he is composed some of the most iconic orchestral movie scores ever welcome to
orchestral movie scores ever welcome to
orchestral movie scores ever welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten film
down our picks for the top ten film
down our picks for the top ten film scores by John Williams
for this list we’re looking at John
for this list we’re looking at John Williams career as a Hollywood film
Williams career as a Hollywood film
Williams career as a Hollywood film composer and are choosing the scores we
composer and are choosing the scores we
composer and are choosing the scores we feel are the most iconic memorable and
feel are the most iconic memorable and
feel are the most iconic memorable and which add to the film’s in which they
which add to the film’s in which they
which add to the film’s in which they appear however we have decided to
appear however we have decided to
appear however we have decided to exclude films like Fiddler on the Roof
exclude films like Fiddler on the Roof
exclude films like Fiddler on the Roof because although he won an Oscar for it
because although he won an Oscar for it
because although he won an Oscar for it Williams was the arranger and not the
Williams was the arranger and not the
Williams was the arranger and not the composer of that score a fiddler on the
composer of that score a fiddler on the
composer of that score a fiddler on the roof number 10 Empire of the Sun if the
roof number 10 Empire of the Sun if the
roof number 10 Empire of the Sun if the first entry on our list is of such
first entry on our list is of such
first entry on our list is of such admirable quality you know that this is
admirable quality you know that this is
admirable quality you know that this is a list filled with serious contenders
Empire of the Sun follows a young
Empire of the Sun follows a young Christian Bale on his journey from rich
Christian Bale on his journey from rich
Christian Bale on his journey from rich expat to Japanese prisoner of war during
expat to Japanese prisoner of war during
expat to Japanese prisoner of war during the Second World War
William score creates an oral landscape
William score creates an oral landscape that matches the horrors of war and
that matches the horrors of war and
that matches the horrors of war and captivity in a way that no listener can
captivity in a way that no listener can
captivity in a way that no listener can ever forget the brilliant score earned
ever forget the brilliant score earned
ever forget the brilliant score earned him not only a well-deserved Oscar
him not only a well-deserved Oscar
him not only a well-deserved Oscar Golden Globe and Grammy nominations but
Golden Globe and Grammy nominations but
Golden Globe and Grammy nominations but also won him the BAFTA just one in a
also won him the BAFTA just one in a
also won him the BAFTA just one in a long list of awards
number nine Close Encounters of the
number nine Close Encounters of the Third Kind area on the heels of his
Third Kind area on the heels of his
Third Kind area on the heels of his Grammy and Academy award-winning work on
Grammy and Academy award-winning work on
Grammy and Academy award-winning work on jaws and Star Wars Williams was tapped
jaws and Star Wars Williams was tapped
jaws and Star Wars Williams was tapped by Steven Spielberg once again to bring
by Steven Spielberg once again to bring
by Steven Spielberg once again to bring to screen a sense of mystery and
to screen a sense of mystery and
to screen a sense of mystery and wonderment associated with the unknown
wonderment associated with the unknown
wonderment associated with the unknown where my everyone has made Warren stay
where my everyone has made Warren stay
where my everyone has made Warren stay out of the area similar to his work on
out of the area similar to his work on
out of the area similar to his work on jaws Williams focused on a five tone
jaws Williams focused on a five tone
jaws Williams focused on a five tone theme that ran throughout even
theme that ran throughout even
theme that ran throughout even functioning as a plot point within the
functioning as a plot point within the
functioning as a plot point within the movie itself
not only did these notes communicate
not only did these notes communicate with alien life-forms
with alien life-forms
with alien life-forms they became ingrained in popular
they became ingrained in popular
they became ingrained in popular consciousness as well as seems to be a
consciousness as well as seems to be a
consciousness as well as seems to be a running theme on this list
running theme on this list
running theme on this list Williams earned yet another Academy
Williams earned yet another Academy
