I remember the original Superman movie poster saying at the bottom "You'll believe a man can fly". Well if there was ever a theme that could make you believe that you could fly (or stop an earthquake or save a woman dangling from a crashed helicopter or even reverse time), it was this one. Such a powerful, uplifting & exciting score and it continues to be my all time fav theme to this day.
This soundtrack was the first album I ever bought. I still consider it to be the greatest film score ever composed. It's positively brilliant, every note.
Without John's music I don't think SUPERMAN would of become the success it is. Along with E.T., JAWS, STAR WARS and so many others. He's a master musician. John Williams is the orchestra's best friend. My hero.
Zimmer's theme is nice? It might be if there was an actual theme in there. Fact is, Hans Zimmer was abducted by aliens circa the the late 90s and early 2000s and replaced by a replicant - which is why the score for Pirates of the Caribbean from that time was nothing but a collage entirely comprised of rearranged musical phrases directly lifted mainly from Gladiator, but also from The Rock and Prince of Egypt - and the only actual composition from the true Zimmer we've gotten since then was probably Sherlock Holmes' main theme, which I suspect he was forced to work in by the same aliens that hold him prisoner in order to pass it as the replicant's in order to deflect the many suspicions that undoubtedly were piling up by then amongst melomaniacs from all around the world. We will know for sure whether he's ever rescued or returned back whenever he stops churning out those heaps of aural nothingness, entirely made out of bits and pieces taken from licensed sample libraries and completely devoid of anything vaguely resembling something worthy of the noun 'melody'.
1:31 is pretty much the reason why this theme is so awesome. It literally sings the word. The only other theme I know that sings the title/character is the classic TransFormers theme.
If you analyze every version of the Superman theme, starting with the Fleischer cartoons, to the 50's TV show,.....it seems every composer instinctively used a motif that spoke Su-per-Man.
Yeah except with the Transformers theme there's lyrics. Yeah they're vocoded during some parts (a vocoder being a type of voice synthesizer most commonly used to make the vocalist sound robotic) but for the most part nothing is really left up to the instrumentals. With the Superman theme there's a lot more left up to the imagination. Hell, the fact that there's a motif that seems to say "su-per-man" could just be a lucky coincidence; John Williams might not have intended to do that. Now, just to be clear I am saying this as someone who makes music and not as a critic; amazing things can happen by sheer accident when you're making music and it is such a wonderful experience when it does. Of course I could be wrong; John does have enough musical knowledge and creativity to _intentionally_ create a motif that says "su-per-man" but either way I still think he did an incredible job with this theme.
Boy, I think that opening theme certainly took itself seriously. Those credits and music hit you in the face and heart with the power of a million tons of dynamite. Just incredible thematic imagery and composition.
As a child who grew up with Superman, I expected much from the music of the film... and John Williams, as usual, exceeded my expectations. God bless you, sir.
It's fascinating that Williams approached the score with a sense of fun & camp when what he ultimately wrote is a score that is quite noble and Romantic. I find his score actually elevates the themes & characters - especially Superman (as so cannily interpreted by Reeve who, despite the adulation, never truly receives the due for what he created) to something Classical. Sure, its all lighthearted on the surface, but the richness of the music adds up to something quite emotional and affecting.
John Williams, orchestral, melodic genius who's work will never be forgotten, ever! Hans Zimmer, master of painting the picture in music color giving it texture. Both are geniuses in their own right. However, the Man of Steel score can't be compared to John Williams unforgettable score. Simply because it's too engrained into the idea of Superman. Just hearing the first two measures, the dotted quarter eighth triplet to dotted half note hits from the trumpet, bah bahbahbah baaaaah, you instantly are filled with excitement. And, I don't think it's fair to compare the two. While the John Williams score is timeless and classic, the Zimmer Man of Steel score is Action, suspense drama power and written for a totally different picture, time and textured film. He unfolds the idea and emotion of each moment of the film. It tells the story. Zimmer is genius in his own, as well as Williams is in his own right. Both are my favorites.
I was 12 years old when this movie came out And remember seeing it seeing it on the 1st show of opening night. When the opening fanfare played, the audience broke out into applause.
