George Lucas toasts John Williams

At the 44th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to John Williams, filmmaker George Lucas toasts the composer and talks about the iconic and enduring music for the STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES films.
The Tribute took place at the Dolby Theatre on June 9, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
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[@stevensarens7700]

"Same place where you set your camera", brilliant.

[@ArthurKnight1899]

Balls on that man to reply Hitchcock that way lmao

[@asdrubalperezrocha2920]

You don't fool me Mr Hitchcock. ..

[@theofrustus3170]

Proof that the cameraman in omniscient

[@apocbible]

Greatest film composer ever

[@pikkuadi]

Not just a film composer, but a music composer.

[@rachel89075]

+Treebeard +

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

Let's not be hasty with such assesments. Yes Williams is apart from Korngold and Herrmann the greatest film composer ever. But music composer? That is a different kind of story even if one counts his ventures into the non-film music he wrote. Bach, Mozart and Beethoven are the ones who share that crown. Others that came after them aspired to their greatness, many came close. Very close. But none have ever reached their complete level of perfection.

[@pikkuadi]

Quotenwagnerianer I don't mean he's the best music composer ever. But his peers are the ones you listed.

[@Eldor503]

Actually I think every period and culture has its geniuses and you can't really compare them. Does it make any sens to compare Haydn with Chopin? Or Brahms with Debussy? Or Scott Joplin with The Beatles? But Williams is certainly one of the greatest geniuses of our time in his style (symphonic music with pop music elements) and he certainly is one of the most important (if not the most important) character of film music's history.

[@Germoney814]

This man created one of the greatest franchises of all time and John Williams created one of the best scores in cinema history.

[@matthewloughran73]

I think John Williams has created more than one of the best scores in cinema history.

[@RKL6275]

Adolf Hitler then why are you even here

[@milaanvigraham8664]

@Adolf Hitler Not the score, oh definitely not

[@nikotakai8796]

@@milaanvigraham8664 And not the story holy shit. Star Wars is incredibly weird and just a piece of art.

[@artkub5396]

That speech is a proof that George Lucas is capable to write a decent monologue.

[@GreenFalcon926]

He's always been a good writer, just not at romance.

[@MysterDaftGame]

Yeah but he still doesn't like sand

[@Jared_Wignall]

@@GreenFalcon926 the upshot is with Star Wars being a space opera, the melodramatic dialogue works in his favor.

[@SamvedIyer]

@@Jared_Wignall Indeed the dialogue is quite sensible on many an occasion; people truly make a mountain out of a molehill.

[@tom3167]

Brilliant

[@MINDxWORM]

Fun fact: this whole scene was actually filmed without George there. Everyone was laughing and clapping at random times. George was digitally inserted in post production.

[@megatronsroyalemissary382]

Terrible plot. AND NOT ENOUGH CGI!!!!

[@javierponce3097]

the crowed clapped first

[@covfefe95]

Best comment ever.

[@WorkLeftTV]

hahahahahahaha lol! well done! I love George btw

[@xBeeeefy]

God

[@WeaponizedAutism7]

I love how George seems like he's making it all about himself and then you realize he's dropping compliments like thermonuclear bombs

[@justinmacarrhur1924]

Exactly. Considering what he has done, this really showed what a wonderful person he is.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

I often wonder what George Lucas would look like without a beard.

[@afonsolucas2219]

Huh...

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

Afonso Lucas How would we define the position where his head ends, and his neck begins?

[@afonsolucas2219]

Sloth from The Goonies Shit, never even thought of that!

[@baboom007]

Like Steven Spielberg

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

Litshttam But that was before his neck began to consume his face.

[@jcsfx710]

In my honest heartfelt truth i believe that john williams is the Mozart of our times... his music will live on and inspire everyone for generations to come... i'm glad he is still at work and has that young spark that makes his music seem brilliant.. thank you john for many emotions i have felt in movies right when the proper notes hit the center of my heart.

