Best 20 secs. (or so) of JW's music as heard in film?

[ABez 0]

Another variation on the 'Best of JW' question...

What do people think is the best 'snippet' (15/20 secs. or so) of JW's music as heard in a film? I'm interested, too, in folks' reasons for selecting the piece. Is it to do with the way the music works with what is on screen or is it because the music completely overtakes/dominates the pictures?

Andrew, UK

[Lurker 5]

The last :28 seconds of "Gillian's Power" from The Fury. It fits this scene perfectly and is a grand climax to the film and score. I've seen this part of the film compared to an orgasm, and who wouldn't like that?

Neil

[Adam 1]

This gets me thinking about all JW's finales. There are dozens of good selections for this thread just from the last 20 seconds or so of his movies. For example, the finale to Spacecamp is a favorite. Most people probably haven't seen the movie but I love the way he scores the landing of the spaceshuttle. He captures the overall triumph of the moment as well as the more specific quick visual moments of the first wheel screeching down and the rest of the spaceshuttle rolling onto the runway. It gives me goosebumps when I watch that.

Within the movie, Born on the 4th of July when Kovic hits a homerun, Stanley and Iris when Stanley is narrating his letter to Iris towards the end of the movie. Tons of others but I can't really say which is the best or even my favorite.

- Adam

[nja 0]

Flying sequence in E.T.

[King Mark 3,975]

it always comes down to this one:

The chorus and orchestra part when Luke overpowers Vader in Return of the Jedi(final Duel,but that part of it specifically).

K.M.Who's favourite score is not RotJ,although it contains some of the best Williams bits.

[IrishCal24 0]

Often, the parts that stand out for me are during the quieter moments of the score. Perfect examples are the flute solo in the final minute of E.T. as the grate on the ship closes and the creepy cue when the children first enter the Forbidden Forest in the first Potter film. Actually, going back to E.T., that entire final minute before the credits roll is just about as perfect a moment as possible in regards to how it plays in the film.

Another great bit, as heard in the movie, is that part of The Throne Room from Star Wars when you hear the troops? footsteps as they all turn to face the front. The sound is so well synched with the score that it almost seems as though it should be heard on the CD as well.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Although its a little longer than 20 seconds in total. I would say the main SW opening music. Especially the first 30 seconds of it. Unbelieveably powerful stuff.

[Trumpeteer 304]

I agree with IrishCal and Rogue Leader.

But number one in my book would have to be the rendition of the love theme when Artoo opens the door in The Empire Strikes Back. Beautiful stuff.

[MrScratch 296]

A few spring to mind...

The SUPERMAN emblem blazing onto the screen with JWs awe inspiring music.

The climax of the Asteroid Field cue in ESB, with TIE Fighters spinning out of control and exploding. The music is thrilling and matches it perfectly.

In ROTJ, the fanfare when we see the Rebel Fleet, led by Lando, preparing to make the jump into Hyperspace.

[Dr. Jones 0]

Well I know that you just can hear it in the End Credits of "The Empire Strikes Back", but I`d say :

The last half minute of the TESB Finale (after Han Solo and the Princess). Just the greatest ending I 've ever heard!

Rebel Fleet and Finale

[MSM 194]

Thinking of those passages which me really gave me the thrills down my spine there a few:

- Jurassic Park, when the helicopter reaches the shores of the Island (in Journey to the Island);

- Jurassic Park, when the theme is played fully for the first time (with the brachiosaur; in Journey to the Island);

- Harry Potter PS, Hedwig's flight in the snow (in A Change of Season);

- Hook, this swashbuckling theme heard when Hook shows his hook just before this fight with rufio and peter pan, it's not on the official cd;

- Last Crusade: the part with the (terribly bad recorded) chorus when Indy finds out how to walk along the Path of God;

- The "Use the Force" part when Luke has to hit the reactor flying in the central trench of the Death Star;

- And this one:

The chorus and orchestra part when Luke overpowers Vader in Return of the Jedi(final Duel,but that part of it specifically).

[Justin 2]

Elliot's First Kiss.

