WARGAMES (1983)

WARGAMES is an essential listen for any admirer of Arthur B. Rubinstein's music and the most likely place to start in discussing his scores. It is one of the most successful in a long line of collaborations between Rubinstein and director John Badham and is an exciting thriller meets misfit getting into trouble movie of the 80s. The screenplay is studied in screenwriting classes because it's near perfect for it's time. Matthew Broderick plays David Lightman, a video arcade gamer and home computer geek/hacker who taps into a military computer by accident. The computer is WOPR (War Operation Plan Response) and is the new machine the government has placed to take responsibility for launching the nukes against the Soviets. David meets Jennifer Mack, played wonderfully by Ally Sheedy and soon they get involved with NORAD when the machine starts calling David back.

The opening march is a rousing wind band piece that returns once in the film but it uses elements that will be featured throughout. The amazing thing about Arthur B's music is the little sub-motifs he toys with and combines as a whole to create a wonderful musical tapestry:





There is an exciting theme for David (originating from the Video Fever song) and used as he escapes from NORAD (complete with a sneaky muted trombone). The mysterious use of the minor third intervals descending for Falken and his computer creation Joshua is a score highlight. The Falken's Maze or "History Lesson" music for David's library researching montage has always been a favorite synth with orchestra 80's cue. Unfortunately only the vocal version (Arthur B's original concept for the montage) was released on the now out of print Intrada soundtrack album. We all tend to love the original film version the most which contains the French Horns on David's theme: 





The orchestra builds to a climax on Joshua's theme while the entire cast ensemble is brilliantly assembled at NORAD for the final act of the picture:







WARGAMES is spectacular film scoring and highly recommended listening.

-- Brandon F.

The screenplay to WARGAMES is noted in the book Making a Good Script Great where the author basically hails the film as being a perfectly constructed movie. This is absolutely true. This movie is perfect in script, casting, directing, pace, humor, and of course, music. Arthur B. was allowed to score the 80s usual minute-thirty montage sequence where one usually finds a pop song for example. This sequence spans over several days following David as he investigates the history of Protovision. Arthur B. makes this scene exciting on all levels. It first appears inquisitive or sneaky, builds to determination, grows into frustration, until it finally ends at a "DECEASED" resignation. Poor David. There is action music throughout and a memorable slow theme on harmonica that acts as a bit of a love theme. It has to be a good score if it remains in one's life (my life) after so many years.


-- Lin C. 

Film Trailer


Soundtrack Album Sequence