The Greatest Movie Score Of All Time

As long as movies are made, the argument “what is the greatest score in history?” will remain open. All because there are so many legendary soundtracks that inspired and deeply effected millions of people.

But few scores are as iconic as music from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966). Even if you’ve never seen the movie, you’ve most likely heard its soundtrack. It is so recognizable, astonishing, inspiring and beautiful. If I had to describe it with a single word – I’d call it legendary.

Is it the greatest movie score of all time? I mean there’s no shortage of other worthy contenders. Scores from Star Wars, Gladiator, The Godfather, Jaws, etc., are extremely well known and loved. It is a tough choice. But there are good reasons why this masterpiece by Ennio Morricone might very well be the true #1.

Candidates for “The Greatest” Title

When considering greatest movie scores of all time there are certain movies that can’t be left out. They are way too popular, influential and iconic. For example, John Williams’ Star Wars soundtrack. It is the definition of epic. Its main theme became one of the most recognizable tunes of all times. And let’s not forget that Mr. Williams also created unforgettable music for Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones.

Then there’s The Godfather by Nino Rota. That theme became synonymous with the whole era, and it’s hard to find a single person, who would not recognize it immediately. It’s a beautiful timeless score.

And if we are talking about greatness, how can we not mention Hans Zimmer. He has done numerous scores that earned him a place among the best ever. These are all his movies: Gladiator, The Lion King, The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, Dune series.

The list goes on and on. I could also mention the magnificent score for Blade Runner by Vangelis. I could add music from The Lord of the Rings film series composed by Howard Shore. And all the magical scores by Danny Elfman. They are all great, no doubt about it. Yest there’s something that sets the music created for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly apart.

Why “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly“?

So what puts Ennio Morricone’s score in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on a different level? First of all – it’s instantly recognizable. The moment you hear the iconic whistling, you know what it is. All the cowboys images and associations start flooding your mind right away. And that unique “wah-wah-wah” singing… Oh my, there’s nothing like it. The composer must be crazy talented, super imaginative, and brave to come up with those sounds. And Ennio Morricone is exactly that. The main theme has long become a cultural phenomena. It was used and parodied in countless movies, TV shows, commercials, etc.

But it’s not only about catchiness, after all – we have other scores with easily recognizable motifs. I think it’s about how essential Morricone’s music is to the movie. It is an indispensable part of the scenes, emotions, main heroes and villains. It is not just a subtle background sound. This score perfectly complements the story, the buildup, tension, drama, climax, and of course the main characters of the film. It is inseparable from the visuals. The movie director Sergio Leone had the score in his mind when he was creating the scenes, he already knew how it all will intertwine and mesh together.

Another reason it deserves to be considered the greatest score ever has to do with its innovative aspect. People hear this music and they love it, but few ever think how innovative it was for its time. Ennio Morricone did not follow the established traditional root for Western movie scores. Instead he chose to use instruments that were never used before. He dared to incorporate electric guitars, human voices, and even ocarina (quite an unusual instrument from Chinese and Mesoamerican cultures). It actually opened the doors for other composers in their own work and influenced the whole industry.

Here are some of the most famous tracks from that legendary movie score. The main theme:

A scene of Tuco running in search of buried treasure:

When you combine all these factors: instant recognizability, groundbreaking innovation, and key importance to the movie, the score of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly becomes untouchable for most. A beautiful masterpiece created by a genius. Two geniuses actually, because it took both Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone to make it into what it is.

Ennio Morricone’s Legacy

Ennio Morricone’s monumental influence on film music can not be understated. He has over 400 scores for cinema and television. That fact alone should tell you how great he was, because no one hires a bad composer time and time again.

Mr. Morricone had a unique ability to create extremely diverse, layered, and intriguing music. In some way he was more than just a composer. His music was telling a story on its own. It always brings emotional response, whether you are watching the film or just listening to it.

Also his approach of mixing classical orchestration with unconventional instruments really extended the boundaries of what a movie score could be. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a perfect example of this. You might not realize how many different instruments are involved, until you watch a live orchestra performing that piece. Take a look at this live concert:

He created his signature sound for multiple other movies. To name a few: Once Upon a Time in the West, The Thing, The Untouchables, The Mission, Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight.

Other famous composers openly admire his work. Just hear what one of the best artists of out time Hans Zimmer had to tell about Ennio:

“Ennio Morricone is the singular talent of the 20th century, as far as film music is concerned. There is nobody else. There are other styles. There’s John Williams, of course. There’s Erich Korngold. There’s Bernard Herrmann. There are a handful of great composers. But Ennio for me personally is so above everybody.”

Conclusion

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly score is more than just music. It’s even more that an iconic piece of film history. It is one of the crowning achievements of humanity’s genius and creativity. This unique composition of sounds and unforgettable melodies will forever be an inspiration for music and movie fans.