Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
His 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 is a warmly received documentary portrait of one of cinema's most iconic composers, buoyed by rare archival footage and heartfelt testimonials from collaborators like Spielberg and Lucas. The film follows a fairly conventional talking-heads-plus-archive structure typical of music documentaries, earning solid but unremarkable marks across most categories. The cinematography is competent and occasionally elevated by concert and studio footage but not visually adventurous. The novelty is moderate — Williams himself is a singular subject, but the documentary approach is familiar territory. The ending offers a satisfying emotional close without transcending the form. Across the board, this is a well-crafted, crowd-pleasing documentary that serves its subject admirably without pushing any single dimension to exceptional heights.