The backstory to the score for this Yugoslavian film ~ Originally - TopicsExpress

The backstory to the score for this Yugoslavian film ~ Originally scored by Yugoslav composer Vladimir Kraus-Rajteric, his score was at odds with Hollywood’s epic war-movie scoring traditions. Understated, very brief, and containing only two main components (a selection of marches and some Slavic ethnic singing), international distributors were not enthused. American producers Henry Weinstein and Steve Previn sought the services of Herrmann to rescore it. In London at the time, Herrmann wasn’t fond of the film and compared it to a “great big roast beef” from which every collaborating nation “cuts off the piece they like...one bit’s well-done, another bit’s overdone…and everybody’s happy.” Herrmann acquiesced only after the producers agreed to pay him more than his usual fee and gave him the opportunity to vacation with his wife in Yugoslavia. I tried to find video of William Strombergs superior re-recording of the prelude but was unsuccessful. If anyone does locate it, please post.