[@yodapadawan1825]

Goooood

[@darthvader5532]

Not at all, Mozart was kinda like the Brittany Spears of the classical Era, he's more like Stravinsky and Brahm.

[@Drogers8675]

@@darthvader5532 leave Brittany alone

[@darthvader5532]

@@Drogers8675 I love Britney. But seriously, Mozart was during his era, pop music. It was bouncy, playful, and flighty.

[@Drogers8675]

@@darthvader5532 just joking dude

[@tektoniks_architects]

The contributions of Williams, Lucas, and Spielberg to popular culture are immeasurable.

[@baboom007]

Music is the magic dust of movies - beautiful speech

[@porsche911sbs]

"pixie dust" is a more common expression though

[@aronorenda]

"Music is the cocaine of Movies"

[@vincentknight27]

Great speech from a great artist

[@craighicksartwork]

And a great person

[@theofrustus3170]

@@craighicksartwork Worth 4.3 billion

[@justinmacarrhur1924]

People don't realise what a wonderful person Lucas is to say these things.

[@dirtyharry1844]

I´m really sick of these fanboys everywhere...Steven Spielberg,George Lucas,John Williams...they are LEGENDS. These guys realized much more than any frustrated fanboy here could do in his lifetime.

[@BostonRedSoxForever]

+Dirty Harry: Right, but don't let them get to you. Idiotic fanboys are all over the place, no matter what topic it's about. John Williams will always be No.1, regardless of what those pseudo-experts say or type.

[@yodapadawan1825]

STROOOONG YOU ARE. HENS FORTH YOU SHALL BE know as LORD Ass-WIPPER .......

[@caddaye7687]

Jonsin 1459 you aren’t entirely wrong but I think that we’ve gone from giving Lucas too much credit to too little. He was still very important. Some of the ideas from people we now accredit stuff to were not good. I believe it’s best to admire Lucas for giving us a good trilogy back then AND recognise that it was not just his efforts but also other people.

[@siverttungen7124]

Jonsin 1459 A new hope was all George

[@daniellaniganohara2456]

@@siverttungen7124 his wife helped flesh the movie out as well. Appearently the first cut wasn't that great.

[@drlupe4232]

Without John Williams, Star Wars remains a movie for ten year olds. With him, well, here we are over 40 years later and Star Wars remaining one of the best movie franchises ever

[@incapablecookie8021]

What many do not understand is that the great composers of the past, such as Mozart, were writing pieces of their own period - not looking back at their predecessors. Just as Mozart created music for operas, Williams makes music for films. They made music for the media of their time. With that it mind, it is safe to say that Williams is truly one of the best composers in our era.

[@E_Clip]

Thats probably one of the best compliments i've ever heard: composer first, all the rest later.

[@WDGcentral0224]

It's gonna be great.

[@seb666fuckers]

shut up

[@loganmenchaca]

fuck you

[@slyguythreeonetwonine3172]

Star Wars, Superman: The Movie, Indiana Jones: Movies I loved to death as a kid. I liked the music when I was a kid, but being a kid, I didn't appreciate it to it's fullest extent. But now that I am much older, many pieces of music from those movies damn near movie me to tears. And I am not a guy who is moved to tears, or even moved emotionally very easily. But sitting and watching the opening to Star Wars, or Superman, or Indi, brings a joy to me that few things in life ever have. Hearing the music when Superman and Lois first fly together warms my heart like nothing on Earth ever has. I don't think it's a stretch to say, these movies wouldn't be half as good, had anyone else been at the helm of the composition of music. They don't make movies like they used to, and they sure as hell don't compose music in movies at all anymore. It's such a shame that an integral piece of movie magic has been completely lost to an entire generation of young movie going dreamers. In fact it breaks my heart knowing these kids will not have what I had when I was a kid in that regard, and I hate kids. Thanks Mr. Williams for all the memories and emotions your music has invoked throughout your career. I know my life would be far darker, had it not been for them. Thank you sir.

