Music By John Williams (2024 Documentary film) - previously Steven Spielberg is Making a John Williams Documentary

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

1 hour ago, BB-8 said:

Haven't seen the docu yet but this suggests that the all-dead joke was told?

Imagine the discussion it would've generated here if it hadn't been included!

 

It would be like a Rodney Dangerfield documentary without his best "no respect" jokes...

 

"I tell you, I get no respect! When I was born, I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother!"

 

 

[Davis 3,135]

So John Williams considers Yoda's Theme one of his best work. Couldn't agree more, it's a magical piece, and so great that he loves it so much. JW was at his absolute best 1975 to 1984, everything he wrote during that period is fantastic, especially Star Wars (and Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T. and CEotTK)).

[SebRobondo 2]

I had put this on my calendar and forgotten about. I was so happy when I saw the notification yesterday, went to Disney+ and there it was. A truly amazing documentary, although a rather short one. They should've made it a miniseries, with one episode for each decade of his life as soon as he started getting into music. That would've been too much to ask, but at the very least, they should've made it the three episode run that is common for documentaries these days.

[mrbellamy 6,795]

1 hour ago, Davis said:

So John Williams considers Yoda's Theme one of his best work. Couldn't agree more, it's a magical piece, and so great that he loves it so much. JW was at his absolute best 1975 to 1984, everything he wrote during that period is fantastic, especially Star Wars (and Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T. and CEotTK)).

 

When he mentioned "the over the moon theme" as among those he was most creatively proud of, do we think he actually meant "Over the Moon" specifically rather than the more famous flying theme as the doc illustrated? I guess it doesn't really matter.

[pete 993]

16 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

 

When he mentioned "the over the moon theme" as among those he was most creatively proud of, do we think he actually meant "Over the Moon" specifically rather than the more famous flying theme as the doc illustrated? I guess it doesn't really matter.

 

I think he means the flying theme as he often mentioned the flying over the moon scene.

 

Other highlights from the doc. for me: every time Williams smiles with a twinkle in his eye. I just love seeing him laugh and smile. 

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

31 minutes ago, pete said:

Other highlights from the doc. for me: every time Williams smiles with a twinkle in his eye. I just love seeing him laugh and smile. 

My favourite such moment was when he recounted previewing the Jaws theme for Spielberg.

 

Favourite moments from other participants:

 

Kate Capshaw on hearing the Schindler's List theme for the first time (made me tear up), and Chris Martin fanboying over E.T. (made me smile).

 

And me applauding.

 

 

 

[Marian Schedenig 9,151]

3 hours ago, Quintus said:

Some of us were aware of the Boston Pops fallout, right? I remember watching an unusual interview with JW about it from the time it happened.

 

It's an old story, yes. I'm just not sure if the bit about it all escalating because of America, the Dream Goes On is true or just a rumour (and I haven't seen the documentary yet, so I don't know what exactly they say).

[mrbellamy 6,795]

They just play a news report from 1984 which says generally that orchestra members were displeased with Williams's musical selections, booing and hissing and such, unruliness. And present-day Williams reflecting on it, but not mentioning any specific pieces that triggered them. 

[Andy 5,215]

58 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

 

Kate Capshaw on hearing the Schindler's List theme for the first time (made me tear up)

 

I couldn’t help but wonder if the theme John played was Remembrances rather than the Theme from Schindler’s List.  I can’t recall how it is documented, but wasn’t Remebrances originally going to be THE theme?

[crumbs 14,904]

9 hours ago, Andy said:

But his reaction to the E.T. Clip on his phone felt authentic.  So while most people saw a rockstar, I saw a kid much younger than me vibing on JW in a real way. 

 

And a small detail I noticed on his phone: he has the LLL version of E.T., which surely demonstrates how big a fan he is.

 

[mrbellamy 6,795]

Apparently it's Bouzereau's phone 

 

Quote

Another moment that really meant a lot to me and spoke to John's timeless nature was when Daryl Frank, who was one of my producers, suggested that I interview Chris Martin of the band Coldplay, because he comes on to the stage with [the E.T. score]. And I brought my iPhone and I give it to him. I said, ‘Okay, react.’ And he's like, ‘What am I gonna say?’ I said, ‘I just want to see you react.’ And that was just so – you saw a man I never met before become a kid in front of me, and I think that moment of real emotion and real, you know, sincere evaluation of what music can do was priceless.

 

[Tallguy 4,567]

2 hours ago, mrbellamy said:

When he mentioned "the over the moon theme" as among those he was most creatively proud of, do we think he actually meant "Over the Moon" specifically rather than the more famous flying theme as the doc illustrated? I guess it doesn't really matter.

