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Music by John Williams

  • 2024
  • PG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
Music by John Williams (2024)
Follows the life of legendary composer John Williams.
Play trailer2:26
3 Videos
65 Photos
EpicMusic DocumentaryBiographyDocumentaryMusic

Follows the life of legendary composer John Williams.Follows the life of legendary composer John Williams.Follows the life of legendary composer John Williams.

  • Director
    • Laurent Bouzereau
  • Stars
    • John Williams
    • Steven Spielberg
    • Chris Martin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    5.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Laurent Bouzereau
    • Stars
      • John Williams
      • Steven Spielberg
      • Chris Martin
    • 40User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 2 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Official Trailer
    Music By John Williams: Prologue Closing
    Clip 1:06
    Music By John Williams: Prologue Closing
    Music By John Williams: Prologue Closing
    Clip 1:06
    Music By John Williams: Prologue Closing
    Music By John Williams: Jaws
    Clip 1:25
    Music By John Williams: Jaws

    Photos64

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    Top cast61

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    John Williams
    John Williams
    • Self - Composer
    Steven Spielberg
    Steven Spielberg
    • Self - Filmmaker
    Chris Martin
    Chris Martin
    • Self - Musician, Coldplay
    Alex Ross
    Alex Ross
    • Self - Music Critic…
    Thomas Newman
    Thomas Newman
    • Self - Composer
    Alan Silvestri
    Alan Silvestri
    • Self - Composer
    Seth MacFarlane
    Seth MacFarlane
    • Self - Filmmaker…
    George Lucas
    George Lucas
    • Self - Filmmaker
    Branford Marsalis
    Branford Marsalis
    • Self - Saxophonist…
    Elvis Mitchell
    Elvis Mitchell
    • Self - Host of The Treatment, KCRW
    Jenny Williams
    Jenny Williams
    • Self - Daughter of John Williams
    J.J. Abrams
    J.J. Abrams
    • Self - Filmmaker
    Ethan Gruska
    Ethan Gruska
    • Self - Record Producer…
    Paul Hirsch
    Paul Hirsch
    • Self - Editor
    Lawrence Kasdan
    Lawrence Kasdan
    • Self - Filmmaker
    James Mangold
    James Mangold
    • Self - Filmmaker
    Helen Wargelin
    Helen Wargelin
    • Self - Second Horn, Virginia Symphony Orchestra
    David Newman
    David Newman
    • Self - Film Composer…
    • Director
      • Laurent Bouzereau
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews40

    8.25.2K
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    Featured reviews

    10justwright-35606

    The composer of my childhood and beyond

    I was 12 minutes into this documentary when I knew I was going to love it. I was an early collector of movie scores, and the composer whose work most filled my shelves was always John Williams. I was the nerd that played his scores while doing my homework. The first time I heard the Jurassic Park score I was in love with his work, though perhaps even before then, of course.

    This documentary is a love letter to a man so brilliant and great that you just can't believe how humble he is. His entire career is showcased here, as well as personal struggles I didn't even know about!

    Of course, I spent too much time on Amazon buying some of his earlier jazz albums because I didn't even know that's how he truly got his start.

    This documentary is a longtime coming. It's about time this man got the showcase he deserves in this format. The best night of my life was when I was lucky to get a ticket to watch John Williams conduct his music with the Seattle Symphony. Act 1 was phenomenal, but when he started Act 2 with "Theme from Jaws" and then welcomed Steven Spielberg onto the stage, an outstanding night got that much better. This documentary took me back to that amazing night, but it also brought me more of an understanding of the man and his music that I love SO much!
    8DLochner

    A Glorious Homage! Great!

    Music by John Williams offers an engrossing dive into the life and legacy of John Williams, a composer whose scores have defined cinematic moments for generations. Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, the documentary pays detailed homage to Williams, following his career from his jazz-infused youth through his classical triumphs in Hollywood. Archival footage, intimate interviews, and firsthand accounts from luminaries like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas underscore the deep trust directors place in Williams to elevate their films through music. Spielberg recounts their 50-year collaboration with warmth, illuminating how Williams shaped Jaws, E. T., and Star Wars with his distinct style and emotional insight.

