
Sound
John Williams
Born
1932-02-08 (94)
Place of birth
Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Known for
Sound
Credits
73 titles
John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932) is an American composer and conductor. In a career that has spanned seven decades, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scoresin cinema history. He has a distinct sound that mixes romanticism, impressionism and atonal music with complex orchestration. He is best known for his collaborations with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and has received numerous accolades including 26 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, three Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. With 54 Academy Award nominations, he is the second-most nominated person, after Walt Disney, and is the oldest Oscar nomi…
Known for
6.1Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
5.3Jay Leno hosts some of the biggest celebrities in the world.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
6.5America's popular television News magazine in which an ever changing team of CBS News correspondents contribute segments ranging from hard news coverage to politics to lifestyle and pop culture.
60 Minutes
1968
5.6The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
The South Bank Show
1978
6.2The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
2019
7.1An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
The Oscars
1953
Film credits
2020s · 15 titles
8.0His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time, over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams' own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians, and others he has inspired, complete with rare behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movie history.
Music by John Williams
2024
7.5The authorized documentary celebrating the film that redefined Hollywood, 50 years after its premiere. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with acclaimed Hollywood directors alongside Steven Spielberg, top shark scientists, and conservationists, the film uncovers the behind-the-scenes chaos and how the film launched the summer blockbuster, inspired a new wave of filmmakers, and paved the way for shark conservation that continues today.
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
2025
8.3A portrait of Ennio Morricone, the most popular and prolific film composer of the 20th century, the one most loved by the international public, a two-time Oscar winner and the author of over five hundred unforgettable scores.
Ennio
2022
7.7An in-depth look at an incredible moment in film history when Steven Spielberg and George Lucas assembled an amazing creative team to collaborate on another cinematic benchmark featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with Spielberg, Lucas, Harrison Ford, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, James Mangold, and many others as well.
Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford
2023
7.9The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The Skywalker Legacy
2020
6.5The untold story of the Abbey Road studio, all-star interviews and intimate access to the premises.
If These Walls Could Sing
2022
8.430 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams has returned for a special concert – making his debut with the world-famous Saito Kinen Orchestra in renditions of his beloved film scores and reuniting with his longtime friend, world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa (1935-2024). Captured live on record at Suntory Hall last year, John Williams In Tokyo is now being be released by Deutsche Grammophon and follows his acclaimed concert albums, The Berlin Concert and John Williams in Vienna, which topped charts around the globe.
John Williams in Tokyo
2024
6.0The fall of 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof, the film Pauline Kael (The New Yorker) called "the most powerful movie musical ever made." Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, FIDDLER'S JOURNEY TO THE BIG SCREEN captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewison's quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envision the beloved stage hit as a wide-screen epic. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Daniel Raim puts us in the director's chair and in Jewison's heart and mind, drawing on behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen stills as well as original interviews with Jewison, Topol (Tevye), composer John Williams, production designer Robert F. Boyle, film critic Kenneth Turan, lyricist Sheldon Harnick, and actresses Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, and Neva Small (Tevye’s daughters). The film explores how the experience of making Fiddler deepened Jewison as an artist and revived his soul.
Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen
2022
7.1A fascinating behind-the-scenes special about Steven Spielberg's "The Fabelmans."
The Fabelmans: A Family in Film
2023
7.3Rejoice in the astonishing all-new footage of Spielberg at work in documentary filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau’s revealing The Stories of West Side Story. Composed of Opening, Prologue, Sharks & Jets, Dance at the Gym, The Romance, America, Gee, Officer Krupke, Cool, From Quintet to the Rumble, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere, Finale, and Tribute.
The Stories of West Side Story
2022
6.6Join the adventure with the cast and crew, showcasing new characters, stunts, music, locations, production design, and visual effects in five chapters that chart the making of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
The Making of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
2023
NRThe Hollywood Bowl Orchestra raises the curtain on the Bowl's 2024 season with a 100th birthday celebration for the iconic composer, Henry Mancini. Hosted by Jeff Goldblum, the starry concert features performances by stage and "Wicked" film star Cynthia Erivo, Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé and Grammy nominees Dave Koz and Monica Mancini, Henry Mancini's daughter. The program also goes behind the scenes of the recording of the 100th anniversary album featuring John Williams, Arturo Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil, Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, James Galway and the last televised appearance of the late Quincy Jones.
