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Chances are, if I asked you to name a movie scored by John Williams, you could easily list at least five without hesitation. You might even recognize some of his music without realizing it was his.
In Disney+’s new documentary Music by John Williams, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the career of one of the most iconic composers of our time.
The documentary covers Williams’ early life, including his New York upbringing in a musical family—his mother was an entertainer, and his father a drummer. Music was a constant presence, so it seemed only natural to him that one would grow up to play music professionally. This proved true in his case: while serving in the Air Force, he honed his craft in bands and was even asked to score his first film, a documentary about Canada’s maritime provinces.
One of the most personal moments in the documentary reveals the tragedy of Williams’ first wife’s passing at just 41 from an aneurysm. Suddenly, he was a single father of three teenage children. He admits he buried himself in work, often away from home when his children were young, finding it too noisy to compose with kids in the house. Thankfully, his daughter Jenny took on a nurturing role with her brothers after the passing of their mother. Williams grows emotional discussing this, hinting at the sensitivity of the topic.
As you'd expect, the bulk of the documentary focuses on his music and career, shared through the perspectives of colleagues, fans, and Williams himself. Williams even shares insights into some of his note choices for specific pieces. Among the notable fans are Chris Martin and Seth MacFarlane—who, although appearing briefly and seeming slightly out of place, don’t detract from the narrative. Frequent appearances by Steven Spielberg highlight their longstanding friendship; Spielberg’s joy is evident as he recounts their collaborations. Other significant figures include George Lucas, Yo-Yo Ma, Ron Howard, J.J. Abrams, Chris Columbus, Itzhak Perlman, Thomas Newman, and Alan Silvestri.
Interestingly, Williams never aspired to be a composer, initially seeing it only as a more lucrative option. The documentary traces his journey from playing piano for film scores to conducting the Boston Pops, composing concert pieces, and ultimately creating the iconic film scores we know today.
Music by John Williams is a love letter to a man who has dedicated his life to enhancing ours through music. If just one of his pieces resonates with you, this documentary will feel like a warm, nostalgic embrace for an hour and forty-six minutes.
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