The Man Who Knew Too Much(1956)

Royal Albert Hall

*****

Here's a question, what is the common denominator among the following films: Citizen Kane(1941), Vertigo(1958), Psycho(1960), Farenheit 451(1966), and Taxi Driver(1976). Well, yes, they're all great influential films, but aside from that?.. Well if you've guessed it and identified him correctly, then you must be a big fan of him, just like me.

Bernard Herrmann stands as one of the best proof why the Auteur theory in film criticism fails in its premise by elevating the director as the absolute author-- the sole 'creative voice' that is responsible for the creation of an art/movie masterpiece which is a reflection of the artist's vision. And what concerns me even more is that in some cases, screenwriter and producers are fairly recognized too with their own artistic contributions in films and at times are raised in the same pedestal with the directors. People such as Bernard Herrmann and their artistic genius are never given enough credits. If a film is indeed a work of art, then this man here is the consummate artist; he's not merely a musical scorer or a musician, but I firmly believe that he is a film maker and an auteur in his own right. He's the man responsible for the musical score of what is considered by AFI as the greatest Hollywood film ever made. He is the staple collaborator in most films of one of the best director ever in cinematic history. He is the genius behind those screeching violin of the most famous and breathtaking movie scene ever. And he is the one responsible for that haunting music (that I keep on whistling time and time again) in what I consider my personal favorite film of all time. Now, do I need to say more? He is indeed the genius behind them geniuses. Anyway, before I forgot, let's get on with the film.

The genius behind the geniuses

The Man Who Knew Too Much(1956) is a film by the great Alfred Hitchcock. It is a remake of the 1934 film of the same title by the same director. It's two full hours of pure coercing suspense and entertainment. Right there from that enthralling orchestra music laden opening credits up to that witty and hilarious final scene, it's really impossible to lose grip of this film. I personally loved that climactic Royal Albert Hall scene. It was perfectly executed with that thundering orchestra music and the dynamic cinematography. And one other reason I loved it aside from the thrill and excitement it brings is of course because of that Bernard Herrmann cameo. That one's for the win! :) (This post is actually more of a tribute to Mr. Herrmann than an actual film review, you see.)

I always believe that ever since the dawn of sound in cinema-- or the twilight years of the silent era-- the viewing experience in watching films has been divided equally into two; one half are those that we see and the other half are what we hear. Thus, the soundtrack of a film plays a very important role in shaping the spectator's response to the film. And so it is about time we give the sufficient and well deserved credit to the geniuses behind the great musical scores that we've heard in films, for some of them too, are auteurs.



Rating: 5 out of 5 Kahuna Burgers