Justin -

[Elmo Lewis 7]

The SUPERMAN emblem blazing onto the screen with JWs awe inspiring music.

I'd have to go with "Helicopter Rescue", the moment Superman holds the falling helicopter with one hand while having Lois in the other, and the march sounds its best.

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

To many to name... But of latelly, I would say that the opening of Angela's Ashes is just marvelous... And the rest of the score too!

[MrScratch 296]

The SUPERMAN emblem blazing onto the screen with JWs awe inspiring music.

I'd have to go with "Helicopter Rescue", the moment Superman holds the falling helicopter with one hand while having Lois in the other, and the march sounds its best.

Yeah, there are certainly an abundance of moments from Superman.

[Elmo Lewis 7]

I've seen this part of the film compared to an orgasm

I pity that poor guy's sex life.

[Omen II 1,300]

This one's a bit from left field, but how about the big crescendo at the end of The Poseidon Adventure, just before the end credits roll?

There is that marvellous big crescendo, key changes, tortured string writing, undulating ostinato...and to cap it all that little look round that Mr. Rosen (Jack Albertson's character) gives before stepping on to the helicopter that has come to rescue the six survivors. Perfect film scoring.

Ah, they don't make 'em like that any more! How I would love someone to rerecord this music in glorious digital stereo but do it PROPERLY, fer cryin' out loud, and not just put the first run through in the can.

banghead

Damien - snip, snip, snip

[Lurker 5]

I've seen this part of the film compared to an orgasm

I pity that poor guy's sex life.

Nick Redman states in his description of this piece in the Varese deluxe edition liner notes, "...finally inducing him in the ultimate orgasm..." and film critic Armond White in an interview discussing the film says, "Among the complexities in THE FURY, the ending of the film is an orgasm. But people don't want it. I mean, who doesn't want an orgasm?" You can read that interview here.

Neil

[Elmo Lewis 7]

Ok. Then it's two guys' sex lives I pity.

[UCFKevin 0]

When Clark runs across the street and opens his shirt to reveal the "S" in Superman: The Movie. Easily my most favorite moment in music history.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Ok. Then it's two guys' sex lives I pity.

why? an orgasm is just the end of good sex,

Good sex can last anywhere from 20 seconds, to 3 or 4 hours.

[EvanED 1]

"The chorus and orchestra part when Luke overpowers Vader in Return of the Jedi (final Duel,but that part of it specifically)."

I will second this, and add my own opinion others haven't seem to have said: the bit of "The Death of Jonathan Kent" beginning at 2:41

[Lurker 5]

Ok. Then it's two guys' sex lives I pity.

Be careful what you say, you never know who reads this board or who you may be insulting.

Neil

[Elmo Lewis 7]

Well, I can and will apologize to anyone who takes it as a real insult.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

I agree with IrishCal and Rogue Leader.

But number one in my book would have to be the rendition of the love theme when Artoo opens the door in The Empire Strikes Back. Beautiful stuff.

OH yeah that is AWESOME!!!!

Right as they are getting into the Falcon with the Stormtroopers in hot pursuit correct?

[JoeinAR 1,957]

when Kirk tells the other that he and McCoy have to do this, the rest of you do not. Oh wait thats the best 20 seconds of James Horner. Where Horner catches everything that is great about Star Trek in that 20 seconds or so.

[King Mark 3,975]

Ok. Then it's two guys' sex lives I pity.

Be careful what you say, you never know who reads this board or who you may be insulting.

Neil

We have to worry about insulting ...Silent Readers ?

K.M.

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

Good sex can last ...... 3 or 4 hours.

:oops: roman :oops:

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

I have seen a very little number of movies with JW's music (about 15) and I don't rememebre many moments, but the two that stuck in my mind are, like MSM mentioned before me, the approaching the island scene from Jurassic Park and especially the goodbye scene from Angela's Ashes with those heart-breaking heavy strings when young Frank watches his father leaving the home. Oh dear! And anything in Schindler's List.

And also, and again, the goodbyes from Seven Years in Tibet at the rail station, if I remember correctly the ten or fifteen seconds with cellos when Brad Pitt departs. But it's been years since I last saw it so I don't remember it that well.

