Is Marion's Theme Not A Love Theme? 

Thank you, I always appreciate your feedback! Honestly, I don’t know that much music theory. When I do discuss it it’s minimal and quoting others, like Dr. Audissino and Brad Frey in this video. The storytelling is just the best way to do it, I think. It’s all about how the music supporting the story.

It seems to be both. It definitely feminizes her more and shows Indy's perspective while also telling the story.

Of course, it's always been titled "Marion's Theme" and Williams has directly stated he wanted to write a theme for her. But as Dr. Audissino points out in his book that's only part of the function of the theme in the story.

I'm glad it was worth the wait! There's definitely room for more Indiana Jones!

Thanks! What stood out to you the most in this?

@@FilmScoreandMore the ways in which you clearly articulate how Williams’s work almost acts as a full on conversation is something I’ve never really seen in such a concise yet informational format. Keep up the great work

@@stryflon1433 I'm glad it comes off that way. They say music has a question and answer format, so I think the same thing works well in an analysis video. I ask "Why does it sound like this, why is it a leitmotif but not for her?" and then I provide those answers (with examples). I think that's the way to go.

I’m glad you found the video!

That makes sense. I wouldn’t have known any of this if I hadn’t heard John Williams’ interpretation. It helps to take a step back from the plot you already know and reconsider what the filmmakers thought.

I’m glad, I know that feeling too! Good luck with your assignment, I hope it goes well.

@FilmScoreandMore Thanks, friend!

Thank you, this one was tough! It’s full of contradictions, so I had to make sure each point got its time and was made clear before contradicting it. And the ending had to be “Is it love? It is, but it’s not satisfying. But they do get together, but then they don’t, but then they do.”

Thanks, welcome aboard! What else do you want to see?

Thank you, this one took a lot of work.

Thanks for the feedback, this is always really valuable! I understand the storytelling better than music theory, so I don’t get too technical and always make sure to name sources for those areas. Let me know what you think of my other videos!

You’re welcome, glad to see you here!

Thank you, I appreciate that you checked it out. I knew enough people compare and confuse these themes that I needed to address it.

I’m glad you liked it! Which part do you think is the best?

i like the part when you tried to anylize the emotions @@FilmScoreandMore

Thank you! Have you seen my video the Indiana Jones Theme?

I'll definitely watch it now, I love this type of content! @@FilmScoreandMore

@josuecastillo1260 Let me know what you think then!

Thanks! What did you find the most interesting?

@@FilmScoreandMore Definitely how 'Marion's theme' is used in such a contradictory way. I had never though of that before. It seems like theme doesn't actually represent Marion at all but instead represents the idea of Marion from Indy's perspective.

Exactly. And that never clicked with me until I started reading about it from Brad Frey and Dr. Audissino.

I’m glad to finally see you here! What stood out to you most in this one?

@@FilmScoreandMore​​ I definitely agree that Marion’s Theme is more of a love theme and I’ve always felt that way when watching Raiders. It‘s notably similar to Han Solo and the Princess, which was composed around the same time and John Williams likely intended for them to emanate similar emotion. You rightfully point out it’s only used in scenes about Indy *and* Marion’s relationship, and not just for her character alone. This contrasts to Princess Leia’s Theme, which is mostly used for her character, as the title would suggest. I’ve always felt that Leia’s theme is incredibly innocent and sanguine, which I don’t think would be the same for Marion if she truly got her own theme (dedicated to her character and not just her relationship with Indy). I imagine it would be a more troubled version of Leia’s theme, with less optimism, but John Williams likely would’ve kept them sounding similar. Though, Marion has her tough persona as a bartender and that somewhat disappears when she’s taken out of that environment, so perhaps Marion’s Theme, while a love theme, is apt for her character. It has that doubt and sorrow which she evokes in the bar, mixed with the more lightheartedness found in Cairo. I watched Empire Strikes Back yesterday (what a coincidence) and still get such a kick out of how Princess Leia’s Theme is expanded upon to create the love theme with Han. You can of course hear how Leia’s theme has matured, mirroring her character and how she opens up to Han’s advances. And to round off my comment, your edited teaching scene at 1:50 and abrupt cut to Han in carbonite at 2:15 both made me chuckle immensely. A superb film score analysis, once again, and if I was Indy, I’d tip my hat to you.