Henry Mancini: 100 at the Hollywood Bowl
2024
NRThe child prodigy turns 60! At the tender age of 13, Anne-Sophie Mutter was discovered by star conductor Herbert von Karajan. An unprecedented world career followed. She once said of herself: "If you want to get to know me, you have to experience me on stage". She does not appreciate questions about her private life. So how do you portray such an exceptional artist?
Anne-Sophie Mutter - Vivace
2023
7.2John Williams has made cinematic history with his film scores and transported entire generations into his musical worlds. He has composed the soundtracks for cinema blockbusters such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, E.T. and Harry Potter. In this concert, he conducts some of his most famous film classics. At the same time, this is his debut on the podium of the Berliner Philharmoniker. May the Force be with him ...
John Williams: The Berlin Concert
2021
9.1DG presents John Williams in Vienna, the live recordings of the Hollywood legend's Vienna Philharmonic 2020 debut. Saying it's "one of the greatest honors of my life," he received a standing ovation before a single note was played. Sharing the stage with the famous orchestra and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, he performs iconic themes from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and other cinematic landmarks that have earned countless awards: 5 Oscars, 5 Emmys, 25 Grammys & more.
John Williams: Live in Vienna
2020
2010s · 13 titles
6.2The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
2019
6.9The history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
2019
7.5A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg
2017
7.2Music is an integral part of most films, adding emotion and nuance while often remaining invisible to audiences. Matt Schrader shines a spotlight on the overlooked craft of film composing, gathering many of the art form’s most influential practitioners, from Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman to Quincy Jones and Randy Newman, to uncover their creative process. Tracing key developments in the evolution of music in film, and exploring some of cinema’s most iconic soundtracks, 'Score' is an aural valentine for film lovers.
Score: A Film Music Documentary
2017
6.6A multi-part documentary about the making of the Jurassic Park trilogy. Each part walks through the making of part of one of the films, including the hurricane during the shooting of the first film, and how advances in CGI for Jurassic Park helped change the world of special effects forever. All interviews for these retrospective documentaries come with comments from Spielberg, Johnston, Neill, Dern, Goldblum, the effects crews, the child actors, and Peter Stormare. This documentary is broken into six parts: Dawn of a New Era (25 min), Making Prehistory (20 min), The Next Step in Evolution (15 min), Finding the Lost World (28 min), Something Survived (16 min), and The Third Adventure (25 min).
Return to Jurassic Park
2011
10.0The following documentary is composed exclusively of original behind-the-scenes footage shot during the production of "E.T." in 1981. It follows the order of the scenes as they appear in the film.
The E.T. Journals
2012
7.3Steven Spielberg takes us behind the cameras for the making of a classic movie.
Jaws: The Inside Story
2010
6.1An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the new lands at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in Southern California.
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits
2019
NRThe story of music and the music industry told through interviews with musicians, composers and producers across genres.
Music
2010
5.5Documentary on the making of Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" (2012).
Lincoln: An American Journey
2013
7.2For the 2014/15 Opening Night Concert and Gala, the Los Angeles Philharmonic paid loving tribute to composer John Williams, long a champion and close friend of the LA Phil. Gustavo Dudamel, an awestruck fan of the musical icon, led the orchestra in a crosssection of Maestro Williams' matchless canon. Featuring Itzhak Perlman with a very special musical performance of pieces from Schindler's List as well as the Cadenza and variations from Fiddler on the Roof. Jazz elements will fill the air during Escapades from Catch Me if You Can, and may the force be with you during the iconic tunes from Star Wars.
A John Williams Celebration
2015
5.8His filmmaker son probes the professional and private lives of his remote but fascinating father: bandleader, composer, inventor, and electronic music pioneer Raymond Scott.
Deconstructing Dad: The Music, Machines and Mystery of Raymond Scott
2010
10.0In honor of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday, Tanglewood—the famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra—dedicated its entire 2018 season to the iconic composer, conductor, performer, educator and humanitarian. The festivities culminated on Bernstein’s centennial birthday on August 25, 2018, in a special celebrity-studded gala concert. Directed for the stage by James Darrah, The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood illuminates the breadth of Bernstein’s incredible life and career, which inspired generations of music lovers around the globe – from his talent as a composer to his generosity in mentoring other composers and musicians, his inimitable role as a driving musical force at Tanglewood for over 50 years and more.
Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood
2018
2000s · 18 titles
7.6From the earliest versions of the script to the blockbuster debuts, explore the creation of the Star Wars Trilogy.
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
2004
7.3The entire process of making Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) is shown here in this documentary. From pre-production through post-production, we get to see visual effects meetings, John Williams' music sessions, and even the storm that wiped out the pod-racers & props.
The Beginning: The Making of Star Wars Episode I
2001
7.4The troubled fraternal relationship between songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the Oscar and Grammy-winning Sherman Brothers, famous for the iconic hits they wrote for Disney.
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
2009
7.2This documentary offers a glimpse into all the people, departments, and work that went into creating the film, specifically, the fight between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Featured on the 2-Disc DVD for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Within a Minute: The Making of Star Wars Episode III
2005
7.9A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Stephen Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can."
Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera
2003
8.8A VH1 television special wherein the cast discuss the making of the films and what made the franchise a phenomenon.
When Star Wars Ruled the World
2004
7.3After three decades, Jaws continues to intrigue, thrill and frighten viewers. This documentary focuses on the many ways in which Jaws has helped to shape popular culture.
The Shark Is Still Working
2009
5.6The artistry, triumph and lifelong friendship of the great cinematographers Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond. With film school equipment, they shoot the Soviet crackdown of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. As refugees they struggle in Hollywood, finally breaking into the mainstream with their pivotal contribution to the "American New Wave."
No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos
2009
7.2Commemorating the centennial of Mercer's birth, this documentary is part biography, part archive, and part recontextualization, taking Mercer's tunes and putting them in the hands of modern singers like Jamie Cullum and Dr. John to show they are still relevant today. Host Clint Eastwood also interviews artists who collaborated with Mercer or performed his songs, including composer John Williams, Blake Edwards, Andre Previn, Tony Bennett, and Julie Andrews.
Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me
2009
6.0A 5-part documentary of the history of Superman in the movies. • Origin - Superman in the media and the challenges the Salkinds faced • Vision - Creating the right script, Choosing the right director and casting the right actors • Ascent - The production and launch of a new kind of fantasy film • Crisis - Complications and conflicts between the creative forces behind Superman II • Redemption - Criticisms and burnout of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
2006
7.2Documentary on the making of the 1978 film 'Superman.'
Making 'Superman': Filming the Legend
2001
4.8The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters - from Python and Beyond the Fringe - and performers then relatively unknown, like Rowan Atkinson. Narrated by Dawn French, the programme includes interviews with many of the comedians and musicians who took part: John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Sting, Lenny Henry and many more. The shows and their stars had a huge effect on modern British comedy. There are few comics today whose careers have not been heavily influenced by the anarchic and surreal humour of these events.
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
2004
7.6Marc McClure presents a documentary on the making of 'Superman' (1978).
Taking Flight: The Development of 'Superman'
2001
7.1A documentary film on the making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
2001
6.2In this 2003 featurette, John Williams recalls composing the music for the first three Indiana Jones pictures and alludes to the possibility of scoring a fourth.
The Music of 'Indiana Jones'
2003
7.1Star Wars: In Concert, originally called Star Wars: A Musical Journey, was a worldwide series of concerts featuring specially edited footage from all six of the Star Wars films (on the world's largest LED screen) set to live performances of John Williams' Star Wars score. The first performance took place in the O2 Arena in London, England. It was attended by 20,000 fans. The North American concerts started in Anaheim, California on October 1, 2009. The concerts were narrated by Anthony Daniels and conducted by Dirk Brosse. The concert took the audience through the Star Wars story line starting with Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace and ending with Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The concert toured throughout the world extensively in 2009 and 2010, with an announced two-date engagement (June 3 and 4, 2011) at the Hollywood Bowl in 2011.
Star Wars: A Musical Journey
2005
6.0A behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Dracula" (1979).
The Revamping of Dracula
2004
6.9Documentary about the making of Alfred Hitchcock's "Family Plot".
Plotting 'Family Plot'
2001
1990s · 7 titles
8.0BBC documentary about the making of Steven Spielberg's Jaws.
