Ennio Morricone's 10 Greatest Film Soundtracks
4. Days Of Heaven
Next up is a more pivotal American production; one that defined the decade it was made in and conveyed Ennio Morricone's talents from that perspective for the first time.
Days of Heaven is a tragic love story in which Bill and Abby, runaways in 1916, go to work on a farm in a bid to create a better life for themselves, only to run afoul of the law. Much of the film's high praise came from its ambitious cinematography, which was singled out at the time. Though one shouldn't discount the effect of the music which contributed to the more heartfelt aspects of the release.
Morricone's work here ties in closely with the setting and context, rural America in the 1910s, though this was only a starting point. Across three main themes - one main, one pastoral and one love themed - the soundtrack for Days of Heaven serves both the story and characters.
It went on to earn Morricone his first Academy Award nomination, as well as scooping a BAFTA shortly after the film's release. The composer said director Terrence Malick was very particular about the music, wanting some specific melodies to go alongside the on-screen action. Luckily the partnership between the two proved successful.