Thunderball CD soundtrack

Music composed, arranged and conducted by John Barry except where noted. * = [Barry - Black]. ** = [Barry - Norman]. *** = [Barry - Bricusse].

Music originally recorded at CTS Studios, Bayswater, London, in October 1965.

Total playing time : 1:19:03

Soundtrack review

John Barry returns once again for the Thunderball score. Barry's film score once again uses his big band and jazz-inspired arrangements; combined with the power of Tom Jones singing the title theme makes this a very commanding soundtrack indeed. Two versions of the original title theme, Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang are present on the CD, although the lyrics version is not present (this is on the 30th Anniversary CD). The first-half of the CD contains plenty of action music with 'Chateau Flight' and 'Traction Table' getting you in the mood. There is plenty of atmosphere and suspense during the various underwater tracks such as 'Search for Vulcan', 'Bond Below Disco Volante' and Finding The Plane'. Things really get going when 'Underwater Ballet' and 'Bond Joins Underwater Battle' gets into full swing climaxing with 'Death of Largo'. Luckily quite a lot of the second-half footage has been restored in this remastered special edition.

Play listing

A number of cues on this CD are difficult to position. The below playlist is only approximate and based on personal preference, so you may wish to move a couple of the tracks around. For example, track 13 features the gunbarrel which is out of place with the other cues. The only way to get this better would be to chop up the cues and recreate the playlist. Advanced instructions on this method can be found at John Barry : A Life in Music.

2 Chateau Fight** (2:31)
1 Thunderball - Main Title* (3:03)
18 Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang [Mono Version] (2:41) (not in film)
3 The Spa (2:42)
4 Switching the Body (2:48)
13 Gunbarrel / Traction Table / Gassing the Plane / Car Chase (4:43)
14 Bond Meets Domino / Shark Tank / Lights out for Paula / For King and Country (8:18)
6 Cafe Martinique*** (3:45)
7 Thunderball* (3:57)
9 Bond Below Disco Volante (4:05)
10 Search for Vulcan (2:24)
15 Street Chase (3:23)
8 Death of Fiona (2:31)
5 The Bomb (5:45)
16 Finding the Plane / Underwater Ballet / Bond with Spectre Frogmen / Leiter to the Rescue / Bond Joins Underwater Battle (10:15)
11 007 (2:27)
17 Underwater Mayhem / Death of Largo / End Titles (10:21)
12 Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang*** (3:18)