Released in 1982, The Secret of N.I.M.H. told the story of Mrs. Brisby, a mouse whose cement block home is in danger from humans. Leaving the home isn't an option - one of her children is deathly ill - so she must turn to a mystic society of rats. It's much better than it sounds, trust me. The first film from former Disney animator Don Bluth, and, arguably, his best feature, The Secret of N.I.M.H. comes from a simpler time; when animated films were more concerned with compelling stories than Happy Meal-ready characters and smarmy adult gags. The film is exciting, spellbinding and well-plotted and even the comic relief is smartly handled. The impressive voice cast included Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Peter Strauss, John Carradine and Dom DeLuise.

Also making a first-time foray into feature animation was Jerry Goldsmith (it's no coincidence that I'm starting 'pick a score' column on this, Goldsmith's birthday). I truly consider The Secret of N.I.M.H. to be one of the finest works of his career, and it is a genuine shame that it failed to earn an Oscar nomination (Poltergeist, which was nominated, is all right, but it has nothing on this).

The score gets off to an incredible start with the choral work of the Ambrosian Singers (who would later perform on The Mummy) lending an appropriately mystical feel to Nicodemus (Jacobi) recounting memories of heroic rat Jonathan Brisby. Haunting strings along with oboe, lead to the score's main theme, "Flying Dreams" (which appears twice in song form, performed by Sally Stevens and lyricist Paul Williams over the end credits).

"Allergic Reaction"/"Athletic Type" introduces two new themes: a minor motif of brooding cello for Dragon, the farmer's cat, as well as a playful melody for Jeremy the crow (DeLuise). Midway through the cue, the latter theme is freed from its primary woodwind orchestrations and given a soaring (almost ironically so) horn treatment. "The Tractor", meanwhile, is earmarked by racing strings, busy woodwinds and staccato horns.

"The Sentry Reel"/"The Story of N.I.M.H." and "Escape from N.I.M.H." ably reflect the mood of Mrs. Brisby (Hartman)'s discovery of the rats with their icy strings, winds, choir and horn work, ultimately introducing a new theme for the amulet, a noble melody on rising cello. As Jeremy meets Mrs. Brisby again while entangled in string, "In Disguise" builds on his theme with xylophone, strings and woodwinds.

"Step Inside My House" finds Mrs. Brisby talking with the Great Owl (Carradine). Staccato horn hits and low strings suggesting Poltergeist (with a quick, nervous horn reading of Jeremy's theme) give way to an almost tribal melody of drums, rising choir and trumpet. "No Thanks" is a brief cue that unites many the finest elements - horns, choir and a soaring take on "Flying Dreams" with quivering strings - before leading to racing strings and nervous horns.

"Moving Day" is quite a showstopping piece, as the rats attempt to move Mrs. Brisby's home while dealing with saboteurs. In addition to some fantastic action scoring on low-end piano and churning strings, a pair of motifs appear in the cue: one is a foreboding horn-based melody, while the other is a psuedo-march on strings.

"The House Raising", which sees the home sinking into the mud, sends the strings on a bender, chopping for all they're worth. However, Mrs. Brisby refuses to give up. Amulet in hand, she saves her home and family, to stirring choir and powerful horn and string playing, leading to an appropriately heroic take on "Flying Dreams".

"Flying High" reprises Jeremy's melody as he befriends another crow and the "End Credits" features another appearance of the amulet theme.

Released by Varese Sarabande, this score is a true masterpiece in Jerry Goldsmith's career. I do hope you agree.