 

2 hours ago, pete said:

I think he means the flying theme as he often mentioned the flying over the moon scene.

 

I think he means Over the Moon. There's a whole section of the doc talking about how complex it was and how much time the piano player needed to practice.

[crumbs 14,904]

9 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

Apparently it's Bouzereau's phone 

 

Good catch! Well no surprise Bouzerau is an LLL customer (though it's possible he gets promos).

 

Funny how the article mentions the only thing Williams vetoed for this doco was performing the unused 5-note motifs from Close Encounters on piano, yet he shared the sketchbook with them all written out instead.

 

Maybe he didn't think fans would be desperate enough to mock them up

[mrbellamy 6,795]

Haha possibly, or he just felt like if somebody wants to go that far, leave it to them. 

[Miguel Andrade 1,381]

3 hours ago, mrbellamy said:

They just play a news report from 1984 which says generally that orchestra members were displeased with Williams's musical selections, booing and hissing and such, unruliness. And present-day Williams reflecting on it, but not mentioning any specific pieces that triggered them. 

 

What is heard seems to be a read through from one of the Boston Globe articles about what was going on at the time. Back then, and even years later, when asked Williams provided very little information on the topic.

Lack of discipline and respect from orchestra members was the main reason, and there is a television interview from around that time where he is seen complaining with the orchestra during the rehearsal of Varsity Drag. But what apparently broke the camel's back was indeed that kind of attitude during the rehearsal of his own piece.

By the way, back in 1984, several musicians were supportive of Williams. And at least one BSO veteran, while praising Williams for his artistry at the podium, tried to deflect any responsibility from the orchestra, making it sound that he just wanted to get out of the job.

Should be mentioned that, by the time the contract was first revised, in 1982, rumour was that Williams wanted to leave the Pops for a more serious and prestigious conducting position.

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

"Okay, react."

 

So that's how Bouzereau gets those reactions! Genius!

 

16 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

Should be mentioned that, by the time the contract was first revised, in 1982, rumour was that Williams wanted to leave the Pops for a more serious and prestigious conducting position.

 

The plot thickens...

[p0llux 432]

 

I liked his golf swing.

[Jurassic Shark 13,360]

2 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

Should be mentioned that, by the time the contract was first revised, in 1982, rumour was that Williams wanted to leave the Pops for a more serious and prestigious conducting position.

 

Common negotiation strategy. 

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

27 minutes ago, p0llux said:

 

I liked his golf swing.

He hit it clean. No divot.

[BB-8 4,047]

34 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

He hit it clean. No divot.

It's like that opening blast to Star Wars.

[Jurassic Shark 13,360]

1 hour ago, Mr. Hooper said:

He hit it clean. No divot.

 

I wonder how many takes it required. 

[Tom Guernsey 2,735]

8 hours ago, Andy said:

I couldn’t help but wonder if the theme John played was Remembrances rather than the Theme from Schindler’s List.  I can’t recall how it is documented, but wasn’t Remebrances originally going to be THE theme?

I believe it was that or he wrote both and Spielberg picked the one he liked best as the “main” theme. I seem to recall that, however it came about, JW’s preference was Remembrances. I can kind of see why, it’s more introspective and subtle than the main theme. I mean they are both beautiful and genuinely haunting pieces of music. I often say that one of his great, but less recognised talents, is writing secondary themes for scores that if they were by most other composers. they would be near enough the best thing they ever wrote. 

[Davis 3,135]

11 hours ago, mrbellamy said:

 

When he mentioned "the over the moon theme" as among those he was most creatively proud of, do we think he actually meant "Over the Moon" specifically rather than the more famous flying theme as the doc illustrated? I guess it doesn't really matter.

JW: When the bicycles reach escape velocity.

[Thor 8,504]

Someone should make a combined meme of Williams hitting that golf ball with the celebrity pitch he made at the Red Sox arena years ago. Williams, the athlete.

[Tallguy 4,567]

3 minutes ago, Thor said:

Someone should make a combined meme of Williams hitting that golf ball with the celebrity pitch he made at the Red Sox arena years ago. Williams, the athlete.

 

Remember: 1 hour of baseball practice meant 30 minutes of piano practice!

[Davis 3,135]

I wonder why Samantha Williams doesn’t speak in the docu. I’m sure it was deliberate, but why? Because of Barbara Ruick? Or Anne-Sophie Mutter? Or was/is she also in bad health?

It’s strange that his wife of 44 years doesn’t speak in a documentary on her husband and only appears in photos. 

