In an announcement that surprised and thrilled fans of movie music, director Quentin Tarantino has announced that his forthcoming film The Hateful Eight will be scored by legendary composer Ennio Morricone.
Not only will that make The Hateful Eight the first film by the Pulp Fiction director to feature an original score, it will mark Morricone's first music for a Western movie in over 40 years.
The Italian composer, 86, rose to fame in the 1960s as the quintessential composer of music in the "spaghetti Western" genre, which married the sweeping vision of Italian directors such as Sergio Leone with the larger-than-life setting of the American West. Morricone's epic music for films like Once Upon a Time in the West and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly helped to lift the Western genre from pulpy romp to high art.
Morricone has remained active and acclaimed for the past 40 years, although he's left behind—until now—the genre that he remains most closely associated with. He's been nominated for five Oscars, and in 2007 he was presented with an honorary Oscar—making him one of only two composers (the other being Alex North) to receive that honor.
The Hateful Eight, which stars Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, is scheduled to open in theaters on Dec. 25.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
