OFFICIAL John Williams Top Ten Cue List

[crumbs 14,287]

1. The Reunion (A.I. OST)

2. Journey to the Island (Jurassic Park OST)

3. Theme from Schindler's List (Schindler's List OST)

4. You Are The Pan (Hook OST)

5. Across the Stars (AOTC OST)

[Joel 0]

Hi everyone. I'm a long time reader, very occasional poster.

Thought i'd reply to this.

Confluence - Memoirs of a Geisha (I really think this is some of the most beautiful music i've ever heard)

The Search For The Blue Fairy - A.I. (As an aspiring young writer, for some reason this peice inspires me more than any other)

Auschwitz-Birkenau - Schindler's List ( Terrifying scene, with brilliant music to match, just so haunting)

The Asteroid Field - The Empire Strikes Back (I truly believe this to be the most brilliant action cue in film history)

Remembering Childhood - Hook (Pure magic)

The was difficult, but i'm happy with my choices.

Bye all

[King Mark 3,624]

1-The Rebel Fleet/End Title: -ESB Special Edition

2-The Visitors/Bye/End title/the Special Edition -Close Encounters Collector's Edition

3-Harry's Wondrous World-Chamber of Secrets

4-Final Duel/Into the Death Star -Return of the Jedi-Anthology Disk 3

5-Adventures on Earth-E.T. Original Release

K.M.

[DarthHornPlayer 0]

5. Among The Clouds ALWAYS (This is why we play the horn!)

4. Anakin's Betrayal ROTS (one of the most important parts of the entire

Star Wars, and JW comes through big time!)

3. Across the Stars AOTC (JW knows how to write sweeping melodies!)

2. Buckbeak's Flight HP POA (See a pattern here?)

1. You are the Pan HOOK (The best 1 minute 25 seconds of music ever written for movies!

DHP

@()

[orrakul 0]

This is a great idea, Joe. I have until the end of May to decide, so I'm going to take my time. Trouble is that I like pretty much every cue mentioend so far...

[Genius_Gone_Insane 5]

What defines best cue? Isn't it about how well it fits the film? The cues that made you sh*t in your pants when you were seeing a great scene of a movie? If that's the case, then there are 2 that are clearly heads above the rest:

1) Journey to the Island JP

2) Escape, Chase, Saying Goodbye ET

BTW I'm shocked at how many of you agree about how awesome the Asteroid Field is!!

And I know that I broke the rules, I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I'll post my five later.

EDIT: HERE ARE MY FIVE, IN ORDER

1) Journey to the Island (JP OST)

2) Escape, Chase, Saying Goodbye (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: 20th Anniversary)

3) Ben's Death - TIE Fighter Attack (ANH 4 disc 1993 release)

4) The Asteroid Field (ESB 4 disc 1993 release)

5) Carbon Freeze - Luke Pursues The Capitives - Depature Of Boba Fett (ESB 4 disc 1993 release)

[Red 75]

This is pretty much impossible for me to answer.

[JMan 0]

#1 Adventures on Earth (from ET)

#2 Ark Theme/Raiders March End Credits (from Raiders of the Lost Ark)

#3 Harry's Wondrous World (From Harry Potter)

#4 Abandoned in the Woods(From AI)

#5 Finale and Tale of Victor Navorski (Terminal)

[futuremartymcfly 0]

so are the results being tallied yet?

[stuttersteps 1]

1. Prelude and Main Title - Superman (2-CD Rhino)

2. The Duel (aka Clash of the Lightsabers) - The Empire Strikes Back (OST)

3. Adventures on Earth - E.T. (OST)

4. Early Days, Massapequa, 1957 - Born on the Fourth of July (OST)

5. The Land Race - Far & Away

[WellOfSouls 1]

Phew, tough choice. I didn't want to pick the obvious selections, but so many of them belong on a list like this.

