The main theme from the Molly Maguires (alternatively called "Pennsylvania, 1876") is a full spectrum symphonic piece that serves as the backdrop in the film for sinister activities that culminate in a mine explosion that even MacGyver would envy. The film runs for about seven or eight minutes with no dialog at all. The music carries the action forward just as the score used to do with silent films (when played in the theatre by a live musician).

This is arguably the culmination of Mancini's career. There is nothing syrupy like his work in Breakfast at Tiffany's and nothing silly like "Baby Elephant Walk" from Hatari or the theme from The Pink Panther. Nor is there any of the jazz feel from works such as Peter Gunn.

The themes in The Molly Maguires, including the richly symphonic cuts, are solidly based on Irish folk music with a bit of music hall thrown in. The score is deeply moving, and highly rousing for the sequences that underlie the Mollies' destructive activities. The love theme, "The Hills of Yesterday," is "hauntingly evocative" (which is a clichéd way to say the piece has incredible emotional impact).

Sadly, the DVD seems to be unavailable except for used copies.