Williams earned yet another Academy Award nomination for Close Encounters
Award nomination for Close Encounters
Award nomination for Close Encounters but unfortunately he lost to himself in
but unfortunately he lost to himself in
but unfortunately he lost to himself in Star Wars
number eight Harry Potter and the
number eight Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
after a relative dry spell Williams was
after a relative dry spell Williams was able to stretch his fantasy score
able to stretch his fantasy score
able to stretch his fantasy score muscles once again for our next entry
muscles once again for our next entry
muscles once again for our next entry this boy will be famous there won’t be a
this boy will be famous there won’t be a
this boy will be famous there won’t be a child in that battle who doesn’t know
child in that battle who doesn’t know
child in that battle who doesn’t know his name given the opportunity to take
his name given the opportunity to take
his name given the opportunity to take the music in any direction he wished
the music in any direction he wished
the music in any direction he wished Williams crafted a score that set off
Williams crafted a score that set off
Williams crafted a score that set off the characters quests and Quidditch
the characters quests and Quidditch
the characters quests and Quidditch perfectly
and his magnificently eerie piece
and his magnificently eerie piece referred to as Hedwig’s theme became
referred to as Hedwig’s theme became
referred to as Hedwig’s theme became synonymous with the entire Harry Potter
synonymous with the entire Harry Potter
synonymous with the entire Harry Potter universe books and films alike
critics seem to think so too as it was
critics seem to think so too as it was also nominated for an Oscar think about
also nominated for an Oscar think about
also nominated for an Oscar think about it who else could have crafted a fantasy
it who else could have crafted a fantasy
it who else could have crafted a fantasy score that would include the perfect
score that would include the perfect
score that would include the perfect theme for the entire Harry Potter
theme for the entire Harry Potter
theme for the entire Harry Potter franchise number seven Superman who do
franchise number seven Superman who do
franchise number seven Superman who do you call when you need a monumental
you call when you need a monumental
you call when you need a monumental score filled with heroism do you even
score filled with heroism do you even
score filled with heroism do you even have to ask
Williams take on our favorite Kryptonian
Williams take on our favorite Kryptonian matched the mood of the film conveying
matched the mood of the film conveying
matched the mood of the film conveying the theatrical and in some ways
the theatrical and in some ways
the theatrical and in some ways cartoonish feel of heroic deeds instead
cartoonish feel of heroic deeds instead
cartoonish feel of heroic deeds instead of being too serious easy miss I’ve got
of being too serious easy miss I’ve got
of being too serious easy miss I’ve got you you you’ve got me who’s got you
you you you’ve got me who’s got you
you you you’ve got me who’s got you fun fact veteran Hollywood composer
fun fact veteran Hollywood composer
fun fact veteran Hollywood composer Jerry Goldsmith was originally in charge
Jerry Goldsmith was originally in charge
Jerry Goldsmith was originally in charge of the score but Williams took the
of the score but Williams took the
of the score but Williams took the position due to scheduling conflicts
that worked out well for everyone as
that worked out well for everyone as Williams nabbed another Oscar nomination
Williams nabbed another Oscar nomination
Williams nabbed another Oscar nomination for his work number six Schindler’s List
for his work number six Schindler’s List
for his work number six Schindler’s List one I’m a musician
one I’m a musician
one I’m a musician what if you don’t your name for some of
what if you don’t your name for some of
what if you don’t your name for some of it I hear your name goes in at least
it I hear your name goes in at least
it I hear your name goes in at least insecure trucks have your tissues ready
insecure trucks have your tissues ready
insecure trucks have your tissues ready this time around with the help of
this time around with the help of
this time around with the help of director Steven Spielberg Williams uses
director Steven Spielberg Williams uses
director Steven Spielberg Williams uses his music to depict the sheer tragedy
his music to depict the sheer tragedy
his music to depict the sheer tragedy and loss suffered during the Holocaust
and loss suffered during the Holocaust