Roman, who apparently needs to watch Star Wars finally.-)

[AMVANQUISH007 1]

How about the 20 sec bit in Towering Inferno where the Tower lights up Track 7, I believe ,on the expanded score, which could also be used as a studio intro piece like the Fox intro

[jasonblueeyes 0]

How about:

The Freezing of Han in Empire with that Imperial theme blaring.

The Statue Of Liberty cue from Superman Flying sequence.

The bi-plane flying into the sunset from Raiders' opening (My All Time favorite use of the indy Theme).

Young Indy running from the circus train in Last Crusade

The transition from young indy to older indy in Last Crusade

Schindler departing in his car at the end of Schindler's List (Goosebump Stuff).

[Hector J. Guzman 1]

I absolutely love it when Rufio recognizes Banning as Peter Pan in Hook. The music is amazing.

Hector - and his Home Alone post. (that is, no. 1990)

[UCFKevin 0]

You might think the sex is good after hour 4, but the person you're with might be bored as hell. Not all women love long sessions.

[TIEfighter 0]

IMO the most beatiful moment is in Schindler´s List where Itzhak Stern realizes that Schindler is paying for each human (Perlman starts to play the remembrances theme on his violin)

[Albaicin 0]

1. The final sequences in 'E.T'

2. The 'Carbon Freeze' from TESB

3. The 'Flying Sequence' in 'Superman'

4. The 'I Could Have done More' scene from 'Schindler's List'

5. Any of the underwater scenes from 'Jaws'

6. 'Flight to Neverland' in 'Hook'

7. 'Miracle of the Ark' in ROTLA

[King Mark 3,975]

When the parts of the shark sink in Jaws after he's blown up,there's this beautiful harp playing...

K.M.

[hitman20 0]

Best John Williams 20 seconds portions:

*Majority of Harry Potter (Sorcerer's Stone) did it for me, but more specifically (The Track- Arrival of Baby Harry on The Score) when Hagrid lies Harry on the Dursley's step and the music begins to take a melancholy state just as Hagrid feels sad, then the camera suddenly zooms in on Harry's scar and the entire orchestra comes in (One of the best variations of Hedwig's theme I might add)

*In Harry Potter (Sorcerer's Stone), when Ron makes the final move in the chess game.

*In Harry Potter (Chamber of Secrets) where Harry Potter is thrown out of Tom Riddle's diary.

*Even though there a lot of John Williams greats, I have to add the beginning of Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life as one of the best openers. The Opening is longer than 20 seconds, but it is very enjoyable and the movie has a great score to go along with it. Great job Silvestri!

[hitman20 0]

Oh and the rotating horns portion of the Matrix opening-its a great effect. I also gotta give Don Davis his props for it!

[Melange 448]

My list 'could' be as long as Bin Laden's Beard. Because i often like tiny little snippets the most. So many to choose from and i dont have my JW cd's on hand to tell anyone the exact positions. But a few that come to mind are....Not in any particular order of preference by the way. Just making a quick list.

A : The wonderful bit in Close Encounters where the 3 escape from the quarantine helicopter and run across the field introducing each other while charging up the field.

B : That part in Immolation where the heavy choral descends. It sends chills up my spine EVERY time. And of course the imagery in the film was apocalyptic.

C : Those final parts of Hedwigs Theme. Such a explosion of a frenzied and triumphant finale.

D : A wonderful part in Adventures on Earth. Can't say exactly where. But one particular section which puts a lump in my throat everytime i listen to it. A real section of aching heart and sweeping romance. I mentioned it to Mari once. Very Wagnerian in style.

Oh there are so many more. But i'm nowhere near my JW collection to say their locations in scores.

[stewdog1 50]

I'm not going to to repeat what has been said, but I'm going to add one of my favorite parts of ESB.

At the beginning of the movie when Luke uses the force to call his lightsaber, and you hear the force theme slowly come in and then when he de-arms the ice dude. Just great because it is the first time the force had been used in that way in the SW films.

