The Music Sound Track From Hamburger Hill

One of the most prominent bands of the "British Invasion" movement in the 1960s, the Animals made their name with their gritty, blues-inspired sound and the distinctive deep voice of their lead singer Eric Burdon. The band initially suffered for poor management and ended up breaking up just a few years into their run, but the original lineup has since been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

As with any great band, the Animals have inspired a few filmmakers to include their music on the soundtracks of their movies. From Martin Scorsese to James Bond, these are the best uses of Animals songs in movies.

10 "Don't Bring Me Down" In Black Mass

Although Jack Nicholson's character in The Departed was loosely based on Whitey Bulger, the Boston crime boss' story wasn't told on-screen until Johnny Depp played him in 2015's Black Mass.

Joel Edgerton plays John Connolly, the FBI agent who racked up a bunch of his own criminal charges through his relationship with Bulger. The Animals' "Don't Bring Me Down" plays on the soundtrack over one of Connolly's arrests.

9 "The House Of The Rising Sun" In Suicide Squad

Warner Bros.' recut version of David Ayer's Suicide Squad, intended to be essentially a feature-length trailer, is a complete mess. But the movie does have a few saving graces, like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and an awesome soundtrack.

The Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun" plays over the movie's opening scene, setting the stage for a soundtrack that incorporates songs by such diverse artists as Rick Ross, War, Panic! at the Disco, Eminem, and Rick James.

8 "When I Was Young" In Demolition

2015's Demolition stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Davis Mitchell, an investment banker who struggles to rebuild his life following the tragic death of his wife in a car accident.

He develops a friendship with a customer service rep after his grief takes the form of an angry letter about a malfunctioning vending machine. The Animals' "When I Was Young" appears on the movie's soundtrack.

7 "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" In Fahrenheit 9/11

Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 is a scathing indictment of the Bush administration and the War on Terror. What has made Moore's documentaries so popular is that he makes truly entertaining movies, which is a breath of fresh air in one of the documentary's driest subgenres.

A huge part of this is a soundtrack filled with licensed hits. In addition to songs by artists including R.E.M., Neil Young, and Jethro Tull, Fahrenheit 9/11 contains "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" by the Animals.

6 "Sky Pilot" In Zodiac

David Fincher's true-crime thriller Zodiac is as chillingly ambiguous as the case upon which it was based. In keeping with the movie's historical setting, the Animals appear on the soundtrack with "Sky Pilot."

"Sky Pilot" was also featured in the first season of Eastbound & Down after Kenny sends Stevie into the school to set off the fire alarms and get the building evacuated.

5 "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" In Layer Cake

Matthew Vaughn's slick crime thriller Layer Cake has a soundtrack that incorporates such artists as the Cult, Duran Duran, and Kylie Minogue. Plus, as with most gangster movies, it has "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones.

The movie also contains a cover version of the Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," performed by Joe Cocker of "Up Where We Belong" fame.

4 "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" In Hamburger Hill

One of the most brutal Vietnam War movies ever made, Hamburger Hill brilliantly uses the story of a single operation as a microcosm for the entire conflict.

It's appropriate that the movie utilizes the Animals' "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," because that title sums up the characters' thoughts about fighting in Vietnam.

3 "Don't Bring Me Down" In Ford V. Ferrari

James Mangold followed up his Oscar-nominated comic book movie masterpiece Logan with Ford v. Ferrari, the true story of Ford's attempts to build a car that could defeat Ferrari.

The movie has an original score but also includes licensed songs by the Byrds and Nina Simone. It also has "Don't Bring Me Down" by the Animals.

2 "Boom Boom" In Skyfall

When Javier Bardem's unforgettable villain Raoul Silva descends upon the titular Scottish manor in Skyfall, he blasts the Animals' "Boom Boom" from the speakers of his attack helicopter.

The song sets the stage beautifully for the climactic battle. Silva wants to kill M as retribution for his treatment as an agent, and James Bond is determined to protect her — and fails.

1 "The House Of The Rising Sun" In Casino

With its nonlinear storytelling, rapid pacing, familiar casting, voiceover narration, and soundtrack jam-packed with pop hits, Martin Scorsese's Casino was accused of being a pale imitation of his earlier film Goodfellas.

But the movie has plenty of merits. Sharon Stone gives an incredible performance, the Vegas setting offers an entirely new look at organized crime, and the soundtrack is impeccable. When the characters involving in skimming are executed one by one by the mob, Scorsese plays "The House of the Rising Sun" on the soundtrack to really sell the tragedy.

NEXT: 10 Best Uses Of Rolling Stones Songs In Movies

Next The 20 Best Movies Of All Time (According To IMDb)

About The Author

Ben Sherlock (3151 Articles Published)

Ben Sherlock is a writer, comedian, and independent filmmaker. He writes lists for Screen Rant and features and reviews for Game Rant, covering Mando, Melville, Mad Max, and more. He's currently in pre-production on his first feature, and has been for a while because filmmaking is expensive. In the meantime, he's sitting on a mountain of unproduced screenplays. Previously, he wrote for Taste of Cinema, Comic Book Resources, and BabbleTop. You can catch him performing standup at odd pubs around the UK that will give him stage time.

More From Ben Sherlock

The Music Sound Track From Hamburger Hill

Source: https://screenrant.com/best-movie-scenes-featuring-animals-songs/

Share this post