His most unusual -- yet fascinating -- score: LE NOTTE BIANCHI -- WHITE NIGHTS. Both movie & score are an absolute masterpiece. PLEIN SOLEIL -- PURPLE NOON THE GODFATHER PART 2 IL GATTOPARDO -- THE LEOPARD DEATH ON THE NILE
Juliet of the Spirits La Dolce Vita 81/2 Fellini Roma Fellini Satyricon. Wild, other-worldly. Fellini said Satyricon was the closest he ever got to science fiction. The music didn't hurt his chances.
Nino Rota doesn't come up much on these boards. Nice to see him mentioned.
This is an almost impossible task. Such a great composer, so many highlights. I’m more or less a completist regarding this composer. My top 5 would be;
Alle Origini della Mafia Rocco e i suoi fratelli Plein soleil The Godfather Romeo & Juliet
after that I would pick; Le notti bianchi Il Gattopardo Il Casanova di Fellini Film d’amore e d’anarchia War and peace
As couvee said it's almost an impossibility when it comes to Rota, but here goes...
Juliet of the Spirits
La Dolce Vita
Amarcord
La Strada
Plein soleil
Argh. This leaves out so many other greats, though - Romeo & Juliet, The Godfather, Toby Dammit, Boccaccio '70, Casanova, Satyricon, etc. And his concert music is excellent as well.