Music By John Williams ★★★★

Released: 1 November 2024 (Disney+)

Director: Laurent Bouzereau

Few figures within the world of film scores have left a mark as recognisable as John Williams. His status is nothing short of legendary. The man behind scores for the majority of Steven Spielberg’s illustrious career including Jaws and Indiana Jones. George Lucas’ much-loved Star Wars franchise and oh so much besides in a career that stretches back to the 1950s. For someone who has created some of the most recognisable music in the history of cinema, less is known about the man behind the baton. A reserved and private man who lives through his work. His story is now the subject of Laurent Bouzereau’s film the aptly named: ‘Music by John Williams’, a film that finds room for most of his iconic works and a whole heap that will be new for fans, which in under two hours is no mean feat.

While the music is so recognisable, it is fascinating to hear how some of it came to life and could have panned out very differently. We hear from the man himself, still full of vigour in his 90s. Meanwhile frequent collaborators Spielberg and Lucas also feature prominently, alongside fans including Coldplay’s Chris Martin and comedian Seth Macfarlane. The latter perhaps showing the breadth of his appeal to popular music as well as the world of film composition. It is engrossing to see how much his music influenced the eventual films, with a look at an unused score for the famous binary sunset in A New Hope showing how integral the eventual score was for the feel of the scene.

Many might not know that Williams featured on many memorable scores before he was a lead composer, playing piano on West Side Story, The Apartment and Some Like It Hot among others. Prior to this he was a jazz land leader. The film is full of interesting anecdotes, exploring the life of someone who has lived and breathed music all his life, helping to shape how we hear music within the context of film.

This is a real labour of love to a true titan of contemporary cinema and one who has influenced the cinema-going experience for so many over the past 60 years. It is mind-boggling just how many great scores he has produced and rather than simply feeling like a greatest hits experience, this gives us an insight into the man away from work and how he collaborates with individual directors. Laurent Bouzereau has made a film that feels like a fitting reflection on John Williams’ life and career, while pondering what might be next for film composition as Williams challenges the future generation not to simply rely on electronic instruments and shun the orchestral sound.