ChuckM 1 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 It occurred to me recently that John Williams has worked on a ton of projects about or related to World War II. He would have been seven years old when it started and thirteen when it ended, so it obviously would have made quite an impression on him as a child. Since the very beginning of his career 1976, there has not been more than a six five year span where he hasn't done something on the subject.1956 - South Pacific (Piano Performer)1961 - The Guns of Navarone (Additional Orchestration)1965 - None But the Brave1971 - Fiddler on the Roof (Score Adaptation)1976 - Midway1979 - 19411981 - Raiders of the Lost Ark1985 - Amazing Stories - "The Mission"1987 - Empire of the Sun1989 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade1993 - Schindler's List1998 - Saving Private Ryan1999 - American Journey - "The Country at War"2005 - Memoirs of a Geisha2008 - A Timeless CallHave I missed any?Edit: Apparently I was confused. It seems that Fiddler on the Roof is not set during WWII, so scratch that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Brausam 203 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Fiddler has nothing to do with WW2 though. In fact, it's supposed to be set in the EARLY 1900s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compos24 0 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Fiddler has nothing to do with WW2 though. In fact, it's supposed to be set in the EARLY 1900s.Thank you...my brain crashed when I saw that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckM 1 Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Really? I've only seen half of it once a long time ago, and I could have sworn I saw Germans walking around with lugers...Oh well. Scratch that one then. The basic point still applies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compos24 0 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Really? I've only seen half of it once a long time ago, and I could have sworn I saw Germans walking around with lugers...Oh well. Scratch that one then. The basic point still applies.Perhaps you're thinking of "The Sound of Music"...nothing with Williams involved, I think. I don't remember if he did any studio playing on the recording... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 152 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 A Timeless Call is related to WWII? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,519 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Timeless Call is certainly not specifically focused on the WWII. It is about American veterans in general, from past and recent wars. It touches upon WWII in passing but focuses more on the recent wars.I guess Williams has by chance been involved with films that deal with the subject of WWII from very different angles. Interesting notion though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie 45 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Where's that "i don't like where this is going" pic when you need it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 152 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I think it also has to do with Spielberg's fascination with the subject. 8/14 of those listed are by Spielberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Quite a few composers have tackled WWII or subject matter related to that era, Goldsmith had his share.PattonTora Tora Tora!MacArthurIn Harms WayVon Ryan's ExpressThe Boys From BrazilCaboblancoIslands In The StreamMorituri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 85 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Quite a few composers have tackled WWII or subject matter related to that era, Goldsmith had his share.PattonTora Tora Tora!MacArthurIn Harms WayVon Ryan's ExpressThe Boys From BrazilCaboblancoIslands In The StreamMorituriGoldsmith is of Jewish origin, as is Spielberg. They may feel more emotionally connected to the subject.Seven Years in Tibet, isn't it also set during WWII? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,442 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Seven Years in Tibet, isn't it also set during WWII?Yes. I think the moral of the story is that there are just a large number of high-profile movies set in the time period of the Second World War, to which Williams and other high-profile composers became attached. There are any number of reasons why so many WWII movies have been made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Brausam 203 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Goldsmith is of Jewish origin, as is Spielberg. They may feel more emotionally connected to the subject.Seven Years in Tibet, isn't it also set during WWII?It is indeed. I think the war begins during the hike and that is why they are detained when they reach the bottom of the mountain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,284 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I always thought 'Amerian journey: the country at war' referered to the american civil war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckM 1 Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 I always thought 'Amerian journey: the country at war' referered to the american civil war.I could be wrong, but the impression I've always gotten from it was that it just represents America at war in general. In other words it would encompass all the wars that America has become involved in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob 0 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,442 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 God, I miss Troy McClure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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