All very well said! Yes, you’re right that Leia’s Theme plays more specifically for her and develops with her, I hadn’t fully realized that.

@@FilmScoreandMore Apologies for the extra-long comment!

No apologies necessary, I think you put it very well!

I did some more work to it, I think it came out well.

I’ve heard good things about it.

Thank you! As an Indy fan what stood out to you the most? What did you learn, what did you like?

@@FilmScoreandMore First and foremost I'm also a huge John Williams fan. I own practically every score he's ever done. I loved how you analysis showed the different sides of Marion. Her playfulness, her pain, her sensuality and her complicated relationship with Indy. Even a little bit of mystery about her (at least at the time this movie was filmed). I've always loved the theme but I think its extra special now and not just something that "plays" when she's on screen.

I’m glad all that came across. That was my goal, to show it in this different light I’ve discovered upon research. What are some of your other favorite Williams scores? I’m a big fan of Catch Me If You Can, I did a whole analysis video for the movie. It really stands out among other scores.

@@FilmScoreandMore That's a good one! Very underrated imo. I love all of the well known favorites of course (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Superman, Harry Potter, ET, Close Encounters etc...) but some of my not so well known favorites would be The Cowboys (John Wayne), SpaceCamp (Kate Capshaw) and two Presidential films, JFK (Kevin Costner) and Nixon (Anthony Hopkins).

I haven’t seen any of those, thanks for the recommendation.

Right, he was laying the template. Things changed.

You’re in the right place! What stands out to you the most in this video? Have you seen any of my others?

@@FilmScoreandMore Of course, I got your video analysis of the Indy theme in my recommendations. I am a self-taught composer with a dream to one day start writing music for films, and videos of this genre on RU-vid (by various authors) have greatly contributed to my understanding of sheet music, reading scores, using motifs and so on. So I'm not surprised that your video got into my recommendations. What did I like in your video? I like that you ask the right questions about the meaning of this or that theme and give a logical answer that you can agree with. I also like that you thoroughly familiarized yourself with the material.

@@FilmScoreandMore Marion's theme is great and when I started it twice in the new movie about Indy, when he was talking about what happened to his relationship because of Mutt's death, and in the final scene, it broke my heart. This is a very beautiful motif in itself and Williams used it correctly in the new film

That’s great to hear, I appreciate it. Do you also watch Ryan Leach’s channel? If you don’t you absolutely should as a self-taught composer.

Williams absolutely knows what he’s doing with his music. I like that the theme stays consistent and doesn’t simply announce “Marion’s here.” It has more purpose.

No more?

@@FilmScoreandMore hahaha I wasn’t expecting a reply!

I always reply to comments. It’s good to keep things going, and I don’t get too many that it’s not manageable.

Thank you, I know this took a lot longer than expected; exactly forty days according to RU-vid. The Ark Theme could absolutely warrant a video, and once again there's plenty about it in Audissino's book. I just haven't written a script for a video yet.

@@FilmScoreandMore Either way this was definitely a great video and I look forward to future vids whatever their topic is

Much appreciated! That’s great to hear. Have you seen any of my non-Indy videos?

@@FilmScoreandMore Yes I also loved your video about the music of Catch Me If You Can

I’m glad. That one took a lot of time and work and just did okay, so it’s great that my recent Indy video gave it a push and brought more attention to it.

I don’t know if that’s canon exactly, but it’s a fun thought. He’d have to have quite the imagination.

@FilmScoreandMore if you spot the SW Easter Eggs in the Jones movies it makes sense it's all in Solos dream .

There are a couple sources. Brad Frey’s reduction and analysis on the boat scene is linked in the description. There are other channels like David McCaulley and Music Score Exchange that do the same thing. When I make these I always have to know exactly how much of the music I’m using and mock it up, then screen record it. Sometimes it’s just part of a flute solo, sometimes it’s the whole string section, and sometimes like the very first one in this video I simplify and combine staves into one. I can tell you a little more if you send me an email through my channel page.

That’s a great love theme, too. John Powell’s score is excellent. It really blends in well with other Williams scores while staying unique.

I need to see that one again. Great main theme.