7 Best John Williams Movie Soundtrack Themes
Recently, John Williams premiered “Helena’s Theme,” named after Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character from the upcoming fifth Indiana Jones movie. John Williams’ cinematic compositions are well-known to moviegoers and have been in movies of varying genres. From science fiction movies such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind to thrillers like Jaws as well as historical drama namely Memoirs of a Geisha. A frequent collaborator with Hollywood directors and producers like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, John Williams’ work has won multiple awards and continues to inspire modern film composers. In this list, we count down the best of John Williams’ musical masterpieces.
7. “Hymn To The Fallen” From Saving Private Ryan
This theme features the sounds of drums and bugles combined with a spiritual choir which evokes the remembrance of those fallen in times of conflict. “Hymn to the Fallen” has become a triumphant theme, remembering those who were lost while hoping for a better future. Even though “Hymn to the Fallen” may not be as famous as other entries on this list, it has become a staple in remembrance events. “Hymn to the Fallen” is most likely an inspiration for the iconic theme song to HBO’s Band of Brothers by Michael Kamen. The score for Saving Private Ryan went on to win John Williams a Grammy Award.
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6. “Theme From Schindler’s List” From Schindler’s List
The “Theme from Schindler’s List” is a haunting, emotional score that evokes the plight of the victims of the Holocaust as portrayed in this unforgettable Steven Spielberg drama. With violin solos played by the renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, “Theme from Schindler’s List” is one of the more provoking scores done by John Williams, frequently listed as among his best work. In fact, John Williams’ score for Schindler’s List won an Academy Award for Best Original Score, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, and a Grammy Award.
5. “Prelude And Main Title March” From Superman
Also known simply as the Superman theme, this theme from the 1978 Richard Donner classic needs to be heard with its prelude in completion. The soft brass, in the beginning, brings a sense of mystery which crescendoes into a heroic anthem for the Son of Krypton. While there have been numerous depictions of the Man of Steel, both in theaters and on television, none of them features a theme as memorable as the one John Williams created. The Superman theme and the score for the movie later won John Williams two Grammy Awards.
4. “Theme from Jurassic Park” from Jurassic Park
The “Theme from Jurassic Park” conjures the feeling of wonder that Alan Grant and Ellie Satler witness the first live dinosaurs in the 1993 movie, as well as for the audience who were enthralled by the visual effects that bring the vision of Jurassic Park alive. The theme has since become a recurring motif in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies.
3. “The Raiders March” from Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Indiana Jones theme, which is titled “The Raiders March,” evokes the image of the daredevil gung-ho attitude of mid-20th century pulp hero going up against the odds like Nazi spies and ancient curses. The blare of the horns pumps the listener to expect high adventure from the ace archaeologist. “The Raiders March” has since become embedded in modern pop culture, inseparable from the Indiana Jones character. We look forward to hearing the iconic theme again soon in the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones series. The score for Raiders of the Lost Ark went on to win a Grammy Award.
2. “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
“Hedwig’s Theme” has become the de facto theme song of the Harry Potter films as well as the Wizarding World franchise. The first notes of the theme are instantly recognizable by fans of Harry Potter and have become an integral part of pop culture. “Hedwig’s Theme” invokes a sense of mystery about the secretive Wizarding World and, while John Williams didn’t compose for the rest of the Harry Potter films after Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, “Hedwig’s Theme” is used on several occasions as a leitmotif.
1. “Main Title” From Star Wars
Williams has scored numerous memorial pieces for Star Wars movies such as “The Imperial March,” “Duel of the Fates,” “Across the Stars,” and “Battle of the Heroes,” none will be as equally iconic as the “Main Title” from Star Wars: A New Hope. Composed in the same key as the 20th Century Fox fanfare, it evokes earlier pulp science fiction film serials such as Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers which inspired George Lucas. The theme instantly became a hit with the general public, so much so that it was remixed as a disco song in 1977 and became the subject of a Saturday Night Live skit by Bill Murray in 1978. Through his score for Star Wars, John Williams was awarded an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, as well as three Grammy Awards. In addition, the American Film Institution’s AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores ranked John Williams’ composition at number one.
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Source(s): Variety, Slash Film