[@eddierodrgz77]

Me too, those are my favorite scores of all time! Along with E.T.

[@Megalith79]

There’s so many really solid composers out there, one of my personal favorites is Hans Zimmer. His “No Time for Caution” from Interstellar, opening day, in the IMAX was unforgettable. But John Williams is like the Yoda to his Mace Windu; there is none sitting atop him. John Williams is the apex pinnacle of the modern eras musical talent. The Imperial March is Unanimously recognized across our globe as the most recognizable piece of music in existence, and for good reason. I could make several long-ass paragraphs praising this man and the musical genius he brings to the table, and the impact of his music over the course of my life. But I’ll shorten it down to simply saying he, and his music, “captured the imagination - of the entire planet.” That is an accolade less than a handful of people, in the history of people, can say they’ve accomplished. To John Williams, we honor, and salute thee.

[@lepton_01]

Star Wars wouldn't have happened without John Williams.

[@wolfebro8496]

It would of happened. It just wouldn't have existed how we know it to be and would of only been 1 movie. It wouldn't have been successful

[@ZukoHalliwell]

When they first announced that John Williams would be composing the Star Wars sequel trilogy, I was so relieved. Disney may be able to make a Star Wars movie without George Lucas, but they could never make a Star Wars movie without John Williams.

[@700Penguin]

Great words from a great legend.

[@slionscricket1723]

Thank you SO MUCH for putting this up! John Williams is an absolute legend of the cinematic art form and this Life Achievement Award is LONG overdue.

[@Daryl_Phillips_]

It’s John Williams birthday today. Great composer! 89!

[@masterxl97]

John Williams is probably the most beloved and respected living person in Hollywood.

[@HeyCrabman14]

I think that it's the longest time I've heard George Lucas talk! 😳 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@geetadhumane5793]

George is so lucky that he walks in and that Star wars music plays....and he knows that he has created it❤️

[@tae-yunlee7658]

Seeing the respect between these masters of their crafts , brings warm feelings to my heart

[@pianoraves]

Even George himself couldn't identify this as a deepfake

[@NorthernLaw_]

Its a fake george

[@danielt.8573]

JJ is absolutely a deepfake. He's not good enough to be there.

[@Marchew1200]

Music in Star Wars gives me chills everytime I hear it

[@duranvader]

Sir John Williams, Sir George Lucas, Sir Steven Spielberg you guys "made my life so easy" as well with all those great films! Thank you Guys!

[@MdW4177]

It’s not mere “popular” art, George. What John composed is now and forever Art.

[@NULUSIOS]

The collective genius of those three people there (referring to Spielberg also)... DAMN...

[@yuljohnson5502]

Well said George, George and Steven's taste in music is superb. Cause when you hire a master like John williams to score movies like Star wars and Indiana Jones that's showing nothing but appreciation to true art!!!

[@crazycappy01]

John Williams. BRILLIANT musical composer and conductor. How many films has he composed during my lifetime that I've watched since my childhood? LOTS!!! Another genius musical composer, Jerry Goldsmith, who composed the music for 5 out of 13 Star Trek films. What John did for Star Wars, Jerry did for Star Trek.

[@aaronbarlow4376]

If ANYONE deserves an AFI it's John Williams.

[@tigerraven]

My dream is to play in the orchestra conducted by John williams

[@larrydavis4019]

It is truly wonderful to have all 3 of my favorite gentlemen together. My 2 favorite directors, & my favorite composer. When they are together I know that all is well, and that I don't have to worry about anything. 👍😀👍😀👍😀

[@Ma_Ba]

"Is there music in space?" had me scanning the crowd reaction shots for Carrie Fisher; this echoes Carrie Fisher's alerting us all to George Lucas' assertion that "There is no underwear in space" because gravity would change your breast to bra size and you would be "strangled by your own bra." I longed to find Carrie Fisher cheering this on with a smile emanating from her face.

