Music by John Williams

"Music by John Williams" is an excellently appreciative life and career retrospective of arguably the most accomplished, respected, and most importantly, beloved film composers of all time. As I was watching the documentary, I was in awe time and time and time again by the various genres from plenty of the biggest pictures ever, and especially those, that have a figment of mine and many others childhoods, adolescence and life soundtracks. From what I gathered, John Williams philosophy and way of life is, in fact, simple. Purely due his love of music, music is his way of life, which is how and why he created so much for so long. The film featured long time collaborator Steven Spielberg, additionally as a producer for the doc, as well as many established musicians, from classical to pop, fellow composers, esteemed filmmakers and family. I was made to appreciate the grandiose and multi-faceted encompassing aspects of an orchestra and orchestral music, which many others, like myself, have not truly thought of nor acknowledged. "Music by John Williams" is truly inspiring. My biggest takeway was simply a matter of doing, that's all, and the journey is off.

Music by John Williams was fantastic movie!

Well done documentary

If you are a film score geek like me, this one is for you. ENLIGHTENING - INSPIRING - LOW-ENERGY - EDUCATIONAL Every movie you've seen scored by John Williams will flash before your eyes. It is a look behind the curtain into his career, but it doesn't push the boundaries of his story or the genre. This is a safe film. What about the struggles he faced to create all of his incredible music? We're only given a glimpse at the loss of his wife, and how that affected him... but that's it. This fine documentary lacks energy. It needs to be the sketchbook for a feature film about his life - what Maestro should have been. Music By John Williams feels classic, in both an ordinary and beautiful way. It was a bit frustrating because Williams is anything BUT ordinary... perhaps it's just the film format here. A biopic of Williams would be legendary. I'm fascinated by the scope of footage they have spanning his entire scoring career. It could be daunting to pull together so much history, but Bouzereau does so with finesse. Worth a watch... but it could have been so much more. In the end, this feels more like a film you'd watch in a lecture hall in film school when there's a free day in the professor's class schedule. There's nothing wrong with that. It just is what it is.

An incredible documentary that brings together Williams' entire career and highlights its impact on people with wildly different perspectives...not to mention it caused me to start rewatching Spielberg's entire filmography.

A fantastic composer! He did great music for many George Lucas and Steven Spielberg movies. He also composed music for “Harry Potter” and “Home Alone”. He is also very talented on the piano.

A documentary worthy of its subject’s incredibly talented caliber integrity that expresses knowledgeable passion behind iconic scores – some pleasantly emphasized, utterly covered in respecting cherished expectations, whilst fulfilling in layering the story onto the household name. (A-)

This documentary takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey through the life and career of John Williams, one of the most iconic composers in cinematic history. Spanning decades of unforgettable scores, it highlights his extraordinary contributions to films like Jaws, Schindler's List, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T. the Extraterrestrial, Jurassic Park, and many others. A must-watch for film score aficionados, this heartfelt tribute showcases the genius behind melodies that have become cultural touchstones. The documentary beautifully captures Williams' creative process, his profound impact on the film industry, and the emotional power of his music. Winning 5 Academy Awards out of an astonishing 54 nominations is a testament to his unparalleled talent and enduring legacy. Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime maestro whose work continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

John Williams is obviously and without question one of the greatest film composers to ever live, and even that feels like an understatement. This somewhat basic documentary plays like a loving tribute to a living legend, and while it never dives into the deep nitty gritty, you can’t help but just sit back in awe as Williams, Spielberg, and others reflect on the creation and impact of his most memorable scores. It’s less of a documentary and more of a cinematic victory lap and celebration of Williams and his greatest musical works. Personally, my favourite aspects were seeing Steven Spielberg himself fanboying over John Williams; it is staggering on a cultural level to observe how much the two of them have impacted orchestral film scores and the film industry at large, but on a personal level its also incredibly endearing. No one has provided as much joy, excitement, and wonder to the world than this man. There will never be another John Williams — I’m so lucky I got to attend one of his Hollywood Bowl concerts a few years ago (the one featured in the doc)! The man is a living legend! My personal favourite John Williams score: ET (notably the last 15 minutes of the movie)

Music by John Williams is a moving and thoroughly enjoyable tribute to the legendary composer who redefined cinematic music. The documentary masterfully weaves together interviews, iconic scores, and behind-the-scenes stories to explore Williams’ journey from a jazz pianist to the creator of some of Hollywood’s most memorable soundtracks. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas provide heartfelt anecdotes that highlight Williams’ genius and humility, while fellow composers like Alan Silvestri share how his work shaped the industry. The film’s exploration of themes like leitmotifs and emotional storytelling adds depth for both casual viewers and film score enthusiasts. Though it primarily focuses on Williams’ most famous works like Star Wars and Jaws, leaving less room for lesser-known gems, the film is a fitting homage to a career that has touched countless hearts. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves movies, music, or the magic they create together.