E.T. with (and without) Williams

Mia Cellino
Jul 20, 2017 · 2 min read

John Williams is one of the most well-known American composers for film music. He was born in New York City in 1932, and he studied at Julliard. He was known as a jazz pianist and studio musician before he started his career as a composer. His specialty is composing for movies and television. Since the 1970s, he has composed for more than 100 films. These films include E.T., Star Wars, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Jaws, and many more (Kettler).

I have a particular fascination with film music, because a film’s score is the entire essence of the movie. I’m also a huge John Williams fan. Harry Potter is my favorite story of all time. I have read the books multiple times, and I have watched the movies even more. I usually study to the music from the Harry Potter films. Every time I do so, I am reminded of different parts of the story and the different characters as they developed throughout the movies. I absolutely enjoy the movies so much because of the powerful music. Williams has a knack for expressing the drama of the plot with the music he composes. The musical elements he provides does most of the work in giving the films emotion.

I have looked deeper into the film music Williams composed for E.T. (1982). The short clip I have provided below is perhaps the most iconic scene of the whole movie. In this scene, it opens with the upper voices (such as the violins and upper woodwinds) playing in a shrieking manner as the boys are being chased by the police. Then, the strings play the leitmotif that is often associated with E.T.’s character in the film. This theme is then developed further and builds in intensity as the boys are continuing to outrun the police, until the point that the boys are flying in the air. Once the boys are flying, the violins and the brass instruments dominate the texture with E.T.’s theme. This grand build-up of the music adds to the magic and wonder that this scene is.

Now that you have heard this scene with Williams’s score, I have provided a video of the same clip, except without the music. When I found this video, I could not help but laugh hysterically at my computer screen. It is a true testament in how crucial music is to these films. Without the music, everything seems much more dull and far less emotional. It gives me a better appreciation for the composers who have dedicated their careers to writing for films.

Source:

Kettler, Sara. “John Williams.” Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 08 May 2015. Web. 21 July 2017.

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    Mia Cellino

    Written by

    Lover of all things involving music, coffee, and Harry Potter.

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