The frequent collaborators have a deep and long-held respect, as Williams’ music has helped paint the picture of many of Spielberg’s films.
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Williams – the five-time Oscar victor and 50-time nominee – is the first composer to receive the honor from the American Film Institute, and he took time in his acceptance speech to list all of the late composers who he thought were more deserving of the award, naming Bernard Herman and Alfred Newman.
“Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes”, said Spielberg, who has worked with Williams on a whopping 27 movies over 43 years.
John Williams, creator of the iconic music from “Superman”, “Star Wars”, “Jaws”, “E.T.” and “Jurassic Park”, is also the first composer to receive the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.
It may also come as little surprise, but Williams could be back for another franchise he is deeply familiar with: Star Wars.
“John Williams has written the soundtrack to our lives”, said Howard Stringer, chairman of the AFI Board of Trustees. “There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe”. “It was playing in the operating room when I went in for my colonoscopy”. “And then you did it again for Raiders of the Lost Ark”, which Lucas ultimately wrote and Spielberg directed. “He’s like the sweetest superhero all time”, said J.J. Abrams, whose “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” earned Williams his 50th Academy Award nod. Steven Spielberg has served as the director, Harrison Ford starred as the titular hero Indiana Jones himself, George Lucas was one of the consistent contributors to the series stories and John Williams scored each of the four films.
“Music is the magic dust of movies”, said George Lucas, who with Spielberg, made it clear just how much he appreciated what Williams contributed to his films. “Not enough can ever be said about the importance of John Williams’ music”.
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The gala will be taped to air on TNT and Turner Classic Movies.