1. Prelude and Main Title (Superman, Rhino 2-disc)

2. Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye (E.T., 20th Anniversary Edition)

3. The Battle of Hoth (The Empire Strikes Back, Special Edition)

4. Remembering Childhood (Hook)

5. Journey to the Island (Jurassic Park)

[Sandor 796]

1. Flying (E.T.)

2. Star Wars Main Title (Star Wars original 1977 soundtrack)

3. Raiders Of The Lost Ark (Raiders soundtrack, 1981 version, first track)

4. The Imperial March (ESB)

5. Theme from Schindler's List (SL soundtrack)

(And Joe; I know you won't count it, but I really wanted to include the extended version of The Throne Room And Finale, but since it doesn't appear in that form on a soundtrack (only re-recordings and not counting ROTS) I didn't know if it was eligible.)

(And Joe part 2; did you already put your top 5 in this thread (I'm lazy I know)? Interested to see what our longest running JW fan has chosen! )

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Isn't KM a longer running JWFan?

(though he did dissapear for nearly a year....)

[Hitch 57]

1. Theme from Sabrina.

2. Theme from Nixon.

3. Theme from Stanley & Iris.

4. Theme from The Accidental Tourist.

5. Theme from The River.

6. Theme from Checkmate.

7. Theme from Heartbeeps.

8. Theme from Penelope.

9. Theme from Images.

10. Theme from Star Trek: Voyager (Ed: That's enough references, Hitch)

[Sandor 796]

I meant John Williams fan; not JWFan fan...

[Sephiroth 0]

1: Luke And Leia - ROTJ

2: Finale - End Credits - ESB

3: The Map Room: Dawn - ROTLA

4: Anakin´s Betrayal ROTS

5: You Are The Pan - Hook

I have seen many votes for Harry´s wondrous world. I never really understood it by my self.

[Quintus 5,399]

1. ET Escape/Chase/Saying Farewell

2. Prelude/Main Title - Superman

3. Journey to the island - Jurassic Park

4. The Throne Room/End titles - Star Wars

5. The Asteroid Field - Film version

[fommes 153]

Remembrances from Schindler's List (Instrumental - track 4)

Slave Children's Crusade from Temple of Doom

Double Trouble from Prisoner of Azkaban

Duel of the Fates from The Phantom Menace

Everybody Runs from Minority Report

[Bostonpiano 0]

I realize the cut-off for this thread (which I just found today, June 24th...hey, no fair) was June 1st, but I've yet to see---unless I'm missing something--the final tally. SO, here goes... and I know I, too, would have included "Fawkes the Phoenix" "Journey to the Island" and "Asteroid Field" for all their 'splendor,' but I'll try to list some nostalgic, personal favorites based on what I think are outstanding arrangements and pieces of music that stand not only 'on their own' but 'the test of time.' ... and in no particular order to me...

Meeting in Sicily (from "Monsignor," for those without the LP, this is similar but more lyrical, to Jedi's "Forrest Battle" concert piece.)

The Big Rescue (from "Superman," accompanied the build-up to and includes helicopter-rescue sequence; remembering 1978 viewing

on the big screen for this one and all the excitement of the theme heard in the theater.)

Dracula's Death (from "Dracula," a hauntingly powerful theme for a powerful --though campy-- ending to the film.)

Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra (from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," an all-out fun theme...)

Finale and End Titles (from "The Empire Strikes Back," I'm a professional pianist, and back in 1980-81 I learned this by ear, and still

consider it one of the more fulfilling end titles scored by John Williams.

Sure, I could have included "Harry's Wonderous World" from Chamber of Secrets, or Abduction of Barry (CE3K) for its dissonance and horror, any cue from "A New Hope," "Jaws," "E.T." or "Hook," or even any beautiful theme... like "Sabrina," "Hymn for the Fallen," "Schindler's List," "The Fury," "The River," even "Monsignor." Of course any of the marches, "Raiders," "1941," "Superman" and the beautiful "Witches of Eastwick." The debate will go on... and long live The Man!

Steven Higgs

[JoeinAR 1,949]

since we've had an overwhelming response, I think we can extend this till the beg of Aug or Sept.

