This soundtrack accompanies one of the most popular films in Japan… Antarctica. The story itself will quench the hearts of animal lovers but it is a true tale none of the less. It takes us to Antarctica during the 1957 Japanese Antarctic Expeditions and a team of sled dogs who were stranded on the continent for a year. This is the story of survival, courage, the return to nature and... good music.

[1] THEME FROM ANTARCTICA
This one is very familiar amongst Vangelis fans for its combination of Oriental sounds and his pure electronic approach. He paints into someone's mind (like what he will do in the rest of the album) the beauty and splendor of Antarctica. The first three minutes are familiar because it is the excerpt used in Themes and in Portraits. The rest of the song revolves around the same theme but changes in key and sometimes in melody variation.

[2] ANTARCTICA ECHOES
When listening to this, one gets the impression of Antarctica being delicate, fragile and angelic (Of course, we all know that it isn't entirely true). One could almost see the aurora australis (southern lights) dancing in the winter skies (a fact learned from the movie about the darkness of the Antarctic winter and the only light that appears is the southern lights). It could also be compared to the Walt Disney Fantasia interpretation of Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker Suite.

[3] KINEMATIC
This was played during the scenes of the dogs running off or exercising. One can compare this song to his Oriental sounding ones, namely China. It really makes you want to run and hold on to life because of the underlying harmony (which is a fast-paced tremolo). It is one of the songs that accompanies well with the brilliant cinematography in the movie.

[4] SONG OF WHITE
Even though this wasn't used (I don't think), I can imagine its using. The first half of the track has a Japanese sound which is very meditative and relaxing. One can sit down near a Tori gate (a kind of "signpost" marking a place of serenity and looks like the Greek letter, pi) and just think. It is very soothing and quiet. Then, it returns back to the main theme, which could mean the place that was a part of one's life.

[5] LIFE OF ANTARCTICA
When this was played, you see the dogs hunting the birds on the coast of Antarctica trying to survive. Actually, what came to me is that this song is perfect for a nature documentary. After seeing its use on the screen, my idea was not only good but actually put use. (Of course, Vangelis has a history of accompaning nature's beauty). This is actually a favorite of mine because of the harpischord underlying the melody, the timpani sound and the similiarity to Soil Festivities.

[6] MEMORY OF ANTARCTICA
To me, this is like a China outtake. It is very serene and calm. You could almost walk through the icy deserts of Antarctica with the thought and reaction that you would have when you take a walk through a beautiful garden or a spring day. (Of course, you have to take your mind off of the minus 200 degree weather and the heavy winds that blow continuously!). It heightens yourself and makes you feel like snow (figuratively!).

[7] OTHER SIDE OF ANTARCTICA
This was used in the beginning of Antarctica. The main title shots were portraying the Antarctic coastline with towering cliffs, the wind shaping the cliffs and tearing them apart, ice falling into the water and the colors that you could see were yellow (the sun), white (snow and clouds) and blue (ocean and sky). It coordinated with the shots and idea very well, that Antarctica is beautiful and deadly at the same time. Of course, they didn't use the whole thing.

[8] DELIVERANCE
I always imagine this played when someone was rescued or when someone is being halted away from disaster into safety. After watching the movie, my response was "Damn, I'm tired of being right!" The theme is light-headed, victorous and reliving... especially when you have a situation when a bunch of dogs tried to survive the harshness and the brutual nature of the last great unexplored continent... a place called Antarctica.