Fräulein Doktor [Original Film Soundtrack] (1969)

Fräulein Doktor [Original Film Soundtrack] (1969) Composed by Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) Tracklisting: 1. [00:00] Opening Titles 2. [02:27] Disembarking from the Submarine 3. [03:28] Fräulein Doktor on Board the Ship 4. [04:10] Fräulein Doktor at the Hotel 5. [06:30] The Watchmaker 6. [08:24] The Sinking of the Hampshire 7. [10:43] Fräulein Doktor and Dr. Saforet 8. [13:02] Lesbian Love Scene 9. [15:40] Berlin - At the Restaurant 10. [17:17] Champagne and Morphine 11. [18:42] Reception at the Embassy 12. [20:22] The Safe and the Map 13. [21:27] Ruppert Escape 14. [23:28] The Poison Gas Battle at Ypres 15. [32:07] Fräulein Doktor Insanity and End Titles Directed by Alberto Lattuada (1914-2005), this rarely seen Italian / Yugoslavian co-production espionage drama film (filmed in English) features a superb cast which includes Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini, Italian actress Silvia Monti, British actress Suzy Kendall, Canadian actor Alexander Knox (1907-1995), French actress Capucine (1928-1990), Hungarian film, stage, and television actor György Nagyajtay (1909-1993), English film, stage and television actor James Booth (1927-2005), American actor James Mishler (1923-2003), English film and stage actor Kenneth More (1914-1982), Yugoslav actor Milivoje Popovic-Mavid (1909-1994), English character actor Nigel Green (1924-1972), and British film, stage, and television actor Ralph Nossek (1923-2011). Also known as 'Angel of Death and 'The Betrayal, the film is loosely inspired by the exploits of Elsbeth Schragmüller (1887-1940), a German university professor-turned-spy during the First World War. Suzy Kendall, who appeared in several films and television shows throughout the 1960's and 1970's, gives a solid performance as Fräulein Doktor, the seductive espionage expert who uses her intellect, sexuality, and wit to uncover military secrets on behalf of the Germans. Hot on her trail is British intelligence officer Colonel Foreman (Kenneth More) and Meyer (James Booth) as the traitorous German spy. Director Lattuada spins out a dazzling cat-and-mouse thriller of spying and counter-spying, with the whole bygone era splashed across the screen in striking colour, costumes and settings. What makes this film a cut above others from the era is a first-rate cast, a plot that handles the espionage elements with intelligence, and a hauntingly realistic final sequence filmed with hundreds of extras provided by the Yugoslavian army, whose men and equipment were frequently used in European productions of the era. Largely forgotten today, 'Fräulein Doktor deserves a better fate than obscurity. The film benefits greatly from Ennio Morricone's fantastic soundtrack. The composer had previously worked with Lattuada on his film 'Matchless (1967), and as always, works wonders with his music. Morricone's score falls mainly into two styles: beautiful, classical, elegant romance scoring that relates to the Fräulein Doktor herself, and dissonant, overwhelming music to illustrate the horrors of war. The theme most listeners will be drawn to is the Fräulein Doktor theme, which first appears in 'Fräulein Doktor on Board the Ship, and then re-stated more fully on 'Fräulein Doktor at the Hotel, 'Champagne and Morphine, and others. This is truly one of Morricone's most beautiful themes, in which strings, piano and harpsichord combine in the most gorgeous of ways, and perfectly fits the complex and troubled personality of the Fräulein Doktor. The tracks 'Fräulein Doktor and Dr. Saforet and 'Lesbian Love Scene underscore the controversial moment when the Fräulein seduces a female chemist (played by Capucine) so she can obtain a secret formula from her on behalf of the Germans; after some unsettling and hesitant harpsichord passages, the full romance theme emerges again in all its glory. To balance this, the music for the horrors of war sees Morricone at his most challenging and dissonant. Beginning with the 'Opening Titles, Morricone's music is unsettling, filled with nerve-shredding string sustains, rattling percussion ideas, and machine gun sound effects. There are also some moments of tension and suspense too which use string sustains overlaid with nervous tinkling pianos, harpsichords, and snare drum riffs, to underscore the Fräulein as she undertakes the most dangerous parts of her mission. The film's big set piece comes in 'The Poison Gas Battle at Ypres, which is an impressive combination of screaming brass, screeching strings, guttural choral outbursts, and multiple moments of stark orchestral dissonance. 'Fräulein Doktor is a Morricone masterpiece, featuring one of his most beautiful love themes, some of his most challenging dissonance, and a sensational finale that has to be heard to be believed. This is the complete soundtrack with Bruno Nicolai (1926-1991) conducting. This video is for promotional use only. I do not own the rights to the music. All rights belong to the artist / band.