R.I.P. Claudia Cardinale (1938-2025)
It's impossible for us to remember Claudia Cardinale without hearing the heart rending theme that Ennio Morricone wrote for her character in Sergio Leone's immortal "Once Upon A Time In The West".
Infinitely sweet and sadly reflective at the same time, "Jill's Theme" somehow serves to bring up a lifetime of memories about Cardinale's prolific and fabled career......films for Fellini, Visconti, Herzog and so many more (including American directors Richard Brooks and Blake Edwards.)
Throughout the 1960's she was part of the mighty triumvirate of stunning women who dominated international films, which included Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida. All of them not only beautiful beyond description, but gifted actresses who could command the screen in any genre they took on....from gut-punching drama to knockabout comedy.
To the many roles she played, Cardinale could bring both smoldering sexuality and an aching vulnerability all at the same time. (And it's fitting that very essence of her abilities was captured by Morricone in his legendary score for "Once Upon A Time...."
Whether she broke your heart or made you laugh, you couldn't take your eyes off her.... with those luminous dark eyes and distinctive throaty voice, she held moviegoers enthralled, enchanted and entertained for decades.
We've no idea what awaits us after death (and contrary to religious beliefs, neither does anyone else).....but if there is a heaven, we'd bet all our DVDs and Blu-Rays that she's settling in there just fine....
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