[Alex 2,888]

7 minutes ago, Davis said:

I wonder why Samantha Williams doesn’t speak in the docu. I’m sure it was deliberate, but why? Because of Barbara Ruick? Or Anne-Sophie Mutter? Or was/is she also in bad health?

It’s strange that his wife of 44 years doesn’t speak in a documentary on her husband and only appears in photos. 

 

I think she just keeps out of the public eye. That´s why his daughter usually companies him to awards ceremonies, etc.

[Luke Skywalker 1,968]

13 hours ago, Andy said:

I couldn’t help but wonder if the theme John played was Remembrances rather than the Theme from Schindler’s List.  I can’t recall how it is documented, but wasn’t Remebrances originally going to be THE theme?

Since he played it at the piano it must have been something like the "Theme from SL (Reprise)". I dont know if remembrances is as efective poignant in piano version as the Main theme.

[GerateWohl 5,159]

16 minutes ago, Luke Skywalker said:

Since he played it at the piano it must have been something like the "Theme from SL (Reprise)". I dont know if remembrances is as efective poignant in piano version as the Main theme.

I don't understand that argument. I am pretty sure, Williams can play any of his themes on the piano. 

 

[Marian Schedenig 9,151]

20 minutes ago, Davis said:

I wonder why Samantha Williams doesn’t speak in the docu. I’m sure it was deliberate, but why? Because of Barbara Ruick? Or Anne-Sophie Mutter? Or was/is she also in bad health?

It’s strange that his wife of 44 years doesn’t speak in a documentary on her husband and only appears in photos. 

 

They're obviously a very private family, Williams didn't want to allow a biography or documentary about him for years - but of course, if his wife doesn't feature in it, it must be because he's having an affair with ASM, or because of 40+ years of unquenched resentment against his first wife…

[Davis 3,135]

20 minutes ago, Alex said:

 

I think she just keeps out of the public eye. That´s why his daughter usually companies him to awards ceremonies, etc.

Hmm... I understand the public appearances e.g. going to awards shows or concerts. But this is a documentary on the life and work of her husband whom she's been married to for 44 years. And Williams talks about her, and all we see are photos of them together. If she didn't want to give an interview, they could've shown them together walking or smelling the roses in their garden or just looking at one another smiling while JW sits at the piano playing something, etc. It's strange how she is not in it, while there is a major segment about JW's marriage with Barbara Ruick, and even ASM speaks, yet Mrs. Williams doesn't. I wonder why. 

[Luke Skywalker 1,968]

13 minutes ago, Luke Skywalker said:

Since he played it at the piano it must have been something like the "Theme from SL (Reprise)". I dont know if remembrances is as efective poignant in piano version as the Main theme.

I'll rephrase it:

 

Since he was playing the demo at the piano, i suppose what made all three (Kapshaw, Spielberg and Williams) cry must have been something like the "Theme from SL (Reprise)". I dont feel Remembrances is as efectively poignant in piano version as the Main theme.

[GerateWohl 5,159]

Ok. But I still don't get what makes you think that.

[karelm 3,099]

48 minutes ago, Davis said:

I wonder why Samantha Williams doesn’t speak in the docu. I’m sure it was deliberate, but why? Because of Barbara Ruick? Or Anne-Sophie Mutter? Or was/is she also in bad health?

It’s strange that his wife of 44 years doesn’t speak in a documentary on her husband and only appears in photos. 

 

They're actually a very private family and not so comfortable in the limelight.  That's true of Johnny too but he's had a lot of opportunity to get more used to it.  Red carpets can be very overwhelming if you don't like the spotlight.

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

Yeah, no need to make a federal case out of it or engage in wild speculation.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,445]

No interview with Joseph Williams either!

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

2 minutes ago, #SnowyVernalSpringsEternal said:

No interview with Joseph Williams either!

That's more conspicuous.

 

Now, let's engage in wild speculation.

[Marian Schedenig 9,151]

10 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

11 minutes ago, #SnowyVernalSpringsEternal said:

No interview with Joseph Williams either!

That's more conspicuous.

 

Now, let's engage in wild speculation.

 

They probably don't want to remind him that he wrote lyrics for ROTJ in case he wants a bigger share of the royalties.

[Tallguy 4,567]

1 minute ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

They probably don't want to remind him that he wrote lyrics for ROTJ in case he wants a bigger share of the royalties.

 

No royalties from The Disney Channel. Or the 4K. Or the Blu rays... Some DVDs with "bonus features"...

[Andy 5,215]

1 hour ago, Luke Skywalker said:

I'll rephrase it:

 

Since he was playing the demo at the piano, i suppose what made all three (Kapshaw, Spielberg and Williams) cry must have been something like the "Theme from SL (Reprise)". I dont feel Remembrances is as efectively poignant in piano version as the Main theme.

