Disney’s new documentaryMusic by John Williamslooks into the career of the legendary composer and his friendship with an equally acclaimed director. The documentary is an insightful and intriguing view into one of the movie industry’s most celebrated musical experts, showing the lengths Williams goes to compose music for movies across different genres. His work has been used in many iconic movies, includingStar Wars,Home Alone,and theHarry Potterfranchise.
Throughout the documentary, Williams sheds light on the different ideas behind many of his celebrated compositions, including theorigins of theStar Warstheme.Music by John Williamsalso features interviews with figures such as Chris Martin, George Lucas, and Ke Huy Quan, who discuss how Williams' music affected and inspired them. Arguably, the one person most affected by Williams' work is the celebrated director Steven Spielberg, with whom Williams has collaborated for more than five decades.
Spielberg First Heard Williams' Music In 1969’s The Reivers
The close friendship between Williams and Spielberg is at the forefront of Disney’s documentary. In the opening segment, when Spielberg arrives on set, he and Williams greet each other warmly. Spielberg once “fell in love” with the score for the 1969 movieThe Reiversand vowed to get the movie’s composer, Williams, to work on his feature debut,The Sugarland Express,released in 1974. Spielberg has also discussed his fondness for Williams' work growing up withThe Hollywood Reporter.
Upon their first meeting, Spielberg and Williams were both impressed with each other.Williams admits in the documentary that he “adored” Spielberg from the first time meeting him,praising the young director’s unique talent. Spielberg showed WilliamsThe Sugarland Express,and Williams agreed to compose music for the movie. Spielberg stated that he was so impressed with the score, that he committed to continue working with Williams, beginning a professional friendship that has lasted more than 50 years.
The score forThe Sugarland Expresswas not released as an album until 2024 to collaborate with the movie’s 50th anniversary.
How Many Of Steven Spielberg’s Movies John Williams Has Worked On
Williams Has Won Oscars For His Music in Three Spielberg Movies
Music by John Williamsalso showcases the piano where themost celebrated John Williams movie themeswere composed; Williams plays music on the piano from movies includingJaws,Close Encounters of the Third Kind,andThe Fablemans, considered to be some ofSteven Spielberg’s best movies. Between 1974 and 2022,Williams and Spielberg collaborated on a total of 29 movies.According toVariety, Williams also served as a music consultant on Spielberg’s 2021 movieWest Side Story,which is one of only five Spielberg movies for which he did not compose original music.
1974
1975
1977
1941
1979
1981
1982
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
1984
Empire of the Sun
1987
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1989
1991
1993
1997
1998
2001
2002
Catch Me If you may
2004
War of the Worlds
2005
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
2008
2011
2012
2016
2017
2022
Yes -Nominated
Williams has received multiple awards and nominations for these works. Out of the 54 Oscar nominations Williams has received for Best Original Score, 18 of them were for Spielberg movies; he won three Oscars for his scores inJaws,E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,andSchindler’s List. Williams' ability to connect to Spielberg’s movies through music has proven to be a success for both film icons, whileMusic by John Williamsis a warm reflection of the love and respect they have for each other.
Source:The Hollywood Reporter,Variety
Music by John Williams
John Williams' career spans jazz, film scores, and concert music, earning him 54 Oscar nominations, five wins, and a significant cultural impact. This documentary explores the life of this prolific musical icon.
