Now streaming on Disney+ is the documentary movie, Music by John Williams. Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, the film focuses on the life and music of arguably the greatest film composer of the modern era, the titular John Williams.
Williams has won a string of awards during his career, ranging from Grammys and BAFTAs to Golden Globes and Academy Awards and is a legend in his own lifetime. However, to you and I, he’s the guy who has essentially provided the soundtrack to our lives and has got us excited about sharks, dinosaurs, and superheroes.
From Jaws, Star Wars, and Superman: The Movie, to E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List, Williams is responsible for the music to many of the biggest movies of all-time. If you’re a fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Home
Alone, or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, then you’ll be a fan of Williams’ work and a fan of this documentary too.
Featuring input from Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and James Mangold, amongst others, Music by John Williams offers up an affectionate look at Williams’ portfolio. From his TV themes to his movie scores, the docu-film looks at many of his iconic tunes, from the celebrated pieces to the lesser-known works and beyond.
The film also focuses on Williams’ background, his writing process, his triumphs and tragedies. Williams has been in the business for over 60 years, and this documentary attempts to cover as much ground as possible.
It also makes it clear just how invaluable his music is to cinema. As George Lucas puts it: “Star Wars basically would not be Star Wars without Johnny Williams’ music.”
Arguably the highlight of this documentary is the sheer amount of input from the man himself. John Williams is 92-years-old, and won’t be able to contribute to documentaries forever, so to have him discuss his work at length in this way is invaluable.
It’s also great to see him on screen alongside Spielberg, talking about their working relationship and seeing their obvious friendship in action. These two have collaborated on many films, across multiple decades, and it’s clear they have an admiration for each other.
But then, there is a lot of admiration for Williams throughout this docu-film. There’s no bad words here, more a run-through of all the good stuff.
As such, this isn’t a particularly hard-hitting piece, it’s more of a light and frothy film. It’s the sort of thing which is ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon, or to be enjoyed over the Christmas holidays when your ass is welded to the sofa for days and the wine and cheese is flowing.
All-in-all, Music by John Williams is a delightful watch that will remind you of all the great music that has been produced by the legendary composer. The film also demonstrates how important he is to cinema, and features many of his magnificent tunes.
Williams’ contribution to the movie business is impossible to quantify, but it’s fair to say his music has inspired and influenced millions, and has brought joy to countless lives. This alone is a cause for celebration, and that’s all that really needs to be said.
If you’re a fan of Williams (and who isn’t?), then I expect the Music of John Williams will provide you with a delightful trip down memory lane. It’s also likely to kick-start an evening or even a weekend of films featuring his music, so maybe now is the time to revisit Hook or Saving Private Ryan, and to update your Spotify playlist accordingly.
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