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basil poledorius

This time on FrameTrax, his name may be hard to pronounce but his music is timeless.  From Conan, to Robocop, to Free Willy, Basil’s epic themes have played against some of the most iconic moments in cinematic history.

Basil Poledouris was an American composer, conductor, and orchestrator of film and television scores, best known for his long-running collaborations with directors John Milius and Paul Verhoeven.

Poledouris composed music for over 70 films and TV shows, ranging from epic fantasy to sci-fi to drama. He was known for his powerful and thematic orchestral style, often incorporating ethnic instruments and choir. Some of his most famous works include Conan the Barbarian (1982), RoboCop (1987), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Free Willy (1993), Starship Troopers (1997), and Les Misérables (1998). He also won an Emmy Award for his score for the miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989), and received four BMI Film Music Awards.

Poledouris had a studio in Venice, California, called “Blowtorch Flats”, where he recorded and mixed his music. He married his wife Bobbie in 1969, and they had two daughters, Zoë and Alexis. His elder daughter, Zoë Poledouris, is also an actress and film composer, who occasionally collaborated with her father. Poledouris died on November 8, 2006, at the age of 61, after a battle with cancer.

Basil was a composer who left a lasting legacy in the film-music industry. His scores are still widely admired and enjoyed by fans and filmmakers alike. He created memorable themes and emotions that enhanced the stories and characters on screen. He was a master of his craft and a passionate artist who loved music and movies.