Lina Wertmüller’s directorial debut is also an early collaboration with Ennio Morricone, who was only in his mid-30s and had been composing music for pictures for less than three years when he wrote the at times contemplative, at others light-hearted tracks for The Lizards. This first film from Italy’s most notable 20th century female director reveals her fascination with class structure and social systems right out of the gate, while Morricone’s score exhibits a playful side that’s reflective of the film’s satirical tone. Morricone’s work on The Lizards would prepare him for the comedic sensibilities he would later apply to films such as La Cage aux Folles (1978) and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990).