Released in 1978, STARCRASH, originally called THE ADVENTURES OF STELLA
STAR, is an Italian knockoff of STAR WARS, lovingly produced with a fraction
of the budget or resources necessary to be convincing. But what the film
lacks in production value, it more than compensates with warmth and charm,
due in part to its casting and to the presence of John Barry's music.
STARCRASH tells the story of Stella Star and Akton, notorious galactic
smugglers employed by the Emperor of the Galaxy to track down the location
of Count Zarth Arn, who is developing a dangerous weapon that threatens the
entire galaxy! Working alongside Thor, Chief of the Imperial Police and his
android sidekick, the six-gun packing Police Robot Elle, the quartet scour
the corners of the Haunted Stars, encountering Amazons on horseback, android
gladiators, prehistoric Trogs and a giant metal Guardian straight out of a
Ray Harryhausen film. For the music, the producers turned to composer John
Barry, then world-renown because of his work on the James Bond films.
STARCRASH represents an early foray for the composer into the realm of
science fiction and he would soon return again when he worked in 1979 on THE
BLACK HOLE, Disney's attempt to compete with rival studios in the wake of
STAR WARS and MOONRAKER, that year's entry in the James Bond series, which
featured many science fiction elements.
1. STARCRASH Main Title (2:36)
2. Escape Into Hyperspace (1:49)
3. Captured (2:09)
4. Launch Adrift (1:42)
5. Beach Landing (2:09)
6. The Ice Planet/ Heading For Zarkon (3:03)
7. The Emperor's Speech (3:17)
8. Strange Planet/ The Troggs Attack (2:37)
9. Akton Battles The Robots (2:16)
10. Network Ball Attack (1:00)
11. Space War (4:37)
12. Goodbye Akton (3:31)
13. STARCRASH End Title (2:53)
BONUS TRACK
14. STARCRASH Suite (7:14)
Total Time: (41:24)
