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Cinematic Presidents

What happens when politics and Hollywood collide? Matthew Sweet explores what makes a president on the big screen, featuring classic soundtracks from Nixon and Independence Day.

In cinema, US presidents have been portrayed as heroes, villains, great leaders who unite the world and hopeless puppets who are the butt of jokes. In this episode, Matthew Sweet casts his vote on classic soundtracks to films including Nixon and Independence Day.

Celebrating the 1991 blockbuster, Point Break, as it returns to cinemas in the UK.

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16 minutes

Last on

Sat 9 Nov 202416:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Bernard Herrmann

    North by Northwest "Overture (Main Title)"

    Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Bateman.
    • Bernard Herrmann - The Essential Film Music Collection.
    • Decca (UMO) (Classics).

  • John Williams

    Lincoln "The People's House"

    Performer: Robert Chen. Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Chorus. Conductor: John Williams.
    • Lincoln.
    • Sony Classical.

  • David Arnold

    Independence Day "End Titles"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Dodd.
    • Independence Day.
    • RCA Victor.

  • Mark Isham

    Point Break "Skydive"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Point Break (Original Score From The Motion Picture).
    • La-La Land Records.
    • 16.

  • John Williams

    JFK "Theme from JFK"

    Performer: Reinhold Friedrich. Orchestra: City Light Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Kevin Griffiths.
    • Theme (from "JFK").
    • Prospero Classical.

  • Trevor Jones

    Thirteen Days "Lessons Of History"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Thirteen Days (Original Motion Picture Score).
    • New Line Records.

  • Marc Shaiman

    LBJ "Opening"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • LBJ (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Lakeshore Records.

  • David L Shire

    All The President's Men "To Deep Throat I"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Klute / All The President's Men.
    • Film Score Monthly.

  • David L Shire

    All The President's Men "John Haldeman Phone Call"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Klute / All The President's Men.
    • Film Score Monthly.

  • Hans Zimmer

    Frost/Nixon "Watergate"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Frost/Nixon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Varese.

  • John Williams

    Nixon "The 1960's: The Turbulent Years"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Nixon (Soundtrack).
    • Polydor.

  • Trevor Morris

    Olympus Has Fallen "Land Of The Free"

    Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • Olympus Has Fallen (Music from the Motion Picture).
    • Relativity Music Group.

Broadcast

  • Sat 9 Nov 202416:00
    BBC Radio 3

Podcast

  • Sound of Cinema

    Your weekly roundup of the finest film scores and movie music with Edith Bowman.