Rambo III (soundtrack)
| Industry | Music recording |
|---|---|
| Products | Soundtrack albums |
Rambo III, released in 1988, is an action film directed by Peter MacDonald. It represents the third entry in the Rambo series, featuring Sylvester Stallone once again as John Rambo, a veteran of the Vietnam War. The musical score was crafted by Jerry Goldsmith, who continued his involvement with the franchise's soundtracks. Initially, an album containing selected pieces from the score was issued by Scotti Brothers Records, followed by a comprehensive edition of the full score released by Intrada Records in 1989.
Release history
The 1988 album released through Scotti Brothers Records included only a limited selection of cues from Goldsmith's composition, incorporating some reused material from previous films. On May 25, 1989, Intrada Records issued the entire 75-minute score. Since then, Intrada has remastered this full score twice—once in 2005 and again in 2018—improving both its sound fidelity and accessibility for enthusiasts and collectors.
Critical reception
Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks described Rambo III as a "high-quality action score," commending its introduction of fresh themes that effectively complement the original motifs, resulting in an engaging auditory experience. Jonathan Broxton from Movie Music UK regarded it as Jerry Goldsmith’s most nuanced Rambo soundtrack, skillfully combining dynamic action sequences with introspective and emotionally resonant moments. Jason Ankeny at AllMusic emphasized the score’s military-inspired rhythms and orchestration, noting that the infrequent quieter passages—particularly the opening track "Another Time"—offer a profound glimpse into the protagonist’s character beyond the film’s intense visuals.
Personnel
- Composer, producer, and conductor: Jerry Goldsmith
- Orchestra: Hungarian State Opera Orchestra
- Orchestrators: Arthur Morton, Nancy Beach
- Recording and mixing engineer: Mike Ross
- Mastering engineer: Bernie Grundman
Accolades
| Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMI Film & TV Awards | Film Music Award | Jerry Goldsmith | Template:Won |