The Getaway [Unused Film Score] (1972)

The Getaway [Unused Film Score] (1972) Composed & Conducted by Jerry Fielding (1922-1980) Tracklisting: 1. [00:00] Benyon's World 2. [01:32] The Water Hole 3. [03:55] Doc and Carol 4. [05:18] Casing the Joint 5. [06:46] The Bank Robbery 6. [14:30] Bullet Proof 7. [15:57] Payoff 8. [18:16] Bag Theft 9. [21:44] Laughlin's 10. [22:23] Punch It, Baby 11. [23:40] Shall We Gather at the River 12. [24:26] Texas Trash Heap 13. [25:46] Hombres 14. [26:47] Money Talks 15. [29:14] Hotel Confrontation 16. [33:29] End Credits From renowned filmmaker Sam Peckinpah (1925-1984), this gritty crime caper stars Ali MacGraw and legendary Hollywood actor Steve McQueen (1930-1980) alongside standout performances from Sally Struthers (who has been active on stage and screen for over five decades), Al Lettieri (1928-1975), Ben Johnson (1918-1996), Bo Hopkins (1938-2022), and Slim Pickens (1919-1983). While no masterpiece, this is a solid and immensely satisfying film that has all the markings of a Peckinpah classic, right down to its montage editing, morally ambiguous characters and excessive violence. At the time of filming, the two lead stars had a real-life romance which translated into their on-screen chemistry, making it more authentic. In 1995 New Zealand filmmaker Roger Donaldson made a re-remake starring then husband-and-wife Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger. Whilst not bad, it simply couldn't replace the original. Based on the 1958 novel of the same name by author and screenwriter Jim Thompson (1906-1977), the narrative follows Steve McQueen as Doc McCoy, who is serving a ten-year sentence for armed robbery in a Texas prison. His wife, Carol (Ali MacGraw), cuts a deal with the shady Jack Beynon (Ben Johnson) for his parole in exchange for a bank robbery. Once out of prison, McCoy, his wife, and two of Beynon's henchmen (Al Lettieri and Bo Hopkins) steal $500,000. But unbeknownst to McCoy, there's deceit and betrayal everywhere. What starts as a classic bank heist quickly spirals into a tense, character-driven story about loyalty, betrayal, and survival as Doc and his wife race across Texas toward the Mexican border, being pursued not just by the law, but by double-crosses, shifting alliances, and their own fractured relationship. Peckinpah's longtime composer Jerry Fielding was initially chosen to score the film. Both had a productive partnership creating lasting works in 'The Wild Bunch (1969), 'Straw Dogs (1971), 'Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) and 'The Killer Elite (1975). Unfortunately, Fielding's music was rejected by McQueen, who used his clout to commission Quincy Jones (1933-2024) for a new score. Though Jones' music had a jazzier edge, and featured harmonica solos by Belgian jazz musician Toots Thielemans (1922-2016) and vocals by Don Elliott (1926-1984), Fielding's score, which starts with a jaunty country-style piece before the trademark martial motifs and sustained strings, perfectly fits the mood of the film, and also stands well on its own. The 1970's was an intensely prolific period for the American composer, one where his complex, intricate style was on display to the extreme, filled with such classics as 'Lawman (1971), 'The Nightcomers (1971), 'The Mechanic (1972), 'Scorpio (1973), 'The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), and 'Escape from Alcatraz (1979) among others. This video is for promotional use only. I do not own the rights to the music. All rights belong to the artist / band.