MovieChat Forums > Knight of Cups (2016) Discussion > On a Second Viewing

On a Second Viewing

posted 9 years ago by rnmackenzie
5 replies | jump to latest

On my second viewing of the film, there were two things I especially noticed and was able to appreciate more: a) the music by Hanan Townshend, especially a theme that has kind of a bolero feel to it--really pretty and evocative. I see he did the music for other Malick films, but this score seemed really outstanding to me.

And secondly, since I had the sense to watch the entire closing credits this time, I learned that b) during the aquarium sequence, the voiceover ("The soul once had wings") is Charles Laughton, reading from Plato's Phaedrus. This has to be one of the more obscure finds on Malick's part . . . But wow, what a beautiful reading voice! I had no idea Laughton had ever recorded anything like that.

A film like this has so many things going on in it that some only come into focus on repeated viewings. Did anybody else have any similar experiences after seeing it again?

[–] wearyourlove 9 years ago

Townshend's score is indeed lovely, but I'm not sure if the piece you're referring to is his. The most prominent theme in the movie is "Exodus" by Wojciech Kilar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQbInyX3vm8.

[–] rnmackenzie 9 years ago

Oh yes, you're right! That's the one. Thank you! I hadn't paid much attention to Kilar, but I will start now. I see he did the music for Polanski's "Ninth Gate," and I do remember that score being perfect for its use in the film.

[–] patrick_bateman_90029 9 years ago

Also "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and "The Portrait of a Lady", two of the best scores ever composed.

[–] hotspurpagg 9 years ago

Yes, Kilar's "Exodus" is used throughout, including the end titles. It's a piece I first heard used in 1993 as the trailer music for "Schindler's List." Kilar was one of the great classical composers of our time. He sadly passed away not too long ago.

As usual with Malick there are several excellent classical pieces used throughout, including Grieg and Vaughan Williams. Also a very cool EDM track used in the strip club scene. (I think by Burial.)

[–] DaveBowman2001 8 years ago

Good observation. I loved everything about that movie, but wasn't aware of the connection.