Yes, to revive Superman, the very first thing that needs to be done is put back at the John Williams compositions. Sure, write new music for appropriate scenes, but for the main theme, or when Superman's full heroic majesty is called for, John Williams' themes are the only way to go.
I find the power that a score adds to film ... that combination of visual and music ... it's so much more than the sum of it's parts. It is to me, miraculous. And seeing how a film comes alive by its music ... it never fails to take my breath away and give me shivers. What beautiful things we can create, eh?
0:36 "No John No!" cries director Richard Donner! who spent his entire commentary track talking about how he tried to inject a sense of realism and seriousness into the film, posting "Verisimilitude!" on the wall of his office, rejecting everything campy, so that "you will believe a man can fly." Boy, did Williams contradict him! Still, he's a genius so all is forgiven. Amazed this comment made the DVD to be honest. Stay tuned for ANOTHER release where the Salkinds give Donner final cut on the special features! lol
I have to disagree - the idea that realism and seriousness is the same as joyless and not fun is the mistaken thinking that gives us Zack Snyder's crap. The other direction is of course the Superman films without Donner and Mankiewicz and the Schumacher Batman films. A great director knows how to strike the natural balance between emotional gravitas and true levity - *that* is the "real" meaning of verisimilitude and I don't think that one could seriously argue that Donner didn't do precisely that.
John Williams could re-write "chopsticks" and make it into a symphony. His genius is beyond words. I can't even think of one modern movie where I came out of the theater and remembered any of the music.
jp3813 I tend to notice that those who enjoyed Man Of Steel aren’t Superman fans at all. I once heard in rant about MOS from someone who’s name escapes me that it’s a film for Superman haters and I couldn’t agree more.
It's an absolute masterpiece and this man is just not from this world. He created an anthem for hope, to remind us that there's still good in people, that no evil shall win if we have faith. Too bad that people with superpowers don't exist, but if they did, how hard it would be to have the mindset and the heart to do good and only use them when it's necessary. Just think about how evil ppl with political power or money can be and how far they can go. I can only hope that if it ever happens, it happens to the most good hearted and humble ppl on earth.
I just cant understand how one man can be responsible for so much iconic music. So many movies would feel so very different if John Williams chose a different career path.
The build up of the music,when I first went to see it in the seventies, really got to me.Yes, as an arranger myself,I noticed the slightly sharp trumpets on the main theme, but if you look back in music recorded history, there is a litany (though maybe not at first noticed,) of squeaks and pops and out of tune instruments. Carl Perkins club at the beginning of his blue suede shoes track,h kept because the rest was so good, the sharp trumpets in the middle of My Girl,etc It makes it human. Williams scores of Superman, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones have a signature lick also, usually a half not followed by a eight note hit( listen to the fifth bar if the main theme.) Also compare the slightly similar theme of the George Reeves tv theme, from which I think may have inspired Williams also.
It’s hard to top this off, the magic of this movie from the directing , the actor who played Superman and the composer of the score , it was magical and powerful impact , it has the heart
This seems to say that John Williams worked best when visuals were not perfect and that he had to be creative to lift them to an emotional connection. It makes a lot of sense because his recent work seems uninspired thanks to the evolved art of editing and visual effects. These days it is rare to find musical themes for movies that are catchy and stays in memory.
In my opinion, great films are only great and memorable because of their great soundtracks and scores. Fair enough, the plot, acting and directing etc, all have their parts as well, but really, all great films have wonderful soundtracks, either by score or songs. Films like Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, Superman, Titanic, Star Wars, all great films, yet they wouldn't be half as great, or at least wouldn't be nearly as memorable without their scores. The two go hand in hand really.
The Superman theme is so great that it's better than the film. I remember going to see it aged about 6, and I still remember the uncontrollable excitement of hearing that music over those titles. I saw Star Wars, when? The previous year? And I don't remember that at all.
no doubt, but how is the new movie more character driven? Christopher reeve's character was more believable/relatable. you got the feeling he was honorable, and kindhearted. in man of steel he seemed more like just "a guy wearing the superman suit". and gene hackman as lex luther? show me a stronger character.
I was laughing my ARSE off to this all the way through! Listen to them all playin' it cool! They know it's one of the best most iconic theme in cinematic history! LIKE A BOSS!
