The Appointment

Plot synopsis

After becoming involved with the ex-fiancée of a business acquaintance, lawyer Federico Fendi (Omar Sharif) becomes consumed with suspicion that his new wife Carla (Anouk Aimée) may be moonlighting as a high-class prostitute. His attempts to entrap her lead to disaster.

Production

The Appointment has three original scores. Michel Legrand composed the film's first score. That score contained only a single theme, with variations, and was ultimately rejected. A replacement score was composed by John Barry, which was used in the film's theatrical release. Barry's score also contained a single theme with variations, with the exception of select location scenes. The film had a very limited release in the United States, and when the rights were purchased for U.S. television airing by CBS, MGM re-edited the film and commissioned an entirely new score by Stu Phillips. Selections from all three scores were finally released on CD in 2003 by Film Score Monthly.

Awards and nominations

The Appointment was nominated for the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival. The prize was instead awarded to the British black comedy If.... (1968).