"The Molly Maguires", starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris was released in 1970, while I was living in Honolulu, Hawaii, by Paramount Pictures. Rather surprised that Sean Connery wasn't playing the undercover Pinkerton cop instead of Richard Harris. I thought Mr. Harris was miscast in this film. The only film I enjoyed his performance in was "Cry The Beloved Country". The movie is a historical drama played out in the coal mines of Eastern Pennsylvania in the 1870s. This is another film that did not perform well for Paramount. I enjoyed this one as well, mostly due to Connery's performance and the music of Henry Mancini. After the film I began reading books on the subject and found it to be most intriging. It's a great little film that needs to be on your Top Ten List of historical films to watch.
"The Molly Maguires" has a dramatic score by composer Henry Mancini. As usual, Henry composed, arranged and conducted. He is normally associated with lightweight scores such as "Breakfast At Tiffanys" and "The Pink Panther". When he does receive a rare dramatic film to score he shows you what a truly great composer he really was. This is a most enjoyable score filled with lovely tracks and listenable dramatic interplay. Surely one of his best efforts in the 1970s. The CD has been out-of-print for some time now and will cost you a pretty penny to own. The CD is on the Bay Cities label BCD 3029, 1970, with a 4 page booklet and liner notes by Jon Burlingame.
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