Introduction
Throughout his career Vangelis’ music has been used for dozens of television commercials worldwide. For several advertisements Vangelis composed original music, but when in 1993 car manufacturer Citroën introduced their legendary new model Xantia, they commissioned director Ridley Scott for their advertising campaign, and Vangelis to create a newly arranged version of the theme from “Chariots Of Fire” (1981).
Scott filmed the video for the iconic commercial in Lone Pine, California, showing the Xantia (derived from the Greek ‘Xantos’, meaning ‘Light’) driving through a mountainous landscape during a spectacular eclipse. The ad was broadcast in 30 to 60 second versions, not only in France but in several European countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and The Netherlands.
It was not the first time Ridley Scott used Vangelis’ music in a television commercial, in 1979 he produced “Share The Fantasy” for Chanel No. 5 where he used a re-edited version of ‘The Little Fete’ from Vangelis’ album “China” (1979). Of course Ridley Scott and Vangelis earlier worked together on the films “Blade Runner” (1982) and “1492 Conquest Of Paradise” (1992).
Details and credits
- Title: Citroën Xantia
- Year: 1993
- Country: Europe
- Directed by Ridley Scott.
- Music by Vangelis (‘Titles’ from “Chariots Of Fire”).
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