Lalo Schifrin - Return From The River Kwai

Information

Composer: Lalo Schifrin

1. Main Title
2. Destroyed Bridge / Meo Tribesmen
3. Firing Squad / Time and Change
4. Headman / Crawford
5. No Glory In Dying
6. Miller's Head / Final Mission
7. Cambodia
8. Brasil Maru
9. Rickshaw / Runaway
10. Crash Position / Gangplank / Japanese Theme
11. Stretcher
12. Dive / Like A Shark
13. The Take
14. Sit Tight / Anchor Chain
15. Escort Hit / Abandon Ship / Sinking
16. End Titles / Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile
17. Japanese Theme
18. Rule, Britannia

The Paris Philharmonic Orchestra

Lalo Schifrin, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: Dragons Domain Recording

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Return from the River Kwai is a 1989 war drama scored by legendary composer Lalo Schifrin, with an additional Japanese theme by Kitarō. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and written by Joan Blair, Clay Blair Jr., and Sargon Tamimi, the film is based on the non-fiction book by Clay and Joan Blair. It tells the true story of 2,218 Australian and British POWs, along with one American soldier, who endured and survived the construction of the notorious WWII “Death Railway.” Although released worldwide, the film never premiered in the United States. The score was recorded by Schifrin in Paris and Kitarō’s theme at his home studio in Tokyo.

Lalo Schifrin (1932–2025), born in Argentina, was classically trained and studied under Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatory while also building a parallel career in jazz. His encounter with Dizzy Gillespie launched his American career, leading to over 100 film and TV scores including Mission: Impossible, Bullitt, Dirty Harry, and Rush Hour. The Return from the River Kwai soundtrack was first released in 2008 and has since become rare. Dragon’s Domain Records has reissued it, newly remastered by James Nelson, and featuring performances by the Paris Philharmonic Orchestra with original liner notes by Darren Allison.

High Resolution 24-bit / 44.1 kHz