Masterful composer Ennio Morricone, who has over 500 movie scores to his name, is the focus of a new, traditional documentary. Using a straightforward layout, the film interlaces chronological archival footage and candid interviews with Morricone and his colleagues, including Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Springsteen, and Oliver Stone. At the heart of this documentary, however, is the overwhelming power of Morricone’s music encapsulating his extraordinary journey.
The term 'spaghetti western' might conjure up the image of Clint Eastwood's iconic character, the man with no name. The proverbial character wouldn’t be complete without the chilling, unforgettable whistle motif created by Morricone, a sound that forever revolutionized the essence of cowboy films. Morricone, with an inherent playfulness, recalls the moment he told a friend about needing “a little whistle” for Eastwood's character theme, a whistle that would turn out to be monumental in the run of cinematic history.
Contrary to the current reality, Morricone envisioned a future in medicine, not music. Growing up, his trumpeter father sent him to music school during the backdrop of World War II, a tumultuous period that Morricone barely hints at in the documentary. As his father succumbed to illness, the young Morricone found himself having to support his family, reluctantly filling in for his father's musical gigs, thus beginning his unintentional induction into the world of composing. Like a free spirit, Morricone ventured off the beaten track, not adhering to traditional composing rules, but rather, he claims, enriching and making them flourish in a distinctly modernist style.
Morricone, well-known for his transformational musical contributions for pop artists, sought to transcend the conventional style of backing vocals with instruments by trying to create something that surpassed the song itself. His compositions were more than just supportive elements; they conversed with, and contested, the song, adding substance and intricacies. This approach catapulted his success, leading him to work with big names like Paul Anka and Chet Baker. Even while breaking boundaries, Morricone refrained from using trumpets in his compositions due to a personal commitment to his incapacitated father, who was unable to take on professional gigs.
Morricone’s exceptional journey took a turn when spaghetti western director Sergio Leone, an old elementary school classmate, approached him. This appeared to be a match made in heaven as they worked together to create unique “operatic” scores for films. Eastwood particularly appreciated the unique elements of Morricone’s score, including a whipcrack, an anvil, and an iconic whistle.
With time, Morricone began to be offered jobs that traditionally went to his former music teachers, who he perceived as "archaic." He found himself working with young directors who gave him free rein to experiment. His fearless exploration of compositions included vocals, choirs, and even sounds like coyote howling.
Morricone’s indelible impact on the culture at large is highlighted through multiple uses of his melodies by pop stars and heavy metal pioneers Metallica. Finally landing a competitive Oscar in 2016 for “The Hateful Eight,” after five nominations and an honorary Oscar in 2007, Morricone's work has gained international recognition. Yet, for Morricone, the ultimate joy lies in seeing his work performed live in concert, a testament to the standalone significance of his music beyond the confines of the silver screen.