[skyy38 21]

Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner

Ben Kenobi's Death/Tie Fighter Attack The Battle of Yavin __________________ Star Wars SE

The Imperial March__________________ The Empire Strikes Back SE

Main Title__________________________ The Towering Inferno(any)

[Genius_Gone_Insane 5]

Can we give "Into the Trap" (Return of the Jedi OST) an honorable mention?

[JoeinAR 1,949]

NO Roald, I have not put mine in yet.

Im waiting for more responses.

[duringtheafter 0]

I love so many cues, but these are the ones that, over the years, keep popping back into my head at random times and have me humming (in my head or out loud) for days and days.

Asteroid Field (Empire Strikes Back OST)

Into the Trap (Return of the Jedi OST)

Born on the Fourth of July (Main Title OST)

The Hunt (The Lost World OST)

Keyes Arrives (from "Far From Home - E.T. Alone"; ET OST)

[kevynova 0]

I've been visiting this wonderful site for a long time now, but this is my first time posting.

1. Escape/Chase/etc... - ET 20th Anniversary

2. The Rebel Fleet/End Title - The Empire Strikes Back SE

3. Love Theme - Superman (2 disc Rhino)

4. The Immolation Scene - Revenge Of The Sith

5. The Map Room: Dawn - Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Man, this would have been easier if you wanted our top 50 cues!!!

[pixie_twinkle 48]

My favourites change on a regular basis, but here they are as of right now:

#1-The Asteroid Field (ESB)

#2-The Ballroom/Balloon scene (Witches of Eastwick)

#3-Arlington (JFK)

#4-The Ancestral Home (The River)

#5-For Gillian (The Fury, original release)

[robthehand 3]

EDIT: see my post later in the thread.

[tpigeon 3]

It's nice to see the Ballroom scene on some people's lists. I don't even remember my Top 5, but I remember being strongly contemplating putting it on there. It's just gorgeous.

Ted

[Dr.ZacharySmith 0]

Ah...! So many wonderful JW cues...how to choose??? I love them all but my heart was forever touched by JW's final section of music for the Lost In Space episode, "My Friend, Mr. Nobody."

[crocodile 7,978]

1. The Visitors/Bye/End Title (Close Encounters Collector's Edition)

2. Rescue from Cloud City - Hyperspace (The Empire Strikes Back 1997 edition)

3. The Map Room: Dawn (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

4. The Flying Sequence (Superman: The Movie - Rhino)

5. Trio - The Meeting (Jane Eyre)

Karol

[Jacck 23]

Very hard to choose, but here we go:

1. The Arrival of Tink/Flight to Neverland (Hook OST)

2. Harry's Wondrous World (HP:SS OST)

3. Theme from Sabrina

4. Zam the Assasin and The Chase Through Courscant (Star Wars Ep .2 OST)

5. Mr. DNA (Unreleased - Jurassic Park)

I've missed off so many great cues! =(

[RandS 0]

1.Anakin's Betrayal (ROTS)

2.Angela's Theme (Angela's Ashes (very overlooked, few have seen the movie)

3.The Asteroid Field (ESB)

4.Anakin's Theme (TPM)

5.The Immolation Scene (ROTS)

Surprised that no one has put up Anakin's theme from The Phantom Menace. Wonderful little piece of music that starts out with the cheery youthfulness of Anakin, yet maintains an ominous brooding sense of foreboding. The wailing strings at the end that lead into a melancholy version of the first frase of Vader's theme are wonderful. Top it off with a couple of breaths from Vader in the last couple of bars and you have one of Williams' little masterpieces imo.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

It's nice to see so many responses for this thread, especially from people we don't hear from much/at all. Any time frame for this, Joe?

Ray Barnsbury - in no rush, but curious about the final results

[tylernugent 0]

1. The most popular track from Close Encounters (finale?)

2. Across the Stars from Attack of the Clones

3. Journey to the Island from Jurassic Park (the cue that began my obsession with JW and film music in general)

4. The Rebel Fleet, End Title from The Empire Strikes Back

5. Harry's Wondrous World from Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (why does everyone prefer the original with the anticlimactic ending?)