[King Mark 3,975]

(The Track- Arrival of Baby Harry on The Score) when Hagrid lies Harry on the Dursley's step and the music begins to take a melancholy state just as Hagrid feels sad, then the camera suddenly zooms in on Harry's scar and the entire orchestra comes in (One of the best variations of Hedwig's theme I might add)

Isn't it an alternate or edited passage in the movie that's missing the soaring rendition of the "family theme" that's in the album?

K.M.Who can't check but remembers he was annoyed that was cut.

[King Mark 3,975]

 

C : Those final parts of Hedwigs Theme. Such a explosion of a frenzied and triumphant finale.

Yes,but theres something wrong with...hmm,i have to check a few track marks and I'll make a new topic about this specific passage of music.

K.M.

[hitman20 0]

Kingmark wrote:

Isn't it an alternate or edited passage in the movie that's missing the soaring rendition of the "family theme" that's in the album?  

K.M.Who can't check but remembers he was annoyed that was cut.

*Well as far as the end, it is Hedwig's theme, but a lot of music was cut, I do know that for a fact. It could be part of the family theme even though I thought the Family theme was part of what was played at the end of The Track- Norwegian Ridgeback. About half way through the track (Arrival of Baby Harry) some of the music was used for a Coke commercial for the Sorcerers Stone, but it was cut from the movie.

*(Sorcerer's Stone) One of my favortive parts are when Harry goes to pick a wand, and picks the one he's destine to have and then it begins to glow over his head as the music comes in. It sucks that that part was cut from the soundtrack.

*(Sorcerer's Stone) When Ron uses the levitation spell to knock out the troll and the music subtly begins to fade out.

All great snippets of music!

[Melange 448]

Yes,but theres something wrong with.

Hehe. Does'nt matter. It sounds great to me. Same with the original Jaws release. The suite arrangements are often better than the original form released in later years (in my opinion)

[King Mark 3,975]

Well,I won't start a thread about it,but I think the "ending" of Hedwig's Theme(that starts with the trumpet flourishes) as Williams originally wrote it in the FIRST trailer of Sorcerer's Stone (the one with the narration)is much better than the version that ended up in the album version of Hedwig's Theme.For those of you who ``forgot``about it , listen to it on the DVD or something,the orchestrations are totally different and the theme is extended(wonderfully played on full strings and flutes with trumpet accents instead of all brass).

Anyway i think it`s more magical and surreal and I keep a recording of it (with the SFX) on my HP compilation c.d.

And that version is unique and has not been used in the movie.

more percicely:

First trailer 0.44-End

vs.

Hedwig's Theme:4.18-4.47(not counting the woodwind phrase added at the end)

K.M.Who also remembers a wonderful version of A.I.'s Blue Fairie theme in a TV spot for the movie he can't find anymore.

[Trumpeteer 304]

I just re-discovered about 15 seconds of wonderful JW music in "Nixon." If you have the CD, listen to track 6, 1:44-1:58. I believe this could be identified as the theme for Nixon's brother, and it's absolutely beautiful. The strings play it perfectly throughout the score, but here it gets its best playing. When I heard it while casually listening to it this weekend, I had to rewind and play it at least three times.

I couldn't tell you where in the film it's played. Possibly in the scene where Nixon's older brother (played by the lovely Tony Goldwyn) is about to die.

Jeff

[Johnny 0]

I cant remember exactly, but:

Star Wars II: attack of the clones

Confrontation With Count Dooku

When the Imperial March begins in all its glory, but specifically when the entire orchestras involved (strings etc.) and then the merging with Across the Stars - gives me goosebumps everytime!

[King Mark 3,975]

In A.I.

There's this little bit of Monica's Theme introduced by a vibraphone solo when David is first "activated" after she reads the words on the chart.

(Promo disk 2,track 6 at 2.52)

K.M.

[Justin 2]

How about when the brass kicks in right at the peak of Love Theme From Superman? That is such an awesome bit.

Justin

[ridan 0]

Mine is probably Tinkerbell's theme on treack 6 of the official CD (at 1:48). Very beutiful