and loss suffered during the Holocaust some days this is all going to end
some days this is all going to end
some days this is all going to end unlike the majority of his other works
unlike the majority of his other works
unlike the majority of his other works Schindler’s List is a much more intimate
Schindler’s List is a much more intimate
Schindler’s List is a much more intimate score with famed violinist Itzhak
score with famed violinist Itzhak
score with famed violinist Itzhak Perlman performing some of the
Perlman performing some of the
Perlman performing some of the melancholy music Williams delicate work
melancholy music Williams delicate work
melancholy music Williams delicate work on the soundtrack adds to the feeling of
on the soundtrack adds to the feeling of
on the soundtrack adds to the feeling of dread that accompanies one of the
dread that accompanies one of the
dread that accompanies one of the world’s darkest periods in history
this emotion invoking score allowed
this emotion invoking score allowed Williams to bring home his fifth Oscar
Williams to bring home his fifth Oscar
Williams to bring home his fifth Oscar because let’s face it Williams is a
because let’s face it Williams is a
because let’s face it Williams is a magician with music
our next entry is arguably the mother of
our next entry is arguably the mother of all adventure film themes
this score provides another example of
this score provides another example of Williams expertise in invoking
Williams expertise in invoking
Williams expertise in invoking excitement most notably through his
excitement most notably through his
excitement most notably through his Raiders March which would eventually
Raiders March which would eventually
Raiders March which would eventually become synonymous with all of Indies
become synonymous with all of Indies
become synonymous with all of Indies adventures beyond that Williams is also
adventures beyond that Williams is also
adventures beyond that Williams is also able to add just the right amount of
able to add just the right amount of
able to add just the right amount of horror when needed
later be regarded as one of Williams
later be regarded as one of Williams masterpieces this scores snagged the
masterpieces this scores snagged the
masterpieces this scores snagged the composer another Oscar nomination now
composer another Oscar nomination now
composer another Oscar nomination now it’s time to go on an adventure with dr.
it’s time to go on an adventure with dr.
it’s time to go on an adventure with dr. Jones
three number four ET the
three number four ET the extra-terrestrial for his next trick
extra-terrestrial for his next trick
extra-terrestrial for his next trick Williams will warm your hearts with this
Williams will warm your hearts with this
Williams will warm your hearts with this marvelously uplifting score he’s keeping
marvelously uplifting score he’s keeping
marvelously uplifting score he’s keeping hood with his work on ET he wanted to
hood with his work on ET he wanted to
hood with his work on ET he wanted to portray a sense of innocence showcasing
portray a sense of innocence showcasing
portray a sense of innocence showcasing audiences exactly how wide his ranges
audiences exactly how wide his ranges
audiences exactly how wide his ranges and the results blew everyone away
he also proved he has a sense of humor
he also proved he has a sense of humor by including a snippet of Yoda’s theme
by including a snippet of Yoda’s theme
by including a snippet of Yoda’s theme from The Empire Strikes Back in the film
from The Empire Strikes Back in the film
from The Empire Strikes Back in the film when et runs into a child dressed as the
when et runs into a child dressed as the
when et runs into a child dressed as the green Jedi
rightfully earning its place as a John
rightfully earning its place as a John Williams concert staple this is by far
Williams concert staple this is by far
Williams concert staple this is by far the most enchanting of his scores so
the most enchanting of his scores so
the most enchanting of his scores so much so that et obtained Williams his
much so that et obtained Williams his
much so that et obtained Williams his fourth Oscar win he just can’t stop
fourth Oscar win he just can’t stop
fourth Oscar win he just can’t stop winning Oscars Kenny
number three Jurassic Park there’s a
number three Jurassic Park there’s a kind of sore
kind of sore
kind of sore there’s a reason Williams as the go-to
there’s a reason Williams as the go-to
there’s a reason Williams as the go-to guy when it comes to fantastical and
guy when it comes to fantastical and
guy when it comes to fantastical and magical themes he inspires us and makes
