This week on Film Score Friday we listen to the score from Once Upon a Time in the West. Ennio Morricone wrote the score for this 1968 western. This film's score is often remembered for the amount of harmonica and ostinato. There's some overlooked Brass success here. In particular, Morricone uses unison Trumpets in the third act of the film to great effect. He also creates some wonderful Horn solos as well.
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This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from The Untouchables. Ennio Morricone wrote the score for this 1987 film. The score contains some of Morricone's unique approach and it benefits. There are some portions of the film where the film's tone doesn't match that of the music. We'll blame that on the director since Morricone is so awesome. One of the highlights of the film comes when the main characters get their first real victory. Morricone begins the scene with a Tuba solo that builds to triumphant sounds from the full brass section. The score is not without problems though. At times it does get cheesy. On balance though, it is one well worth a listen.
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This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Ennio Morricone wrote the score for this 1966 western. This film was part of the Spaghetti Western period. Morricone wrote an amazing score that is now iconic in the genre. If this is your first time with this score, you will feel like recognize it. This is because it influenced so many later works.
The composer broke ground on a number of levels with the themes he used. In other parts though, he used traditional themes to set the stage. Part of this comes when the civil war background of the film is brought to the forefront. Morricone makes this transition remarkably well. The score also makes great use of the solo trumpet style so popular during this period with westerns.
Is this score good, bad, or ugly? Let us know in the comments.
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