The Ben Shapiro Show

Episode: Ben Shapiro: Guess The Movie Score | Part 2
Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro (with Matt Walsh and producers)

Episode Overview

In this lively and fast-paced episode, Ben Shapiro and his team play another round of "Name That Score," a game in which Ben’s knowledge of classic and modern film scores is put to the test. The episode is a mix of rapid-fire trivia, deep-cut film analysis, and humorous banter—while also showcasing Ben’s opinions on film music and cinema itself. Movie buffs and casual listeners alike will find entertainment in both the competitive atmosphere and the informative asides about movie composers and the legacy of certain scores.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Movie Score Trivia: Rapid-Fire Guessing

• The central segment consists of Ben’s staff playing snippets of famous movie scores. Ben tries to identify:

  • The film title
  • The composer
  • Sometimes, the specific scene or track

• Ben’s accuracy varies—from lightning-fast identification ("Magnificent Seven," "American in Paris") to more challenging stumps ("Fellowship of the Ring" vs. other LOTR films).

2. Composer Deep Dives and Movie Opinions

• Each correct answer cues a brief analysis—Ben often elaborates on the composer’s place in film history, shares recommendations, or critiques the movies themselves.
• Ben and Matt banter about films whose politics or mood Ben strongly dislikes but can still respect for their artistry.

3. Film Criticism: Politics and Messages

• When "The Graduate" comes up:
  • Ben launches into a critique of the movie’s message, contrasting it with other movies he enjoys but disagrees with politically.

4. Moments of Movie Fandom

• Ben glows about his favorite scores and sequences, sharing personal anecdotes ("My kids love [Robin Hood]. It’s great").

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On "American in Paris" and Gershwin

  “I’m Weinman’s Gershwin. All that music is Gershwin. And then they adapted the music. All right, great movie. If you’ve never watched it… Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful movie.”
  (Ben Shapiro, 03:02)

• On "Lord of the Rings"

  “You cannot pass.”
  (Ben Shapiro, channeling Gandalf after getting stumped, 03:36)
  "Composer Howard Shore." – Proudly identifying the composer despite missing the film
  (Ben Shapiro, 04:00)

• On "Mission Impossible" Theme History

  "The original composer? That’s the only one that matters... Because that theme is his. Like, you’re playing the Mission Impossible theme that comes from the TV show."
  (Ben Shapiro, 04:35)
  (Note: Original composer is Lalo Schifrin.)

• On "Magnificent Seven" and Elmer Bernstein

  “He’s definitely top three in terms of film scorers of all time. His To Kill a Mockingbird score is the one that’s like, just unbelievable.”
  (Ben Shapiro, 06:02)

• On "The Graduate"

  “Because it’s totally cynical about America. It hates capitalism, and it’s got this horrible undertone, that of nihilism and meaninglessness based on a spoiled brat asshole. Yeah, the entire morality of that movie is totally skewed and crappy.”
  (Ben Shapiro, 06:42)

• Political Disagreements vs. Appreciating Film

  “There are a bunch of movies that I think the politics suck, but the movie’s great. This happens not to be one of them. I think JFK is a great movie. It’s totally wrong on everything, but JFK is a great movie.”
  (Ben Shapiro, 07:23)

• On Max Steiner (Composer of "Gone With the Wind")

  “You want to talk generational run in terms of composing. Max Steiner, my gosh. He did Casablanca. He did Gone with the Wind. You want a truly terrific score from this period... Adventures of Robin Hood, with the original, with Errol Flynn... and the score is terrific. It’s Korngold, Erich Korngold.”
  (Ben Shapiro, 08:46–09:20)

• Playful Banter About Movie Preferences

  “That movie moves like lightning.”
  (Ben Shapiro, on Robin Hood, joking about a friend who fell asleep during it, 11:16)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:34] – Start of the “Name That Score” segment: Ben’s love for movie scores and American in Paris.
• [03:14-03:44] – Lord of the Rings cues; Ben and Matt joke about obscure soundtrack choices.
• [04:22] – Mission Impossible: Ben discusses the importance of the theme and its TV origins.
• [05:24] – “Oppenheimer”: Contemporary film score discussion and composer shoutout (Ludwig Göransson).
• [05:58] – “Magnificent Seven” and Elmer Bernstein praise.
• [06:39-07:23] – “The Graduate” critique; discussion of political disagreement vs. appreciation.
• [08:45] – Max Steiner and deeper film music history; Erich Korngold's "Adventures of Robin Hood".
• [09:35] – "Jurassic Park" and John Williams.
• [10:04-10:35] – “Indiana Jones” action cues; highlights memorable score moments from the series.
• [11:04-11:38] – “Adventures of Robin Hood” and nostalgia; more film music recommendations.
• [11:38] – Ben invites listeners to submit scores to stump him in the future.

Tone & Style

• Fast-paced banter: Frequent rapid exchanges between Ben and Matt, especially when Ben is unsure or when they’re ribbing each other about missed answers.
• Intellectual but playful: Ben’s deep film knowledge is paired with humor and occasional self-deprecation.
• Opinionated: Unfiltered thoughts on both movies’ artistry and the messages behind them; classic Ben Shapiro candor.

Summary Takeaways

• This episode is a treat for both movie music aficionados and fans of Ben Shapiro’s sharp commentary.
• Ben demonstrates encyclopedic recall (and strong opinions) on classic film scores and composers, while Matt Walsh provides a sparring partner for movie trivia and banter.
• The segment celebrates both cinematic art and the generational influence of Hollywood’s greatest composers, leaving the door open for listeners to join in with their own score suggestions.