Sometimes the greatest masterpieces emerge from projects that were not originally intended to be realized. ‘Play me the song of death’ for example: After the enormous success of his ‘Dollar’ trilogy, Sergio Leone no longer felt like dealing with the myth of the Wild West and wanted to work on his gangster film in 1967. go to work. Begin the chronicle of ‘Once Upon a Time in America’. However, together with Bernardo Bertolucci, Dario Argento and eventually Sergio Donati, he worked on a script and found new motivation.
Ultimately, the result is an example of iconic film history. “Play Me a Song of Death” not only earned 5 out of 5 possible stars in the official FILMSTARTS review. For us, Sergio Leone’s milestone is also the best Western of all time – even before “The Black Falcon”, “The Wild Bunch” or “12 Noon”.
It’s all the more pleasing that the highlight has now made its way to another streaming subscription after being available on Paramount+, meaning there are even more options to easily catch up or rewatch it: “Play me the song of death” plays today, February 2 at 11:30 PM on BR – without commercial breaks!
That’s what ‘Play Me the Song of Death’ is about
These are the last days of the Wild West. In a dusty desert town, the conflict over water control escalates and the unscrupulous railway entrepreneur Mr. Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) wins the brutal battle for power and money as quickly as possible with the help of an ice-cold killer (Henry Fonda). ). Line by line, Morton wants to bring people into a new era.
Meanwhile, Jill (Claudia Cardinale) inherits the property of her brutally murdered husband. Mortan is trying to get this piece of land into his hands as an important railway base. However, a stranger (Charles Bronson) manages to buy the property at auction and return it to the widow Jill. As a result, the unknown person incurs not only the wrath of Morton, but also that of the murderer Frank. A duel ensues in which the past of the two men plays an important role…
The ultimate western
The first scene, in which three dark figures take over a remote train station and then wait without a word for ten minutes for Charles Bronson to finally arrive, is nothing short of phenomenal. There is a strange calm before the storm, broken only by the squeaking of the dilapidated floorboards, the creaking of the wind turbine on the water tower and the drops of water persistently splashing into a felt hat. Until it finally hits.
Ulrich Behrens’ FILMSTARTS review aptly describes this opening as “spooky,” which can also be applied to the entire film. With ‘Play Me the Song of Death’ Sergio Leone does not tell a glorious heroic saga about the good old days in the Wild West. Instead, it’s about revenge – and this is not an act of justice, but part of a deep trauma. The marksmen are no longer shining figures, but rather relics that have mercilessly fallen out of time.
Another important point in “Play Me a Song of Death” is the railroad. In this regard, the FILMSTARTS review says: “American capitalism as we know it, or think we know it, is inexorably collapsing. […] The railway is only the first objectification, the first symbol of this new time. Their violence is still seen as freedom; it is impossible to see what victims and crimes, what tragic fate will be associated with this new era.”
The progression in “Play Me a Song of Death” literally buries the classic western and the steaming of the locomotive becomes the swan song for an entire genre. Moreover, Sergio Leone’s masterpiece is a great example of what directorial brilliance means.
Each image is meticulously composed and Ennio Morricone’s anthemic score vitalizes and choreographs the action in a unique way. ‘Play me the song of death’ is a perfectly formed opera of violence that you should definitely indulge in.