John Williams’s Best Movie Scores

Known as one of the most renowned film composers in history, the career of John Williams spans both television and cinema, where he has created some of the most memorable themes ever heard on the big screen. The music of John Williams is instantly recognizable and iconic, with his masterpieces transcending various genres and sparking the imagination of audiences everywhere while leaving them with timeless classics.

John Williams excels not just in creating memorable film themes, but truly shines when he crafts entire soundtracks for top-tier movie scores. This is what makes him an exceptional composer; his music serves as a vital part of cinema’s auditory identity.

8. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Joyous Sounds for a Kid and His Alien

Track List
Main Titles
Far From Home / E.T. Alone
Bait For E.T.
Meeting E.T.
E.T’s New Home
The Beginning Of A Friendship
Toys
I’m Keeping Him
E.T’s Powers
E.T. And Elliott Get Drunk
Frogs
At Home
The Magic Of Halloween
Sending The Signal
Searching For E.T.
Invading Elliott’s House
E.T. Is Dying
Losing E.T.
E.T. Is Alive!
Escape / Chase / Saying Goodbye
End Credits

The music from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial may not have sparked as many discussions as other works by John Williams, but it’s just as worthy of recognition. It marks another fantastic partnership between the renowned team of John Williams and Steven Spielberg. This composition transports us on a thrilling journey that makes children yearn for their very own alien companion.

In a softer, more nuanced manner than some of John Williams’ other sci-fi compositions, the music from E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial, is enchanting and beautiful, particularly in its use of brass instruments. These melodies, reminiscent of a church organ, subtly emphasize the bond between the boy and his alien friend.

7. Schindler’s List

Raw Emotion to Distill Grief Like No Other

Track List
Theme From Schindler’s List
Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto, Winter ’41)
Immolation (With Our Lives, We Give Life)
Remembrances
Schindler’s Workforce
Oyf’n Pripestshock / Nacht Aktion
I Could Have Done More
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Stolen Memories
Making The List
Give Me Your Names
Yerushalaim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold)
Remembrances
Theme From Schindler’s List (Reprise)

Schindler’s List should be on everyone’s must-watch list as it sheds light on the atrocities of World War II, and John Williams, together with Itzhak Perlman, lend a haunting soundtrack to the film’s tragic story. The music in Schindler’s List is deeply moving, with its own theme accentuated by the violin solos that echo the silent drums.

In “Schindler’s List”, the music is given space to resonate deeply, and there are moments when it seems nearly too powerful, as the violins build up, almost bursting forth with emotion, mirroring the sorrowful tale that Spielberg and Williams have crafted in this film.

6. Raiders of the Lost Ark

An Exciting Indiana Jones Adventure to Immortalise a Pulp Archeologist

Track List
In the Jungle
The Idol Temple
Escape from the Temple
Flight from Peru
Washington Men / Indy’s Home
A Thought for Marion / To Nepal
The Medallion
Flight to Cairo
The Basket Game
Bad Dates
The Map Room: Dawn
Reunion in the Tent / Searching for the Well
The Well of the Souls
Indy Rides the Statue
The Fist Fight / The Flying Wing
Desert Chase
Marion’s Theme / The Crate
The German Sub
Ride to the Nazi Hideout
Indy Follows the Ark
The Miracle of the Ark
Washington Ending / Raiders March

The music that accompanies Harrison Ford’s footsteps is crafted by John Williams, creating an iconic motif for our intrepid archaeologist. This timeless melody, a fusion of brass and percussion, resonates with grandeur. Known as the Raiders March, this theme is among the most famous in film history. Wearing a fedora, leather jacket, and wielding a whip, just hearing it stirs an irresistible longing for adventure in far-off lands.

The score by John Williams in Raiders of the Lost Ark reinforced yet again the impressive collaboration between him and Steven Spielberg. The musical elements for this film’s motifs are exquisite, such as the romantic and poetic Marion’s Theme that evokes a personal flute melody accompanied by harps and additional percussion.

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Providing Audio Magic to Visual Magic

Track List
Prologue
Harry’s Wondrous World – Extended Version
The Arrival of Baby Harry
Visit to the Zoo and Letters from Hogwarts
Diagon Alley and the Gringotts Vault
Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters and the Journey to Hogwarts
Entry into the Great Hall and the Banquet
Mr. Longbottom Flies
Hogwarts Forever! and the Moving Stairs
The Norwegian Ridgeback and a Change of Season
The Quidditch Match
Christmas at Hogwarts
The Invisibility Cloak and the Library Scene
Fluffy’s Harp
In the Devil’s Snare and the Flying Keys
The Chess Game
The Face of Voldemort
Leaving Hogwarts
Hedwig’s Theme

The enchanting chimes heard on the celesta, which transport audiences into the spellbinding world of Hogwarts, are a testament to the genius of John Williams. This exceptional musician has gifted fans of the series with sounds that have grown as iconic as the visuals and the magical elements created by J.K. Rowling. The music produced by John Williams for Harry Potter has accompanied every movie release, and rightfully so, as it blends unique musical magic into a sound that is truly unparalleled.

Constructing on the enchanting bells, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone astounds through lively percussion, blending trumpets, flutes, and violins in a manner that genuinely lifts the film and carries audiences into the genuine magic of Hogwarts itself.