    Beyond just a career retrospective, the film reveals Williams' enduring dedication to his craft, showing him still composing by hand-eschewing digital tools in favor of the traditional pen-and-paper approach. Notably, interviews with fellow musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma and Gustavo Dudamel, highlight Williams' unique musical methodology and his influence on contemporary film scoring. The documentary captures Williams not only as a master of melody but as a creative force who has transformed orchestral film music into an emotional experience for viewers.

    This documentary appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers, showcasing the depth, humanity, and meticulous artistry Williams brings to every composition. Bouzereau's intimate direction and deep respect for Williams make Music by John Williams more than a celebration; it's a heartfelt tribute to the man whose scores have truly become the soundtrack of our lives"
    10nikostsoup

    A masterpiece about a true legend!

    A true masterpiece about the life and extrordinary work of a true legend, one of the very few of his kind still alive today. This documentary was so well made that even if it was 7 hours long it would still not be enough to honor all the incredible work the great maestro John Williams has done over so many decades on so many films. This world would not have been the same without the music that he has wrote over the years. Our parents grew up listening to it and so did we and I hope that the next generations will keep John's music to their heart. People like John Williams are great examples of talent and humanity and I hope that he is in good health and mind to keep up the amazing work, so that he receives more Oscar nominations. I wish the same for the people behind this documentary to get this to the Oscars 'cause a film about one of the people with the most Oscar nominations in the world, clearly would be Oscar-worthy.
    9MaccaMagic

    Reminder that craft and imagination is central to what humans can achieve

    I was inspired by this documentary. We shouldn't be too quick to invite AI into our lives. We should marvel at human skill, creativity and recognise that craft takes time and unlocks so much. AI is not special, what people can achieve with imagination and experiences is.

    I found this film entertaining and insightful and validated what I fear. Human craft is at risk with further progression of technology.

    I loved the journey down memory lane of great films and tv, and the music that added so much inspired emotion. Took me back to so many great childhood memories, but also motivated me to revisit pieces I haven't seen for a long time, and others I've never seen.

    Amazed at how wide John Williams resume spans, and feel privileged to have been invited to know more about his life and family and those that have worked alongside him and how in awe they have all been of him.

    So glad I watched this.
    CinemaClown

    A Heartfelt Tribute To The Greatest Film Composer Of All Time

    Chronicling the life & career of inarguably the greatest film composer alive today, Music by John Williams is crafted with heart, soul & admiration and celebrates the decades spanning legacy of the artist whose memorable compositions over the years have left an indelible mark on both film & pop culture. More a tribute than an in-depth sketch of his personal & professional life, Laurent Bouzereau's documentary provides a glance into the ideas & incidents that inspired his greatest scores, his collaboration with Steven Spielberg & endeavours outside the film industry but it isn't as informative as I expected and fails to offer any new insights.

    Brought to screen through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage & film clips, the documentary observes the significant impact his orchestral scores had then n now and garnered him a whole generation of fans all over the world. Perhaps, the only thing I can complain about is that it isn't long enough, for I would've enjoyed many more hours of it. Also, for no valid reason, there is too much Chris Martin in it. Nevertheless, anyone not aware of Williams' contribution to the medium is in for a treat as they finally learn about just how many iconic themes this legendary maestro has graced us with and how vast & versatile his body of work throughout the decades has been.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The football stadium which appears when Chris Martin from Coldplay talks, is the Monumental of River Plate club, from Argentina.
    • Goofs
      The sequence depicting the original recording session for the main title theme of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) (at approximately 38 mins) does not acknowledge that the first chord of the theme was originally preceded by another, lower chord, as heard on bonus tracks of later soundtrack releases.
    • Connections
      Features Happy Landing (1938)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1, 2024 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La música de John Williams
    • Production companies
      • Amblin Television
      • Imagine Documentaries
      • Lucasfilm
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $357
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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