Soundtrack Review: JOHN CARPENTER’S ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

Film-maker legend John Carpenter described himself on the sleeve notes for the original Varese Sarabande LP release of HALLOWEEN as ‘the fastest and cheapest I could get’ and his theme for his classic and now legendary horror original from 1978 has passed into folklore – a simple 5-4 tempo track with a change in tone that scared millions and – like the two note motif in JAWS – helped elevate the film to an iconic horror status.

However, on balance, it is not his best ever score.

That accolade goes to his stunning synth score for his 1981 thriller ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, which was originally available through the Varese Sarabande label, but in the UK under the ‘That’s Entertainment’ label – and a purchase that many fans at the time of its’ original pre-reg VHS release went for. Now available in a complete CD version (see link below), the film is a varied and atmospheric, not to mention inventive use of synth scoring, a collaboration between Carpenter and Alan Howarth, who worked with him on the soundtrack for HALLOWEEN III – SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)

From the mid-pulse MAIN TITLE, through to the final OVER THE WALL finale, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK is a brilliant masterwork of synth production, up there with much of the mainstream music sounds of bands like OMD, Heaven 17 and Depeche Mode.

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