born and the man became a big name in the film industry - he was already known in music circles, especially his period with Yes frontman Jon Anderson.

Apart from adoring the film soundtrack, I also loved the music video made for the main theme as it explores something that audiences removed from film knowledge don't know exactly the concept of music for the movies are created. Here, Vangelis plays his instruments at the same time he watches the film on a big screen, basically recreating what composers and orchestras do it during the editing process, watching and rewatching rough-cut clips trying to get the feeling of its images or the characters. And it's interesting to notice that Vangelis is only shown along with the moments where the theme are played: at the beginning and at the end credits; the other moments with Ian Charleson and Ben Cross are shown bigger and without the composer.

Excellent in all levels, here's a joyfull musical bliss that hasn't been matched and one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. 9/10.