Interesting what Williams says when Donner's whole mantra was that Superman needed to take itself seriously. He had the script rewritten to stop it being camp, knowing and theatrical. I've always thought that Williams music mostly echoes that. More Fanfare for the Common Man than vaudeville.
Superman music is my favorite hero to listen to for a theme, there are others, but Superman and Supergirl are my favorite. John knows how to take song and give it flight himself, it's powerful, it's uplifting, makes you feel like you can touch the sky.
John Williams theme for SUPERMAN rivals Handel's Hallulujah chorus in MESSIAH. Agree or not Superman is a messianic figure and was created by a couple of Jewish kids from Cleveland. He was the only son sent to earth by his father to save it. Not to score touchdowns. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q4MHuwO7e9o.html I wonder if John Williams has this in mind.
I always love hearing Maurice Murphy hit that first g so sharp. D, D, G,....hits it so hard and powerfully it goes a bit sharp. It's extremely exciting to me the way it came out. The way they let it come out. They didn't redo it. It's a big exciting, muscular score and they let their players play it big, exciting and use a lot of muscle. Takes a lot of muscle to do that part and Murphy and London Symphony surely had it. Bravo to him and Williams! Every time a hear another pops group do it, Boston, Cleveland,...whoever,....good groups mind you,....but it takes me out of the moment when they try to do it so perfect and without the passion and energy this version had. Go for it men.
I'm with you, sure Lex was a bit too campy & so was the Otis character. but I agree Reeve was Superman! Strong, confident, but kind hearted & had a sense of humor too. Everything these days is so damn dark, bleak, violent & depressing. Even the new costume looked like Spider-Man left overs!
I used to test my theater's sound system with the theme, and people working in the theater would leap into the air as they crossed the house or the stage. No one ever minded it.
The narrator comment is right: the music (namely the Superman 'march') add soul to the theme. It's such a pity that they didn't add it to Man of Steel.
I am so piss off that Superman theme song wasn't in Man of Steel. Image having Star Wars without the music them same with Jaws Harry Potter Indiana Jones Jurassic Park/Jurassic World and another classic music in the movie it would suck
Out of all the superhero movie themes over the years I think John Williams Superman theme is still #1 with Danny Elfman’s 1989 Batman theme at #2 and Alan Silvestri’s Avenger Endgame Main on End at #3
John williams's Superman score is blazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! So many great tracks from this score its almost impossible to name them all. Some of the most notable tracks from the score are "The planet Krypton " and "Sonic greeting " cues!! The whole score is a masterpiece that only John could've pulled off!!!
I was just watching the movie last night! The Superman March is one of the most beautiful themes John Williams ever composed. Ths first pop culture reference of I i have seen was Quest for Camelot. The scene where Devin and Cornwall are flying to save Aidan the Falcon from the Griffin!
So John Williams felt this tune didn't take itself too seriously, much like the movie. Interesting. I thought it was brilliant and didn't really sense an element of camp in the tune but he would know better than me. If they had put more effort into making Superman a bit more serious but still uplifting 70s blockbuster action superhero film, wouldn't this tune still fit?
John's score should have stayed across all Superman movies! I remember watching this as a 17 year old in the Big west end screen and the Music just blew me away when the credits started and the big S appeared!
More than any other theme which seems inseparable from its subject - even "Jaws" -"Superman" (along with "The Magnificent 7") seems 2B the most unassailable - it's so perfectly suited that like many great compositions, it seems to have always existed but merely been sleeping in our subconscious until a composer gives it voice. The first time we all heard it, a voice within probably said, not, "That seems so right", but "Ah, there it is, as I have always known it but forgot for just a moment."
Just think, this is the guy that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas trust to score all of their movies. He's the only one they call on. This one is my favorite theme. It'll be interesting to see what Hans Zimmer's take will be when "Man Of Steel' comes out June 14.
That's how 90% of all movies have been since the mid 1990's. All effects/CGI, endless chaes scenes, violence & sex. With very few exceptions. Like Indianna Jones,etc.
They should have waited with the 1977 Oscar one year.Cause Superman is,for me,better than Star Wars. But they couldnt give him 2 Oscars in a row i think.
