Empire of the Ants [Original Film Soundtrack] (1977)
Composed & Conducted by Dana Kaproff
Tracklisting:
1. [00:00] Main Title / Radioactive Waste
2. [03:16] Welcome to Dreamland Shores
3. [04:09] Ants in the Plants
4. [06:43] Buffet and Tour
5. [07:58] The First Attack
6. [09:01] Dead Foreman
7. [10:08] Big Ants on the Boat
8. [12:11] Ants in the House
9. [15:17] Old Couple Get Antsy
10. [15:31] Old Ant River
11. [16:58] Antisocial
12. [18:56] Ant & Uncle / Cops on the Case
13. [21:55] The Tricycle
14. [22:13] No Escape
15. [24:34] The Refinery / Sugar, Sugar
16. [26:41] The Queen and I
17. [28:51] You Will Obey / Flaming Queen
18. [33:05] Final Escape
19. [34:53] Freedom / End Titles
20. [38:14] Ballad for an Ant
21. [41:46] Ants Dance
22. [43:06] Cool Ants
Directed by Bert I. Gordon (1922-2023), this cheaply made (but fun) American science-fiction horror film stars English actress Joan Collins, film and television actress Pamela Susan Shoop (known to horror fans for her role as Nurse Karen Bailey in Halloween II, 1981), character actor Albert Salmi (1928-1990), Jacqueline Scott (1931-2020), John David Carson (1952-2009), stage, film, and television actor Robert Lansing (1928-1994), and Tom Fadden (1895-1980). American filmmaker and visual effects artist Bert I. Gordon became notorious for his ultra-cheap atomic mutant/giant insect films such as 'The Cyclops (1957), 'The Amazing Colossal Man (1957), 'Earth vs the Spider (1958), and 'Village of the Giants (1965). 'Empire of the Ants is the third and final instalment in AIP's (American International Pictures) H.G. Wells film cycle, which included 'The Food of the Gods (1976) and 'The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977).
Disreputable real estate developer Marilyn Fryser (Joan Collins) lures investors to a new development; a secluded island getaway called Dreamland Shores. Shortly after their arrival however, it's discovered that thousands of ants have been feeding on atomic waste, causing them to grow into large, voracious monsters. Mayhem ensues as the survivors attempt to flee, making it to a small island town. But their safety is short-lived when they make a frightening discovery...
For the score, Bert I. Gordon hired the young composer Dana Kaproff, who deserves a good deal of credit for the film's suspense level. This was Kaproff's first film score, and its relentlessly suspenseful and very effective, using repeated hammering notes on the piano, along with mysterioso string writing, and, as with the film, a sense of real spirit and fun. Kaproff, an American film composer and lyricist, began his career apprenticing with such Hollywood giants as Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004), Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004), and John Barry (1933-2011), and would go on to become a prolific film composer, songwriter, and record producer, scoring music for over a hundred films, television series, mini-series, and documentaries. His film credits include 'When a Stranger Calls (1979), 'Pandemonium (1982), 'The People Across the Lake (1988), 'Terror in the Night (1994), 'The Amityville Murders (2018), and Buried In Burma (2020) whilst his television work includes 'Once an Eagle (1976), 'The Amazing Spider-Man (1978), and 'Cagney and Lacey (1982-1988) among others.
This video is for promotional use only. I do not own the rights to the music. All rights belong to the artist / band.