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The Guardian view on John Williams and Steven Spielberg: a partnership that changed cinema
Over more than 50 years and 30 films, the composer-director duo have created some of the most memorable movie experiences of all time
TL;DR
- John Williams is the most Oscar-nominated living artist with 54 nominations, surpassing Steven Spielberg's 24.
- The composer-director duo have collaborated on 30 films over more than 50 years, creating iconic scores for hits like Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List.
- Williams has also composed music for other major franchises such as Star Wars and Harry Potter.
- Spielberg considers Williams the most significant contributor to his success as a filmmaker.
- Williams's music is known for its technical range and thematic depth, evoking visceral responses and making historical events personally devastating.
- Despite his work being performed globally, Williams considers film music not to be high art suitable for concert halls.
- In contemporary cinema, film composers must compete for audience attention with sound effects, a challenge Williams addresses by creating instantly recognizable themes.
- Their latest collaboration, Disclosure Day, might be their final film together, highlighting the magic of human collaboration in an era threatened by artificial intelligence.