= SUNFLOWER =

When the train takes Antonio away from Giovanna forever, at the end of this beautiful motion picture, there is a melody that echoes the breaking of the human heart. It is the "Sunflower" Love Theme and it is probably the loveliest melody that Henry Mancini has ever written. It is a theme of tragic love, of the infinite sadness of human experience. It brings a catch to the throat and tears to the eyes. Because "Sunflower" is an honest picture, these are honest emotions and the music is a deep  and honest expression of these emotions.

It is sometimes said that music for a motion picture should be felt rather than heard. In "Sunflower" the music is felt and heard. There is a poignancy to the score, it is full of haunting melodies. The Love Theme - the way it pervades this movie - is an unforgettable experience. But there is plenty of variety - from the bright Latin rhythms of Giovanna's Theme to the Slavic Mashas's Theme

The Story of Sunflower

Wartime Italy. Antonio and Giovanna fall in love and marry. The army takes Antonio to the frozen hell of Rusia where, left for dead in the snow, he is rescued by the Russian girl, Masha. Shattered by the experience, he is nursed to health by Masha and marries her. The years pass. When Antonio fails to return, Giovanna goes to Russia to search for him. She finds him living with Masha and father of a child. Heartbroken, Giovanna returns to Italy. But Antonio, with his old true love awakened, follows her.

To no avail. Each now has a separate tragic life. Brokenhearted they part - forever. 
There are two reasons to buy the music from a movie. One, the music is good. Two, it brings back memories of the picture. Here, in this beautiful album, is some of the most beautiful music  Henry Mancini has ever written. And the memories of a beautiful picture.