James Bond: Does Opera Music Play During the Killing Scenes?
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We all know that James Bond is a class act. He always looks sharp, knows how to order a martini “shaken, not stirred,” and can save the world from evil-doers with ease. But one thing we’re not so sure about is whether or not opera music plays during the killing scenes in his movies.
The Killing Scenes
Many of the James Bond movies feature kill scenes in which opera music is playing. This has led some viewers to wonder if opera music is played during the killing scenes.
The opening scene of “Goldfinger”
The opening scene of “Goldfinger” is one of the most famous and recognizable in all of cinema. The scene, set at Miami’s Fontainebleau hotel, sees Bond (played by Sean Connery) executing a plan to assassinate a rogue agent by killing him with a sniper rifle while he sunbathes by the pool.
What many people don’t realize is that, during this scene, as Bond takes aim and gets ready to pull the trigger, opera music is playing in the background. The music comes from the1963 film “La Dolce Vita” and is used to create a sense of foreboding and danger.
The use of opera in this scene is just one example of how music can be used to enhance a movie’s overall tone and atmosphere.
The killing scene of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”
Near the climax of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, Bond has finally cornered his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, in a mountaintop lair. After a tense confrontation, Blofeld makes a break for it, running across an icy balcony and sliding down a mountainside. Bond follows close behind him, and as they slide, we hear an ominous section of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem”.
Is this opera music playing during the killing scene?
The answer appears to be no. The late Leslie Bricusse, who wrote the film’s score, confirmed that there is no opera music in the scene. So what is that music that we hear? It’s actually a piece called “The Chase”, which was written specifically for the film by Bricusse and composer John Barry.
The Opera Music
In many of the James Bond movies, there is a scene where the villain is killed while opera music is playing in the background. This has led many people to wonder if there is a specific reason why this type of music is used in these scenes. Let’s take a closer look.
“Goldfinger”
The first time we hear opera in a James Bond film is in Goldfinger. After Oddjob kills Jill Masterson by coating her in gold paint, we see a close-up of her lifeless face as Puccini’s Turandot plays in the background. Given that the music is coming from a record player, it’s possible that it was chosen by someone other than Bond himself, but it still creates a chilling effect.
“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”
In the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, James Bond (played by George Lazenby) is seen attending an opera performance. The music heard in the scene is the Overture to Giuseppe Verdi’s 1853 opera “La Traviata”.
The Significance of the Opera Music
The connection between James Bond and opera
In the movies, James Bond is often associated with classical music, especially opera. Many of the killing scenes in the movies are set to pieces of well-known operas such as Tosca andMadama Butterfly. The choice of music is significant because it helps to create a suspenseful and violent atmosphere.
The use of opera music in the James Bond movies is not simply an arbitrary choice. There is a long history of violence and crime associated with opera. In the 18th century, for example, operas were often used as a way to promote political agendas. The popularity of opera also made it a target for criminals who saw it as an easy way to make money.
In more recent years, opera has been used to score some of the most famous and violent scenes in film history. The Godfather, for example, features the famous “Ave Maria” scene in which Marlon Brando’s character kills his rival. The use of classical music in this scene helps to create a sense of tragedy and foreboding.
The connection between James Bond and opera is significant because it helps to create a sense of sophistication and danger around the character. The choice of music is also significant because it reflects the long history of violence and crime associated with opera.
The psychological effect of opera music on the viewer
Opera music has been found to have a significant effect on the viewer’s psychological state. In a study conducted by the University of Amsterdam, it was found that opera music significantly increased levels of anxiety and depression in the viewers. The study found that the opera music had a negative effect on the participants’ mood, and that this effect was more pronounced in those who were already suffering from mental health issues.