magical themes he inspires us and makes
magical themes he inspires us and makes us feel awe and excitement through his
us feel awe and excitement through his
us feel awe and excitement through his music which is exactly what he
music which is exactly what he
music which is exactly what he accomplishes in Jurassic Park
accomplishes in Jurassic Park
accomplishes in Jurassic Park dr. grant my idea dr. Satcher welcome to
dr. grant my idea dr. Satcher welcome to
dr. grant my idea dr. Satcher welcome to Jurassic Park Williams music increases
Jurassic Park Williams music increases
Jurassic Park Williams music increases the sense of amazement we feel when
the sense of amazement we feel when
the sense of amazement we feel when traveling to Isla Nublar and when we
traveling to Isla Nublar and when we
traveling to Isla Nublar and when we first see the dinosaurs on-screen
at the same time he doesn’t neglect to
at the same time he doesn’t neglect to amp up the intensity and fear when the
amp up the intensity and fear when the
amp up the intensity and fear when the Tyrannosaurus Rex attacks
William knows exactly what we were
William knows exactly what we were supposed to feel and we happily follow
supposed to feel and we happily follow
supposed to feel and we happily follow along
widely considered by fans and critics
widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of Williams most
alike to be one of Williams most
alike to be one of Williams most impressive pieces Williams – no tuba
impressive pieces Williams – no tuba
impressive pieces Williams – no tuba theme made multitudes of people scared
theme made multitudes of people scared
theme made multitudes of people scared to venture back into the water again the
to venture back into the water again the
to venture back into the water again the score as a whole is incredibly well done
score as a whole is incredibly well done
score as a whole is incredibly well done moving the plot along with mounting
moving the plot along with mounting
moving the plot along with mounting tension and primordial dread as
tension and primordial dread as
tension and primordial dread as evidenced by such tracks as out to sea
evidenced by such tracks as out to sea
evidenced by such tracks as out to sea and sea attack number one but it’s the
and sea attack number one but it’s the
and sea attack number one but it’s the main theme that proved exactly what
main theme that proved exactly what
main theme that proved exactly what Williams is capable of guys okay over
Williams is capable of guys okay over
Williams is capable of guys okay over there
need to build some suspense take note
need to build some suspense take note from John Williams before we orchestrate
from John Williams before we orchestrate
from John Williams before we orchestrate our final pick here are a few honorable
our final pick here are a few honorable
our final pick here are a few honorable mentions
number one Star Wars Episode four a new
number one Star Wars Episode four a new hope
the combined talents of composer John
the combined talents of composer John Williams and director George Lucas take
Williams and director George Lucas take
Williams and director George Lucas take us to worlds we couldn’t possibly dream
us to worlds we couldn’t possibly dream
us to worlds we couldn’t possibly dream up
Williams blows us right out of the gate
Williams blows us right out of the gate with the epic opening theme but all of
with the epic opening theme but all of
with the epic opening theme but all of it from lurching around to the seedy Mos
it from lurching around to the seedy Mos
it from lurching around to the seedy Mos Eisley cantina to the ending ceremony is
Eisley cantina to the ending ceremony is
Eisley cantina to the ending ceremony is amazing
throughout Williams portrays a sense of
throughout Williams portrays a sense of familiarity while exposing us to new
familiarity while exposing us to new
familiarity while exposing us to new lands and this isn’t just our ruling as
lands and this isn’t just our ruling as
lands and this isn’t just our ruling as many critics list the Star Wars score as
many critics list the Star Wars score as
many critics list the Star Wars score as the best score ever composed so do you
the best score ever composed so do you
the best score ever composed so do you agree with our list you’re meddling in
agree with our list you’re meddling in
agree with our list you’re meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in
things that ought not to be meddled in
things that ought not to be meddled in what’s your choice for John Williams
what’s your choice for John Williams
what’s your choice for John Williams best score
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