Dragon’s Domain Records presents BATTLE OF NERETVA, featuring music composed by Bernard Herrmann (CITIZEN KANE, PSYCHO, TAXI DRIVER) for the 1969 historical epic directed by Veljko Bulajic, written by Ugo Pirro, Stevo Bulajic, Ratko Djurovic and Veljko Bulajic, starring Yul Brynner, Hardy Krüger, Franco Nero, Sylva Koscina, Orson Welles, Curd Jürgens, Anthony Dawson, Milena Dravic, Sergey Bondarchuk, Ljubisa Samardzic and Bata Zivojinovic.

To film this epic chronicle of raw courage and stubborn savagery, executive producers Henry T. Weinstein and Anthony B. Unger chose Veljko Bulajic, the renowned Yugoslav director noted for his adroit handling of large-scale subject matter. Military experts from [the former] Yugoslavia, Germany, and Italy each contributed to the battle scenes with tanks, artillery, planes and cannons.

Special effects were provided by Barrandow Studios in Prague, while the [former] U.S.S.R. supplied a team of pyrotechnicians. Four 1943 Bosnian villages and a complete fortress were constructed for destruction by aerial bombardment.

Herrmann was a magician when it came to evoking - and the vice-like possession of - moods. The orchestra has been swollen by Herrmann with augmented brass and percussion sections. The themes used often have that Russian accent which you can hear throughout. A more accustomed piece of Herrmann’s irresistible and refrigerated ethereal romance can be heard in Pastorale, Separation and The Turning Point.

There is lyricism too. It is given that Neapolitan spin in From Italy and a sentimental overlay arises in The Death of Danica with an unashamedly yearning close-up accordion. The dragging music for The Retreat recalls a certain famous theme (I won’t give it away) and one of the most atmospherically sinister tracks is that for Farewell.

1. Prelude; 2. The Retreat; 3. Separation; 4. From Italy; 5. Chetniks’ March; 6. Farewell; 7. Partisan March; 8. Pastorale; 9. The Turning Point; 10. The Death of Danica; 11. Victory; 12. Danica’s Theme; 13. Part 1; 14. Part 2; 15. Part 3

Official Purchase Link