Playboy Backtracks, Says Some of Ennio Morricone’s Quotes ‘Reproduced Incorrectly’

A day after saying it stood by the story, Playboy in Germany acknowledged Tuesday that its published interview with Ennio Morricone had “reproduced incorrectly” some of the quotes attributed to the legendary Italian composer.

The magazine did not specify whether the incorrect quotes included comments in which Morricone appeared to disparage Quentin Tarantino as “a cretin” who produced subpar films. But it was those alleged remarks that caused a stir over the weekend and prompted a swift denunciation by Morricone, who said that he had not made them.

“Up to now, we have considered the freelancer [Marcel Anders] who conducted the Ennio Morricone interview on our behalf to be a renowned print and radio journalist,” German Playboy editor-in-chief Florian Boitin said in a statement. “In the past, we have had no reason to doubt his journalistic integrity and skills. Based on the information now at our disposal, we must unfortunately assume that the words spoken in the interview have, in part, been reproduced incorrectly.

“We would like to express our regret should Mr. Morricone have been portrayed in a false light. We are working to clarify this matter and are exploring legal measures.“

The wide-ranging interview appeared in German Playboy’s December issue. But Morricone says he never made comments in which he allegedly called Tarantino’s films “trash,” compared him unfavorably to directors like John Huston and Alfred Hitchcock, and criticized his working style.

Morricone has threatened legal action. He and his attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.

Hubert Media Group, the international publishing house that owns Playboy in Germany, had defended the story Monday, insisting that the interview had taken place at the end of June at Morricone’s estate in Rome and saying that it was nonplussed by accusations of inaccuracy. “We are surprised that composer Ennio Morricone denies giving an interview to German Playboy,” the company said in a statement.

Morricone worked with Tarantino on “The Hateful Eight,” and won an Oscar in 2016 for the score. In his disavowal of the comments that appeared in Playboy, the composer said: “I consider Tarantino a great director. I am very fond of my collaboration with him and the relationship we have developed during the time we have spent together. He is courageous and has an enormous personality. I credit Tarantino for being one of the people responsible for getting me an Oscar, which is for sure one of the greatest acknowledgments of my career.”

The story in Playboy also quoted Morricone as criticizing the Oscar ceremony. He looked excited during the awards show “because I knew: I can leave this boring show soon,” Morricone supposedly said.

Related stories

Playboy Stands by Its Ennio Morricone Story and His Scathing Comments on Quentin Tarantino

Ennio Morricone Denies Making 'Hateful' Quentin Tarantino Comments, Threatens to Sue Playboy Germany

Quentin Tarantino 'A Cretin,' Says 'Hateful Eight' Composer Ennio Morricone

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