If anyone has a copy of Commando or Final Option on LP, please contact me (godfroy@gmail.com) with your asking price, as I've been unlucky enough not to find either for years!

godfroy, March 16, 2009; 7:38 PM

Track 1 on this LP:

http://www.moviegrooves.com/shop/groovysoundtracksvol2.htm

col, March 7, 2006; 9:50 PM

it's only available on vinyl, as far as I know.

There's a french pressing (titled COMMANDO) on Milan and a US pressing (titled THE FINAL OPTION) on Varese Sarabande.

Some sellers on www.gemm.com list new copies of the Varese release as "special order" items - maybe you should check them out?

hagen_3000, March 7, 2006; 10:28 PM

Thankyou all for your responses. I have managed now to obtain the main title music. No doubt ill be waiting till domesday for the soundtrack to be released in the uk.

royteague, March 8, 2006; 4:46 AM

Here's a little twist in the story of the score to Who Dares Wins.

Being a fan of Roy Budd I purchased the vinyl LP many years ago (fabulous theme and underscore but awful contributions by other composers/artists). When I had the facility I transferred the RB tracks to CD (reasonably clean) and subsequently (Mar 04) sold the LP for GBP 5.00 (incl. P&P) to someone who had tracked me through this site. I wonder if I charged its market value?

Anyhow, later in the year I was contacted by someone working at the BBC who had also tracked me through this site and asked if I still had it as they wanted to use the theme for a TV show then in production. I supplied a copy stressing the need for him to ensure that clearance was obtained. I have the email thread to support this.

And then ... nothing! Perhaps the show never materialised or perhaps it was a way for him to get a copy of this fabulous score.

Surely one of the labels must think it worthwhile to obtain a release on limited basis.

Mitch, March 8, 2006; 12:17 PM

the lp version was not that good when it came to the cliks and pops..i had mine transfered to CD and it's clean @best but it's still the vinyl craks & pops can be heard.

mrscore2@yahoo.com

mrscore2, March 11, 2006; 12:50 AM

MrScore2 - or anyone - do you still have this soundtrack in CD or digital format? I really need to get hold of it - if anyone has it and can maybe upload it here: http://www.mediafire.com/ then send me a link I'd really appreciate it.

Here's hoping in advance... harrisgregg@btinternet.com

harrisgregg, January 13, 2007; 8:17 AM

I Search for this, if anyone has it.. and wants a good price for it... then, please get in touch...

c0axial.l3, March 27, 2007; 2:54 PM

I actually own both original LPs.

The French "Commando" Milan version, as well as the U.S. released "The Final Option" one, by Varese Sarabande.

They are quite different, both in sound recording technique, as well as in tracks contents.

"Commando" has 14 tracks, while "Final Option" only has 13, although some are different from their French counterpart.
For instance, in "Commando" you get Jenny's Theme (not Roy Budd's composition, rather a Marc & Jerry Donahue one) in a 2m10s length version.

In "Final Option" the Theme is presented split into two distinct segments, one Part I, being 2m36s long, and Part II being 2m06s in length.

Also there are many length differences in common tracks, perhaps due to recording timing techniques, making "The Final Option" the "faster" version of the two, meaning that the length of tracks, appear shorter by a couple of seconds.

Others again, are completely different from each other, like these:

track: Hijack - Part I "Commando Album" length 2:19
"The Final Option Album" length 4:08

track: Catch or Be Caught "Commando" length 1:49
"Final Option" length 1:03

track: Reds Under the Beds "Commando" length 1:07
"Final Option" length 1:34

Also, completely missing from the "Final Option" album are the following two tracks:

Blues for the Best 3:47
Straight Ahead Blues 2:33

whether they are of value to the actual score is everybody's guess and is a matter of personal taste, although both are actual Roy Budd's compositions.

I have not as yet digitalized them, for lack of time, but should I do so, I will keep you posted.

The actual order of the tracks is in both albums, totally at random and they are not in sequence with the actual movie score.

Also, many themes, such as the "SAS theme" are differently cued (in and out) during various scenes throughout the movie, so it would be difficult to place a few seconds here, and a few seconds there on a CD.

Some of the compositions, especially the Jerry & Marc Donahue ones, formed a sort of "background"; music to various scenes.

The only two very prominently heard were: "American Medley" and "Right On Time".
"Welsh Mountains" was used very briefly through that scene.
The others were, as said, very much in the background.

I will try to find the time to "sequentially" transfer the tracks, following the order in the the actual movie, trying as much as possible to stick with the "momentum" and "rhythm" of it.

I will also try to find a way to transfer the material of the two LPs in such a way, as two have a "unified" sound. The French Album having a sharper sounding soundtrack, while "Final Option" has a more "rounded" quality to it.

I hope I could be of some help in clarifying such points.

See you all in this Forum, once the CD is ready and done.

At that time I will point out the order of tracks and their actual lengths.

Until then, my friends, be well and stay in touch...

jlpicard1701E, June 19, 2007; 9:43 AM

I just picked up a factory sealed Mint copy of "The Final Option" on Ebay.Only paid £7.60 for it.Well chuffed.When it arrives I will put down my views.Hopefully it will be crackle and pop free.I am hoping to digitize it straight away.I am a sound engineer too,so looking to possibly remaster it etc.Just for my own use,obviously.Will keep you all posted.
If anyone wants to contact me with regards to it do it thru:
ukstudioequip@aol.com
Cheers
C

ukstudioequip, October 1, 2007; 3:28 PM

I have the 8min 42sec suite that appeared on Wild Geese 2 and the vinyl copied on to mini disc.

phil_milsom, February 7, 2009; 3:14 PM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Final-Option-Original-Soundtrack-Who-dares-Wins_W0QQitemZ170472212806QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Records?hash=item27b0ef8946

ukstudioequip, April 12, 2010; 4:33 PM