His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time, over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams' own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians, and others he has inspired, complete with rare behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movie history.
17 Dec Music by John Williams (2024)
Pop
I have commented on about 6,000 films and I cannot recall any of those comments centred on the score. Yet we all know that for many films that is an important component. The primary reason I suppose is that I am not a sophisticated listener, whereas I know something about the other mechanisms of cinema. That said, I am as much a sucker for a musical hook as the next yobbo — and as easily manipulated.
John Williams has been a part of the film world as long as I’ve been carefully watching. I just recompiled my list of ‘fours’ — being the films that mattered to me. There are over a hundred on that list, but not a single one that used Williams, indeed Spielberg and Lucas are also wholly absent.
The question in my mind is why. Incidentally, I see that Michael Nyman supports many of the films I value.
After watching this, I see three qualities in Williams that I admire. The first is simply the inventive energy, sustained over half a century.
The second I only recently have come to appreciate. This man understands and depends on the symphonic voice. A full symphony in real life is one of the richest sensory experiences possible. He leverages that with human musicians and texture that implies humanness. That all his scores are symphonic tells me he is investing in a craft and art that will be lost soon. The man has to be admired for keeping that in cinema.
But the big thing is that he seems to be able to look at a film deeply enough to understand it, enough to enrich it and know how. You have to admire that. Perhaps half of this appreciative documentary is there to convince us that he is a good soul, and that’s good to know.
For better or worse, he is tied to Lucas and Spielberg, and they make confections, even the ’serious’ projects. Those films are culturally significant but are pretty far from effective art.
So I think the answer to my question is that pop films will never cross over, no matter the clear mastery involved. And pop music will be entertaining and preferred in almost all cases. But it will never feed the soul.
Posted in 2024
Ted’s Evaluation — 3 of 3: Worth watching.
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