David Fincher's 2007 film Zodiac is quite simply a masterpiece. The story of three men and their obsession with a serial killer in late 1960's San Francisco. It's a true story and one of the men portrayed in the film, Detective Dave Toschi (Tosche station in Star Wars is named after him film fact fans ) died this week so I thought I'd mention the magnificent opening scene of the film. A scene with a perfect use of music.
A young couple sit in a car chatting and laughing. They are happy in each other's company and you get the sense that this is a new relationship. A car approaches and the driver seems to be watching them. They get uneasy but relax when he drives away. Then a man approaches and guns them both down viciously. All to the strains of Donovan's Hurdy Gurdy Man. A song that when heard by itself sounds silly and childish but one that takes on a seriously sinister tone when matched with this scene.
Histories of ages past
Unenlightened shadows cast
Down through all eternity
The crying of humanity
The song was written in 1968 when the Vietnam war was in full effect. I don't know whether this had any effect on Donovan when he was writing it but you can read any number of meanings into the lyrics above. War after war after war and nothing being learned from it or maybe it's about the the nonstop violence of men. Whatever you take from it, it's undeniable that it works well in the context of this scene. The song is replayed at the end of the film and there it will make you shudder even more than here. Late Sixties San Francisco is automatically linked with hippies, free love, psychedelic drugs and flower power but this scene is a microcosm of the dark undercurrent to it all.
Warning - The below video is a bit violent.
Brilliant. After watching that 4 minute scene I now feel compelled to rewatch that entire film. Feck.
Previous parts
Jackie Brown
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Deliverance
The Omen
Copland
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Once More With Feeling
The Mission
Before Sunset
Carlito's Way
A Knight's Tale
Platoon
Before Sunrise
Rushmore
An American Werewolf In London
Dazed And Confused
Boogie Nights
Raging Bull
Almost Famous
Once Upon A Time In The West
Goodfellas
Last Of The Mohicans
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