In the Teeth of Jaws
1997
6.8A documentary on the making of one of the greatest films ever made, filled with trivia, interviews from cast and crew and never-before-seen footage.
The Making of 'Jaws'
1995
7.4A behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Steven Spielberg's 1982 film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."
The Making of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'
1996
8.0Host Howie Long takes viewers on a tour of the "Star Wars" universe, as Fox TV celebrates the re-release of the original three legendary films in this one hour special.
Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery
1997
6.9Behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of director Steven Spielberg's 1997 film "The Lost World."
The Making of 'The Lost World'
1997
6.7A non-narrated documentary, told mainly in interviews with the filmmakers, on the making of the cult comedy classic, featuring outtakes, rare behind-the-scenes home movies, and trivia facts.
The Making of '1941'
1996
Explores the art and history of writing music for motion pictures.
The Hollywood Soundtrack Story
1995
1980s · 4 titles
8.2Hosted by Mark Hamill, this revealing documentary offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into the amazing special effects that transformed George Lucas’ vision for Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back into reality!
SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back
1980
7.4From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga is a 1983 television documentary special that originally aired on PBS. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the original Star Wars trilogy, with particular emphasis on the final film, Return of the Jedi. Narrated by actor Mark Hamill, the documentary was written by Richard Schickel who had written the previous television documentaries The Making of Star Wars (1977) and SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga
1983
8.0Even the most devout Star Wars fan might not know that filmmaker and journalist Michel Parbot was once given unprecedented access to the set, stars, and filmmakers behind The Empire Strikes Back. The resulting work, The Making of The Empire Strikes Back, has apparently never been commercially released. Most of the footage has been lost, but 15 minutes has circulated online in recent years. Now, the 1 hour cut of Michel Parbot’s lost documentary has been found.
The Making of The Empire Strikes Back
1980
7.3BBC documentary. Witness John Williams composing the legendary score for The Empire Strikes Back and conducting the London Symphony Orchestra.
Star Wars: Music by John Williams
1980
Undated · 2 titles
Series credits
6.1Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
5.3Jay Leno hosts some of the biggest celebrities in the world.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
6.5America's popular television News magazine in which an ever changing team of CBS News correspondents contribute segments ranging from hard news coverage to politics to lifestyle and pop culture.
60 Minutes
1968
5.6The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
The South Bank Show
1978
7.1An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
The Oscars
1953
7.4The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978
7.5Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology series that was telecast on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. It originated from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s were usually hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual, a weekly series of hour-and-a-half dramas rather than 60-minute plays. Playhouse 90 began as a pitch by Frank Stanton—the formidable, forward-thinking right-hand man to CBS chairman William S. Paley—during a brainstorming session for program ideas. The project was ultimately developed by Hubbell Robinson, a CBS vice president who received no screen credit on Playhouse 90 but is often described as its creator.
Playhouse 90
1956
7.0The final incarnation of Michael Parkinson's iconic talk show featuring an array of celebrities from every sphere.
Parkinson
2004
7.4Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series. Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself.
Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian
2020
6.3In 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a yearly recipient whose talent has fundamentally advanced the film art; whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
1973
8.0Renowned composer, conductor, and pianist Andre Previn welcomes one or more musical guests for conversation and performance, either accompanied by Mr. Previn on piano or in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Produced by WQED and syndicated nationally on PBS, the series was notable among musical performance programs for its deft camera work and editing. The episode The Music That Made the Movies was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction.
Previn and the Pittsburgh
1977
8.1E! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood celebrities, movies, TV shows and also well-known public figures. Among the topics covered on the program include salacious re-tellings of Hollywood secrets, show-biz scandals, celebrity murders and mysteries, porn-star biographies, and "where-are-they-now?" investigations of former child stars. It frequently features in-depth interviews, actual courtroom footage, and dramatic reenactments. When aired on the E! network, episodes will be updated to reflect the current life or status of the subject.
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
1.0Disney Legends Awards has honored gifted animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors, business leaders, and more for the significant impact they’ve had on the Disney legacy. This bi-aunnal event celebrates a new class and look back at their many contributions to Disney magic.
Disney Legends Award Ceremony
2024

