In Like Flint / Our Man Flint

Jerry Goldsmith

 
" Our man Jerry "

Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release

The movies Our Man Flint and its sequel In Like Flint were parodies of the James Bond movies of the time. Starring James Coburn as spy Derek Flint, both movies weren't that successful, at least never that successful as those James Bond movies. But if we're talking about James Bond, we're talking about the iconic theme of the series as well. Jerry Goldsmith however had different plans with Flint when he was asked to compose the music. And perhaps that's the reason why Flint doesn't sound anything like James Bond theme wise. If you want to tackle the score chronologically, it's best then to start with track 16 "Our Man Flint". And here we immediately notice the more romantic theme for master spy Flint (and also the troublesome sound quality). By several tracks it becomes clear you have heard this theme before, just many years later (in Batman & Robin when we hear the exact same theme for the entrance of Poison Ivy). What comes closest to an action moment is "It's Gotta be a World Record" while cool escapades unfold in "You're a Foolish Man, Mr. Flint". Meaning the music is not ballsy, but it is catchy. And In Like Flint proves once more Goldsmith never repeats himself to the death. The themes do return but there's just so much diversity on board to keep the score as entertaining as the other one. Things are interesting and bouncy enough, but sometimes it just goes on a bit too long. "Mince & Cook Until Tender" is cool though, mixing the 2 themes together for an entertaining listen. Ah, it's light stuff, and Jerry Goldsmith brings his usual light flair to it. Together it works, as long as you remember it ain't James Bond.

The music in Our Man Flint is creative, bouncy and exotic.
The main themes return in the second score In Like Flint.
The music surely lacks in the sound department. This would sound so much more entertaining if it would receive a re recording.

In Like Flint
1. Where the Bad Guys are Gals (2.43)
2. The Golf Lesson (1.20)
3. Get Flint (3.10)
4. Ahh, Your Father's Bop-Up (2.38)
5. Uninvited Guest (1.03)
6. Mince & Cook Until Tender (2.37)
7. Ballet Music (1.16)
8. Odin, Dva, Tri, Kick (4.07)
9. The Deep Freeze (3.01)
10. Ladies Will Kindly Remove Their Hats (2.23)
11. Your Zowie Face (2.12)
12. Westward Ho (5.35)
13. Lost in Space (2.23)
14. Flint is Alive (1.21)
15. End Titles (Your Zowie Face) (1.44)

Our Man Flint
16. Our Man Flint (1.53)
17. The Quest (2.11)
18. Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone (2.21)
19. New York Skyline (4.29)
20. A Bit of Research (1.40)
21. Tell Me More About the Volcano (2.28)
22. Take Some Risks, Mr. Flint (1.26)
23. In Like Flint (1.27)
24. The Boilerman (1.04)
25. Never Mind, You'd Love It (1.30)
26. You're a Foolish Man, Mr. Flint (2.06)
27.It's Gotta Be a World's Record (2.32)
28. End Titles (1.59)

Total Length: 67.44
(click to rate this score)  
 
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(total of 2 votes - average 3/5)

Released by

Varèse Sarabande VSD-5935 (regular release 1998)

Conducted by

Jerry Goldsmith