MovieChat Forums > Topaz (1969) Discussion > Henry Mancini should have scored this fi...

Henry Mancini should have scored this film

posted 13 years ago by rsgre
3 replies | jump to latest

I already mentioned my reservations concerning Maurice Jarre's score for this film, very unispired and repetitive. Hitchcok originally chose Henry Mancini to score his next film "Frenzy", but rejected the score after hearing it. Too bad Mancini was chosen one film too late. This film took place in the early 60's and Henry Mancini was in top form at that time, portraying the films of that era with just the right touch. This film needed a lot of help and Mancini might have been just the right man to do it ! Oh well...another chance missed !

RSGRE

[–] FANatic-10 11 years ago

I do like some of Maurice Jarre's scores very much, but he did seem off on this one, with some of the music even seeming quite inappropriate for the specific scenes. I'm thinking especially of the scene toward the end where Devereaux and his daughter are going up the stairs to Phillipe Noiret's room, fearing what has become of her husband, and the music is quite upbeat and jaunty, as if it was for a comedy.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 11 years ago

So sad . . . the might-have-beens . . . but, yes, Mancini might have salvaged a great deal . . .

[–] rsgre 10 years ago

Back to my post after a while. Just did a listening retrospective of Henry Mancini's early 60's music via my old records and cassette tapes. Now more than ever I feel I am right. He captured the early 60's feel perfectly with his music, and the French atmosphere as well in films like "Charade" & "The Pink Panther".
A wonderful apportunity was missed...what a shame !

RSGRE