The Cat O' Nine Tails [Il Gatto A Nove Code (1971)] - Soundtrack

Dario Argento's second film has often been dismissed as one of the writer-director's lesser efforts. Argento himself long considered it to be the worst of his films. However Argento's post-Opera critical and commercial missteps have opened the door for its reevaluation, with opinion of the film and its place in Argento's body of work becoming more favorable over time.

Although Argento and Ennio Morricone were well acquainted with each other on a personal level, neither really understood the other professionally when they first worked together on The Bird with the Crystal Plumage [L'uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo] (1970).

But when they re-teamed for The Cat O' Nine Tails [Il Gatto A Nove Code] Morricone had a much better understanding of what Argento liked and wanted in a film score and thus was able to deliver an impressive piece that was, in Morricone's own words, "bold, dissonant and traumatic."

With the one exception of the title theme, Ninna Nanna in Blu, Morricone eschews melody in favor of a five-note motif for bass guitar accompanied by drums. A motif that is colored and enhanced with strings, woodwinds, piano, tremolo, electronic guitar, and, of course, voices.

Ninna Nanna in Blu is used sparingly in the film, but only for moments that directly involve Lori (Cinzia De Carolis) or her influence. Which accounts for its sounding, again in Morricone's words, "simple [and] nearly childish."

While Morricone's score for The Bird with the Crystal Plumage might get more attention from critics and fans, what he composed for The Cat O' Nine Tails is every bit as good and deserving of an attentive listen.