"William Darby and Jack Dubois trace the development of the medium and offer analysis of scores from Birth of a Nation to Top Gun." "How does the score relate to onscreen activity? How does it follow or depart from tradition? How does it reflect the strengths and idiosyncrasies of its composer? These questions are considered at length, enhancing the discussion of each film's themes and motifs." "Chapters on individual composers and various periods round out this book."--BOOK JACKET.