Having previously written the scores for the Henri Vernueil-directed pictures “Guns For San Sebastián,” The Sicilian Clan,” and “Le Casse” (aka “The Burglars“), Ennio Morricone was once again enlisted by Verneuil, this time to compose the score for his new spy thriller, “Le Serpent.”
Side A of Morricone’s score for “Il Serpente” starts off weary and mournful, with a theme that would not be out of place in a romantic drama (at that inevitable point when the lovers part). As sad and wistful as things begin, they quickly turn jazzy and psychedelic, with grungy guitars, propulsive drums, and wailing electric keyboards. Then the Maestro slows things down again with strings, piano, and flute, another melancholy theme, veering on romantic. Heavy organs follow, furthering the “funeral music” vibe. A slower variation on the opening theme ends on a bittersweet note, before a traditional- sounding military march caps off the first half of the record.
Side B kicks off with high tension from a string arrangement that recalls some of Morricone’s giallo scores. Strange percussive sounds add to the uneasy feeling that might have the listener on edge as the strings become jagged razors.
With the next track, Morricoene blurs the line between score and sound design, providing more mood and atmosphere than melody and rhythm.
Taut, disorienting, and anxiety-inducing for the remainder of Side B, “Il Serpente” is not one of the Maestro’s most melodic compositions, but it very effectively creates the suspense and tension an international spy thriller requires.
Morricone would also go on to write the scores for Verneuil’s “Peur Sur La Ville” (aka “Fear Over The City“), starring Jean–Paul Belmondo (in one of his best action-star performances), and “I… For Icarus,” starring Yves Montand.
With an impressive international cast of headliners (Henry Fonda, Yul Brynner, Dirk Bogard, Philip Noiret, and Virna Lisi), “Le Serpent” (aka “Night Flight From Moscow“) tells the story of a Soviet diplomat (Brynner) plotting his defection to America by trading a list of alleged Soviet double agents. As Brynner is taken into Fonda’s custody in the US, the names on his list begin getting knocked off, one by one.
Links:
Listen to Morricone’s score for “Il Serpente” here:
Watch the trailer for “Le Serpent” here:
Watch the complete film for free here:
If you are in the Toronto area, say hi to my Filmography co-host Bjorn, and find “Le Serpent” (as “Night Flight From Moscow“) at Bay Street Video here:
http://www.baystreetvideo.com/title.php?page=1&title=Night+Flight+From+Moscow
Outside of the Toronto area, purchase the DVD on Amazon here:
