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AKA:
El último cazador (Spain)
Héros d'apocalypse (France)
Hunter of the Apocalypse (UK)
Jäger der Apokalypse (West Germany)
The Last Hunter (World-wide) (English title)
Chris' Soundtrack Corner brings to all Retro Euro Cult film score aficionados a previously unavailable title by a still living champion of the great Italian Silver Age – Franco Micalizzi.
L'ULTIMO CACCIATORE (THE LAST HUNTER) was a 1980 production {meant to capitalize on the success of APOCOLYPSE NOW and THE DEER HUNTER} from acclaimed genre director Antonio Margheriti (WILD WILD PLANET, CASTLE OF BLOOD, THE VIRGIN OF NUREMBERG). Micalizzi brought to the project a sharp, dynamic edge predicated upon his own famous and seminal inventions for the violent Italian urban crime thrillers of the 1970's – the poliziotteschi. L'ULTIMO CACCIATORE is boldly animated by a series of uncompromising themes in the idioms of funk, jazz and R&B.
Micalizzi also uses his full orchestra to supply two dramatic song-forms, one of which, "Shining Shadow", serves as the memorable end titles ballad while the second piece is a delightfully sexy, sleazy exercise in soulful fusion. Fleshing out this comprehensive CD (every note of the score is included) are numerous and highly addictive elements: synth-based suspense cues, instrumental lounge and pop source cues, and expansive, explosive action set-pieces such as one would expect from a blood-soaked Vietnam era war film.
Currently, and for the past several years, Maestro Micalizzi has been having great success touring Italy with his Big Bubbling Band as he conducts sold-out live performances of his 70's film music. L'ULTIMO CACCIATORE is a perfect example of why these concert venues are doing so well – Micalizzi wrote scores that exist to do one thing above all else: give pleasure!
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