[Wesley 0]

1. Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale (Attack of the Clones OST)

2. Journey to the Island (Jurassic Park OST; I know it's getting boring but I'm happy that so many members share my opinion about this track)

3. Where dreams are born (A.I. OST)

4. Exsultate Justi (Empire of the Sun OST)

5. The visitors/by/end titles (Close Encounters of the third kind)

If I would have post this list yesterday or tomorrow or on any other day, it would have looked different. It's just so difficult-impossible- to make only five all time favorites...

Wesley

[ChrisDoucette 0]

TOP 2 Favorite cues of all time.

Journey to the Island - Jurassic Park

Leaving the Island & End Credits - Jurassic Park

--

The rest are just a few memorable cues.

The Asteroid Field - The Empire Strikes Back

Luke and Leia - Return of the Jedi

Farewell Neverland & Finale - Hook

[robthehand 3]

I can't remember if I've posted in this thread. If I have, just ignore this:

1. The Fury - "Gillian's Power"

2. Close Encounters of the Third Kind - "The Visitors/Bye/End Titles"

3. The Witches of Eastwick - "The Ballroom Scene"

4. The Empire Strikes Back - "Rescue from Cloud City/Hyperspace"[

5. The Towering Inferno - "Main Title"

And honourable mentions to:

Superman - The Movie - "The Trip to Earth"

Jaws - "Blown to Bits"

[Greg1138 3]

Not sure why I've never posted in this thread....a poor oversight on my part...I thought I had, but obviously not.....

Okee dokee.....

Adventures on Earth (ET - duh!)

Main Title (Star Wars - Anthology version)

Prelude/Main Title March (Superman)

Main Title - The River

Main Title - The Fury

[Joe Brausam 214]

1. Born on the Fourth of July OST - End Titles

2. ET - Adventures on Earth

3. Nixon OST - The 1960'S: The Turbulent Years

4. JFK OST - Finale

5. Empire Strikes Back '97 RCA - The Rebel Fleet/End Title

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Joe, are you ever going to do anything with this?

[futuremartymcfly 0]

He's probably just waiting for the day we won't have to update this list ever again.

[ChuckM 1]

Scherzo For Motorcycle And Orchestra (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade)

Duel Of The Fates (Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace)

Buckbeak's Flight (Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban)

The Patriot (The Patriot)

The Tale of Viktor Mavorski (The Terminal)

[the_WiZ 0]

1 - The Visitors - Bye - End Titles. Close Encounters

2 - Journey to the Island. Jurassic Park

3 - The Planet Krypton. Superman

4 - The Asteroid Field. Empire strikes Back

5 - Scherzo For Motorcycle And Orchestra. Last Crusade

/the WiZ

[Farawyn 0]

A VERY difficult question to answer to ! But I listen most often to :

1. Sean's Theme (Minority Report)

2. Remembrances (Schindler's List)

3. Love Theme from Superman (Superman : The Movie)

4. Hymn to he Fallen (Saving Private Ryan)

5. The Asteroid Field (The Empire Strikes Back)

[Sixers 0]

1. The Visitors/"Bye"/End Titles (The Special Edition) - Close Encounters

2. Battle of Hoth - Empire Strikes Back

3. Barnstorming - Close Encounters

4. The Battle of Yavin - Star Wars

5. The Poseidon Adventure (End Credits) - The Poseidon Adventure

[nivare 0]

Prologue - Hook

Hook-napped - Hook

Indy's Very First Adventure - IJLC

Slave Childrens Crusade - IJTD

Map Room - Dawn - RLA

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Closing date for this was almost nine months ago.

Might as well get this thing off the top of the page.

[Red 75]

It will fade away if it [this thread] stays here.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

yeah I forgot all about it.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

1. AOTC-across the stars

2. SPR-hymn to the fallen

3. SL - theme

4. WotW-

-edited