From the liner notes, I was hoping it might shed some light. All it does is confirm Remembrances was written first.  Whether or not Capshaw is remembering correctly or not is anyone’s guess.  Heh. Remembrances. 
 

[mrbellamy 6,795]

1 hour ago, Alex said:

I think she just keeps out of the public eye. That´s why his daughter usually companies him to awards ceremonies, etc.

 

Yeah although I've noticed Samantha going to these things more lately. 

 

I think it's probably a privacy thing and maybe some embarrassment since the doc is more of a tribute to his legend with occasional glimpses into the man himself. It was probably a whole discussion where they just decided between themselves which family members were the most comfortable. She got a Special Thanks credit so she was obviously helpful in other ways, even if just for her patience lol. 

[Sunshine Reger 3,609]

I found it awesome when he joked about wanting to own everything back in 1940.

 

It's not a year one usually hears about from the living.

[Davis 3,135]

50 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

 

Yeah although I've noticed Samantha going to these things more lately. 

 

 It was probably a whole discussion where they just decided between themselves which family members were the most comfortable. She got a Special Thanks credit so she was obviously helpful in other ways, even if just for her patience lol. 

That is very likely.

[Will 2,254]

The golf clips were a nice (very unexpected) surprise! I also really liked all the little clips from Spielberg's personal video collection ... although it also makes me wish even more that we could see longer excerpts. The scoring session clips are tantalizing but too short! Overall, though, a very well done documentary that I think does justice to JW's life and legacy, both within the film world and the broader musical one.

[Luke Skywalker 1,968]

2 hours ago, Andy said:

From the liner notes, I was hoping it might shed some light. All it does is confirm Remembrances was written first.  Whether or not Capshaw is remembering correctly or not is anyone’s guess.  Heh. Remembrances. 
 

He may have written it earlier… but when he played it he may have already wrote the two…and maybe the main theme was selected because it clicked more with the spielbergs. Wishful thinking from my part though

[Ollie 1,162]

11 hours ago, p0llux said:

 

I liked his golf swing.

 

 

looks like my swing. 😂

 

4 hours ago, Davis said:

 

I wonder why Samantha Williams doesn’t speak in the docu. I’m sure it was deliberate, but why? Because of Barbara Ruick? Or Anne-Sophie Mutter? Or was/is she also in bad health?

It’s strange that his wife of 44 years doesn’t speak in a documentary on her husband and only appears in photos. 

 

I do remember when Williams was the Grand Marshall for the Rose Bowl Parade in the early 2000’s she rode with him during the parade.

[Mr. Hooper 3,550]

13 minutes ago, Ollie said:

looks like my swing. 😂

Remember: Keep your head down, and don't fall off your feet when you swing. Don't do what John Williams does. lol

[Jurassic Shark 13,360]

4 hours ago, Davis said:

I wonder why Samantha Williams doesn’t speak in the docu. I’m sure it was deliberate, but why? Because of Barbara Ruick? Or Anne-Sophie Mutter? Or was/is she also in bad health?

It’s strange that his wife of 44 years doesn’t speak in a documentary on her husband and only appears in photos. 

 

Probably because when you've been married for that long, you more or less hate each other.

[Tom Guernsey 2,735]

52 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Remember: Keep your head down, and don't fall off your feet when you swing. Don't do what John Williams does. lol

I'm pretty sure when you're in your 90s you're just glad to remain standing after each swing...

 

I've not yet watched it but obviously looking forward to it, but it did make me wonder how easy it would be to put together another hour or two of "bonus" material with the slightly more nitty gritty stuff that wouldn't be of interest to the average viewer, but would provide some more insight to the fans who know 90% of it already. I mean, digital editing etc presumably means that, from a technical perspective, I don't imagine it's hugely challenging, so I guess it boils down to having the time and money to do it, plus clearance for any additional clips (which I assume isn't necessarily easy, but not impossible either given that plenty of TV shows use film clips for all sorts of things). Unless JW (and SS or whomever) have stipulations that they have final say on the final cut so they would have to approve any "extended" or bonus version? It feels like there must be a lot of interesting footage they didn't include which need nor borrow significantly into JW's private life, but would add a little extra depth and allow them to include sections on scores not otherwise referenced.

[Thor 8,504]

Yes, like Spielberg's recording sessions footage. We only got a tiny fraction of that in the film, far less than what I had expected. I hope some day, more of this material will be made available. Ideally completely raw, but at the very least with some tasteful edits. One can dream.