NIGHTWING

Henry Mancini is one of the most famous and successful film composers of all time. Unfortunately his extraordinary success as a songwriter and composer for romantic comedies came at the expense of him receiving much attention for his darker or more dramatic scores. Lifeforce (1985) is a masterpiece. Even The Great Mouse Detective allowed Mancini to whip up quite an orchestral storm for the Big Ben Chase. People forget that Henry Mancini actually began his career with pictures like It Came From Outer Space (1953), Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954) and Tarantula (1955)! Nightwing comes from that family, but it’s from 1979! It gave Mancini a chance to return to his roots. The cult film, recently resurrected for a late night screening in Los Angeles for a group of the film’s devoted fans, was directed by Arthur Hiller (Love Story, Penelope, Author! Author!) and starred Nick Mancuso, Kathryn Harrold and David Warner. The score features some of Mancini’s most mystical, spiritual and hypnotic writing, alongside a good old-fashioned Battle In The Bat Cave!

Nick Mancuso is Youngman Duran, a Maskai Indian tribal deputy torn between the modern world and the ancient mysticism of his people. During his patrol one day, Duran is summoned to investigate the bizarre death of a horse. The animal exhibits razor-sharp wounds that no coyote or mountain lion could inflict. Meanwhile, Duran's girlfriend, Anne (Kathryn Harrold), is on a camping trip in the desert. That night, Anne's party is attacked by thousands of swarming bats, leaving Anne as the only survivor. Duran learns of the attack and sets out to save her but, his most difficult task looms ahead. How will he stop the sinister menace that is terrorizing the area?

Henry Mancini recorded the main title from Nightwing for his album Mancini In Surround ? Mostly Monsters, Murders and Mysteries, but the original soundtrack makes it world premier here! It's hard to believe that the films of 1979 are now celebarting 30-year anniversaries!
* Excerpt from the label
Limited 1500 copies. Label Sold out.

1. Main Title (3:16)
2. Abner’s Painting (1:16)
3. Visit To Kochina Springs (1:18)
4. Just A Chill (:49)
5. Abner Has Left (:58)
6. Be Careful (:34)
7. Abner’s Burial (2:28)
8. Up In Smoke (1:15)
9. He’s Risen (:25)
10. Escape From The Bats (:47)
11. Goin’ Fishin’ (2:11)
12. Dead Priests (:46)
13. The Lines Cross (1:34)
14. Search For Anne (3:55)
15. They Are Evil (1:17)
16. Return To The Root (2:57)
17. The Bat Nest (2:45)
18. They Are Evil II (1:30)
19. Battle In The Bat Cave (5:18)
20. Finale / End Title (1:59)
21. Nightwing (4:13)

Bonus Tracks:

22. Bat Song (1:33)
23. Bat Song II (1:19)