The Iron Giant (1999) is a modern classic, an animated film directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol) about a young boy who befriends a giant alien robot during the Sputnik era of the Cold War. Based on the 1968 book The Iron Man by poet Ted Hughes, the film is a marvel of heartfelt storytelling, with timeless themes of friendship, caring and self-determination.

The 2-LP package taps directly into the ethos of the film, with a pull tab opening the Giant’s die-cut eyes on the front jacket. Depending on which inner sleeve has been slotted in the first position directly behind the cover, the reveal is different. Open the eyes in normal or defense mode!

Creating the Iron Giant’s beautiful, sympathetic score was Michael Kamen—one of his last major scores and his first animated film, miles away from the action blockbusters for which he had become known, but much closer to his heart. Kamen’s gorgeous score is full of melody, humor and sensitivity, grandly performed by the Czech Philharmonic. It scales as big as the threat of nuclear annihilation, and as intimate as the goodness that connects nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes to the alien machine—who decides he would rather be “Superman” than a weapon.

Varèse Sarabande released Kamen’s The Iron Giant score as a 49-minute program in 1999. This Deluxe Edition fills two LPs, with a 64-minute score program plus 13 minutes of alternates, outtakes and rare demos—including a piano-and-guitar attempt at an unrealized song, “Souls Don’t Die,” based on Kamen’s theme, performed by Kamen and Eric Clapton. Tim Greiving’s new liner notes feature new interview material with director Brad Bird, music editor Christopher Brooks and orchestrator Blake Neely, going deep into Kamen’s working process and their adoration for the gifted, late composer.

Tracklist

1. The Eye Of The Storm
2. Hogarth Hughes
3. Creepy Music / Hogarth Investigates
4. Into The Forest
5. The Giant Wakes
6. Hogarth In Car / Sting For FBI Man: Suite
7. Come And Get It
8. Shut Off Switch / Rock Tree: Suite
9. Cat And Mouse
10. Train Wreck
11. Magic Rebuild / Hand Underfoot: Suite
12. Chew Your Food

1. Amerika
2. Great Ride
3. We Gotta Hide
4. His Name Is Dean
5. He Can Stay
6. Eating Art
7. Space Car
8. Souls Don't Die
9. Contest Of Wills
10. The Army Arrives
11. Annie And Dean
12. I'm Superman

1. He's A Weapon
2. Giant Discovered
3. Trance Former
4. No Following
5. The Last Giant Piece
6. End Credits: Suite
7. Bedtime Stories

1. Wild Tam-Tam
2. Chew Your Food Pickup
3. Duck And Cover
4. Early Demo #1
5. Early Demo #2
6. Souls Don’t Die