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After years of exhaustive searches for session masters proved unsuccessful, Intrada worked with ITV and current soundtrack license holder UMG to finally premiere the rare 1981 album in CD format, working from pristine copies of the album itself (even these masters remain AWOL) and utilizing state-of-the-art NoNoise technology that addressed all surface noise without sacrificing any vivid dynamics of the original score, which was recorded in France under Barry’s direction.
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MCA Records released an album in 1981 running just 27 minutes, but managed to create a dynamic record that included several rousing selections from John Barry’s score, the John Barry/Merle Haggard ballads and - of course - that legendary Rossini theme. Composer John Barry tackles a rare western subject in his celebrated career, anchoring the score with “The Man In The Mask”, sung in the Main Title by country superstar Merle Haggard and featuring lyrics by Dean Pitchford (Academy Award-winning songs for Fame) and harmonica soloist Paul Jones (of Manfred Mann fame).
![the legend of the lone ranger 1981 the legend of the lone ranger 1981](https://movierob.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/legend.jpg)
Vowing vengeance, Reid dons his famed mask, joins with Tonto, breaks in his famous white steed and fights for law and order.
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In this tale set in 1854 Texas, young John Reid sees the murder of his parents, finds adoption by a tribe of Native Americans, befriends boy Tonto, sees rescue by his brother and the Texas Rangers, becomes a lawyer but is left for dead during an ambush by the Cavendish outlaw gang. Their signature music was the William Tell Overture by Rossini, but its incredible popularity caused the enduring melody to be forever re-christened as “The Lone Ranger theme”. Their heroic exploits began in radio dramas of the 1930’s, then appeared in Republic serials in the late 30’s, moved on to early television in the 40’s, then landing in movies in the later 50’s. Yes, great white horse Silver gets plenty of screen time as well. Fraker, cinematographer Lazslo Kovacs, producer Walter Koblenz, screen writers Ivan Goff & Ben Roberts, Michael Kane and William Roberts (of The Magnificent Seven fame), with Christopher Lloyd, Jason Robards as co-stars and Klinton Spilsbury and Michael Horse leading as legendary western heroes The Lone Ranger and trusted Native American side-kick Tonto. Just don’t expect anything more than a clean looking transfer of the film.At last! Terrific 1981 John Barry western soundtrack arrives on CD! Top-drawer production credits include the British ITC production company headed by Sir Lew Grade, director William A. If you are a fan of “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” then this one might be for you. It would have been great to get an interview with Spilsbury on this release but I have a feeling that his experience with the film is something he wants to keep buried in his past. A theatrical trailer is the only added bonus. Grant.Īlthough Shout! Factory’s HD transfer looks great, this release is lacking in bonus features. Two of the best elements of “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” are Christopher Lloyd as Butch Cavendish and Jason Robards as Ulysses S. Having the chance to revisit “The Legend of the Lone Ranger” for the first time as an adult, I have to say that although it’s pretty campy and takes too long to get going, it treats the title character much better than the recent 2013 release from director Gore Verbinski. Although I was too young to be aware of the film’s bad publicity upon its’ release I think that negative buzz made the film seem much worse than it actually was. I had not seen this film in more than 30 years and even though it was a massive bomb when released theatrically, I remembered enjoying it as a kid. Arriving this week on Blu-ray is 1981’s “The Legend of the Lone Ranger”, starring Klinton Spilsbury, Christopher Lloyd and directed by William A.