MovieScore Media release the soundtrack to the documentary The Spy Who Fell to Earth with music by composer Robin Schlochtermeier. Written and directed by Tom Meadmore, the Netflix documentary deals with one of the lesser-known chapters of the Middle-Eastern conflict as political commentator / historia Ahron “Ronnie” Bregman gets more deeply invested in the search for a mysterious Egyptian spy, whose secrets slowly consume him until the whole plot unravels with tragic consequences...

Robin Schlochtermeier's score for The Spy Who Fell to Earth is a bit of a slow, disjointed, rambling affair. While it no doubt works well in the documentary, without the visuals it just feels a little flat.

That's not to say there aren't moments to enjoy. 'Approaching Mossad' is an engaging slow build (although it sadly ends in a bit of an anti climax).

"The score for The Spy Who Fell to Earth was written first and foremost to help support the story elements of the documentary", explains Schlochtermeier about the music. "These include the conflict between Egypt and Israel, journalist Ronnie Bregman’s obsession with the enigmatic Egyptian spy Ashraf Marwan, Marwan himself, and the secret services. The director, Thomas Meadmore, also gets his own thoughtful and open-ended theme, as his line of questioning deepens into author Ronnie Bregman’s personal motivations. Musically the score draws on a rich tradition of espionage thrillers for its driving rhythms and unconventional time signatures. There are also some nods to Middle Eastern culture with some Darabuka and the Bendir drum rhythms. The score is quite action-packed for a documentary, with even a tense war scene underscore!"

I couldn't help but get the feeling this was composed as loose as possible to a not locked print of the movie, so that the music could be slotted in anywhere and it would pretty much work. Sadly, however, this means that the score doesn't really have any drive or focus, just a collection of themes that amble around with no real direction.

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Darren Rea