Folco Quilici's 1991 movie Cacciatori di Navi ("Ship Hunters") sounds like some sort of contemplative reflection on the power of the ocean.  It's so obscure that it isn't even listed on the Internet Movie Database (the first movie I've found that isn't).  Filmed in Brazil, but with an Italian crew, Quilici turned to Ennio Morricone for the music.

You might listen to the first cue and think you are in for one of Morricone's all-time greats: the familiar string lines, the pan flutes (a whole ensemble of them this time, playing alongside a standard orchestra in Rome), the soaring, beautiful melody.  It's all there and no Morricone fan will be disappointed.  Unfortunately, the remaining 55 minutes of the album just repeat the theme over and over again.  Take a look a the tracklisting and you will notice that a seven-minute version of it essentially alternates with a three-minute version.  There are differences in arrangement between each track, but even so, it's a bit much to take!

One (and there is only one) exception to this is that a more dissonant, suspense theme makes an appearance every now and again.

So, I find it hard to recommend the album.  A track on a compilation would do just fine.  The theme really is brilliant, but after over an hour of hearing it again and again, you would probably pay good money if you never had to hear it again.

The album doesn't seem to be available at any of the major American chains, but I'm sure specialist outlets could find you a copy if you ask them nicely!

Tracks