4. Jurassic Park

A Believable Sound for Pre-Historic Wonders

Track List
Opening Titles
Theme From Jurassic Park
Incident At Isla Nublar
Journey To The Island
The Raptor Attack
Hatching Baby Raptor
Welcome To Jurassic Park
My Friend, The Brachiosaurus
Dennis Steals The Embryo
A Tree For My Bed
High-Wire Stunts
Remembering Petticoat Lane
Jurassic Park Gate
Eye To Eye
T-Rex Rescue & Finale
End Credits

Step into the world of Jurassic Park, a film that evokes either fond or petrifying recollections in many. Regardless of one’s personal opinion about the movie, it’s hard to forget the iconic score from Jurassic Park – a symphony that builds up gradually to a crescendo of awe-inspiring wonder for creatures that have been absent for millions of years.

In the cinematic masterpiece, Jurassic Park, the visuals and central theme evoke immense excitement and awe through their design. However, its soundtrack doesn’t shy away from the fearsome nature of these prehistoric creatures, as evident in tracks like The Raptor Attack, which offers an eerie background hum combined with sharp trombone blasts for suspenseful intensity. Essentially, Jurassic Park skillfully combines elements of wonder and terror.

3. Superman: The Movie

The Greatest Superhero Receives the Greatest Theme

Track List
Prelude and Main Title March
The Planet Krypton
Destruction of Krypton
Star Ship Escapes
The Trip to Earth
Growing Up
Death of Jonathan Kent
Leaving Home
The Fortress of Solitude
Welcome to Metropolis
Lex Luthor’s Lair
The Big Rescue
Super Crime Fighter
Super Rescues
Luthor’s Luau
The March of the Villains
The Terrace
The Flying Sequence
Lois and Clark
Crime of the Century
Sonic Greeting
Misguided Missiles and Kryptonite
Chasing Rockets
Superfeats
Super Dam and Finding Lois
Turning Back the World
Finale and End Title March
Love Theme from Superman
Can You Read My Mind

The movie “Superman” is heartfelt and stunning, and if not for Christopher Reeve’s outstanding portrayal of Superman, it would undoubtedly be due to John Williams’ masterful composition. The powerful marches, devotion to brass instruments, and gentle melodies crafted by John Williams create a captivating collection of themes that beautifully depict a superhero who cherishes the world and Lois Lane alike.

The extended stories such as ‘The Flying Sequence’ present a convincing skybound romance, whereas ‘Turning Back the World’ embodies profound sorrow and fury for a man with time-rewinding powers. However, it’s the Prelude and Main Title March in Superman: The Movie that truly stands out, as it evokes a sound symbolic of Superman just like his iconic blue and red suit, to such an extent that it will reappear again in James Gunn’s Superman film on July 11, 2025.

2. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Anakin’s Fall is Tragically Told Through Williams’ Immense Choir

Track List
Star Wars and the Revenge of the Sith
Anakin’s Dream
Battle of the Heroes
Anakin’s Betrayal
General Grievous
Palpatine’s Teachings
Grievous and the Droids
Padme’s Ruminations
Anakin vs. Obi-Wan
Anakin’s Dark Deeds
Enter Lord Vader
The Immolation Scene
Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious
The Birth of the Twins and Padme’s Destiny
A New Hope and End Credits

John Williams made exceptional efforts for the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, and his work is frequently talked about, if not even more so than the films themselves. While John Williams created some of the finest orchestral music ever composed with Duel of the Fates, the superior soundtrack from the Prequel Trilogy is found in Revenge of the Sith. This score offers a greater emotional impact as it captures Anakin’s tragedy more effectively.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but be moved by the powerful symphony that underscores Anakin’s Dark Deeds in Star Wars. The booming choir and poignant brass instruments create an emotional rollercoaster that intensifies the heart-wrenching tale of a once-beloved hero’s downfall. Pair this with the epic Battle of the Heroes and the intense duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan, and you’ve got a sonic adventure that rivals the fight choreography for sheer exhilaration.

1. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

The Defining Sounds of Star Wars and a Villain Theme for the Ages

Track List
Star Wars (Main Theme)
Yoda’s Theme
The Training of a Jedi Knight
The Heroics of Luke and Han
The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)
Departure of Boba Fett
Han Solo and the Princess
Hyperspace
The Battle in the Snow
The Asteroid Field
The City in the Clouds
Rebels at Bay
Yoda and the Force
The Duel
The Magic Tree
Lando’s Palace
Finale

John Williams’ Star Wars is universally acknowledged as the reigning monarch among movie scores, and it’s rare to find someone who can’t identify the famous Main Theme of Star Wars. However, when revisiting the series for its sequel, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, more profound themes emerged, such as The Imperial March, which gave Darth Vader a distinct and ominous theme that accompanied him with each step and breath.

Beyond just being intimidating, “The Empire Strikes Back” is equally enchanting due to its fiery portrayal of love. The enigmatic Yoda and the Force exude captivation and magic, while the narrative unfolds a brave love story between Han Solo and the Princess. This tale of affection unfurls amidst the backdrop of conflict, presenting a delicate balance of tenderness and innocence within the war.

Read More

2025-01-08 16:36