ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS - THE SCORE

One of my favourite science fiction film scores is the one written for the 1964 flick Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Composed by veteran arranger and composer Nathan Van Cleave (billed simply as "Van Cleave"), this underrated 'space' score fits the film's inherent intimacy so well. There is the upbeat, almost joyous, main theme which feels like a pseudo U.S. National Anthem, essential as the story involves a stranded American astronaut (played believably by Paul Mantee), but a sense of alternating wonder and hopelessness permeates the score proper as we witness the lone figure's fight to survive in the harsh environment of Mars. The 'alien factor' comes into play when an escaped interstellar slave (Victor Lundin) enters the picture and is slowly, and cautiously, befriended by Mantee. Van Cleave's music becomes almost spiritual at times from this point on, intertwining with the established themes to culminate in an uplifting rendering at the film's positive conclusion.

It should be noted that Nathan Van Cleave wrote some of the spookiest and most atmospheric scores for the original Twilight Zone series, including the one for the nightmarish episode "Perchance to Dream". (The music is a huge contributor to this effect.) His score for Robinson Crusoe on Mars is at times reminiscent of his work on the classic television program; especially with his use of the Novachord.

I have not heard Film Score Monthly's 2011 CD release of the Robinson score, so I can only comment in terms of how it fits in the actual movie; the most important term! I would not mind getting the disc, however. Apparently the sound (in stereo, no less) is exceptional. Now that I think about it I do remember listening to the opening theme on the record company's music sample page and thinking "this is glorious!"


A good overview and breakdown of the score to Robinson Crusoe on Mars from the film music review site "Movie Music UK"...
http://moviemusicuk.us/2011/04/12/robinson-crusoe-on-mars-nathan-van-cleave/