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To mark the release of his latest film, the awards-tipped Empire of Light, Sam Mendes takes Radio 2’s resident movie critic James King through the music of his films.

To mark the release of his latest film, the awards-tipped Empire of Light, Sam Mendes takes Radio 2’s resident movie critic James King through the music of his films.

Starting with how the music in his Oscar-winning debut American Beauty came about – including the iconic score for the plastic bag scene, how Sam dubbed in his own whistling and refusing to pay a six-figure sum to include a rock classic. Then James delves into the music of Empire of Light and the early 80s soundtrack that reflects Sam’s own teenage music tastes.

Sam reveals how the poignant I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger wasn't in his initial plan for the WWI epic 1917. Finally, he discusses how working with Adele on the theme for Skyfall was a dream, and what really happened when his second Bond film, Spectre, ended up with two theme songs - from Radiohead and Sam Smith.

Sir Sam Mendes started his directorial career on the stage, with his future Skyfall star Judi Dench amongst the cast of his first West End show, and won an Olivier Award in 1996 for his work on Company and The Glass Menagerie. In 1999, he made his big-screen directorial debut with American Beauty, which was met with critical acclaim and five Academy Awards, including a Best Director gong for Mendes.

Since then he's played with a variety of genres and styles, including the lo-fi indie comedy-drama Away We Go, the noir thriller Road to Perdition and an adaptation of the modern classic novel Revolutionary Road. Then, in 2012, he directed the first of two James Bond films in the acclaimed Skyfall, which marked 50 years of the franchise and raked in over a billion dollars at the global box office. In 2019, he was back at the awards ceremonies once more, receiving Best Director and Best Film Baftas for the WWI epic 1917.

His latest film, Empire of Light, is set in the early 80s and is a very personal film for Mendes. It revolves around the employees of the Empire, a stunning but struggling independent cinema on the seafront, notably new arrival Stephen, played by Micheal Ward, and Hilary, played by Olivia Coleman.

This programme was recorded before the sad passing of Terry Hall of The Specials.

57 minutes

Last on

Tue 8 Aug 2023 03:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Music Played

  • Free

    All Right Now

    • Island.

  • The Who

    Baba O'Riley

    • The Who Hits 50! (Deluxe Edition).
    • Polydor.
    • 001.

  • Bill Withers

    Use Me

    • CBS.

  • The Who

    The Seeker

  • Etta James

    At Last

    • Etta James- The Genuine Article.
    • Mca/Chess.

  • Stephen Lipson & Annie Lennox

    Don't Let It Bring You Down

  • Jakatta

    American Dream

    • Now That's What I Call Music 48 CD2.
    • Now.

  • Led Zeppelin

    When The Levee Breaks

    • Led Zeppelin - Early Days.
    • Atlantic.

  • Bob Dylan

    All Along The Watchtower

  • Joni Mitchell

    You Turn Me On I'm A Radio

    • Reprise.

  • Joy Division

    Love Will Tear Us Apart

    • Glorious (Various Artists).
    • Columbia.

  • The Clash

    White Riot

    • ESSENTIAL CLASH.
    • Columbia.

  • Buzzcocks

    Everybody's Happy Nowadays

    • EMI.

  • The Selecter

    On My Radio

    • EMI.

  • ²Ρ΄Η³ΩΓ¶°ω³σ±π²Ή»ε

    Overkill

    • Essential.

  • Elvis Costello & The Attractions

    (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea

    • Elvis Costello & Attractions- The Man.
    • Imp Records.

  • The Specials

    Ghost Town

    • NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 1981 (VARIOUS).
    • Two-Tone.
    • 5.

  • Tom Petty

    Free Fallin'

    • MCA.

  • The Specials

    Too Much Too Young

    • Chrysalis.

  • The Clash

    Bankrobber

    • CBS.

  • The Specials

    Do Nothing

    • EMI.

  • Nacio Herb Brown

    Singin' in the Rain

    Singer: Gene Kelly.
    • Musical Wonderland (Various Artists).
    • Warner Strategic Marketi.

  • Jos Slovick

    I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger (from "1917" (A Cappella))

  • Simon & Garfunkel

    Mrs. Robinson

    • Old Friends.
    • Columbia.

  • Public Enemy

    Fight The Power

    • The No.1 Rap Album.
    • Polygram Tv.
    • 7.

  • Radiohead

    Spectre

    • Ticker Tape Ltd.

  • Adele

    Skyfall

    • (CD Single).
    • XL.

  • The Beat

    Too Nice To Talk To

Broadcasts

  • Sat 7 Jan 2023 01:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
  • Tue 8 Aug 2023 03:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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