[@VorticieFilms]

I would’ve given this man a standing ovation. What a literal legend.

[@carefulpilgrim]

John Williams’ music is amazing! His themes for Sherlock are so different from anything else he’s created, and yet so suited for the incredible intellect and strangeness of Sherlock, and the amusement and perturbance of his partner, Dr. Watson.

[@tom3167]

The biggest humble brag I’ve ever witnessed

[@claytonskids6764]

What a team! George Lucas and John Williams ! Thanks for the magic Guys 🤗

[@holygramatha4978]

Someone: John Williams isn’t THAT good Everyone: AUF WIEDERSHEN FUCKBOY

[@Cortesevasive]

Anthony zimmer : hold my lightsaber

[@francis7181]

I just love George:)

[@jal2550]

Steven, George and John....nothing better

[@MeiZu0606]

Magestic the masters of the cinema in USA not like today they are pure genius together forever!!!

[@fesinax4440]

Wow the like/dislike ratio ist really something. You just cant hate good music...

[@ejvindandersen8153]

Love it.

[@bfkc111]

The speech was really good and fun, and quite true.

[@SCharlesDennicon]

Legends.

[@connorsvoes6035]

John is a living legend

[@ctsr1117]

George Lucas and John Williams are both of my favourite people.

[@bitflux2]

wow such nice high praise

[@kohZeei]

Williams can make any movie great!

[@robertszvetics210]

THAT DAMM MUSIC FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE

[@Jedigrandmaster6637]

Disney will never give this guy the respect he deserves

[@wesleydamaschino8047]

I remember watching a John Williams concert. He was over 80 years old, and I expected him to be weak and frail. But he was talking at length about the history of how he composed his most iconic pieces, telling jokes, and when he conducted, he had so much energy. I was amazed and inspired, and now I'm a composer as well. Now he's 90, and he fully deserves to have lived such a long, fulfilling life.

[@wagnerbertolino2]

The best speech! I'm taking some snippets for my sermon this Sunday😄

[@8teillumin]

A beautiful heartfelt honour from one of the greatest modern storytellers to another great creator of music whom has defined a new art form of cinematic music cheers 🥂 to John Williams

[@bartoszdulas1703]

It's awesome how you can clearly see the love and admiration between Williams, Lucas and Spielberg. I would love to see another epic story created by this Holy Trinity of My Childhood

[@rjkral]

That my friends is an excellent speech

[@donmorton4597]

From one creative genius to another

[@toddgrogg2810]

Seeing mr.tom Hanks, huge smile is so great when he saw George, is fantastic.

[@yasikamahendra]

Spielberg, Lucas, & Williams. Legends!

[@spacewiz163]

John Williams has a brilliant musical mind🙂😌🎧

[@thehunter7422]

If John Williams and Howard Shore decide to make music together it could probably tilt the earth . It'll be too magical to understand what is happening . For those who don't who Howard Shore is he composed music for Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit , King Kong (2006 ) History of Violence and many other movies . He's very underated .

[@willpeony5534]

Not King Kong 2006, Kong squashed him.

[@ForceMaximus84]

I really wish George Lucas would make more of the weird, artsy stuff he kept saying he would.

[@xixingpooh]

He has, its just not for the public to see

[@Jared_Wignall]

Air Nomads yeah. Only way anyone could see it is if they’re his friend or family. Otherwise, nobody will get to see his films.

[@zadaofficial8091]

@Demarcus Liggernips Butthurt much??? And i'm pretty sure the Disney trilogy proved once and for all Lucas is NOT a hack!

[@zadaofficial8091]

@Jonsin 1459 There was just as much collaboration for the PT as was for the OT. And final say on both was always his. If you want SW without Lucas go watch the Disney abominations.... It's about time people like you quit your ignorant bitching...

[@clark5317]

I really hope they are eventually released and we can see them.

[@davefox1857]

JOHN WILLIAMS IS A GOD!

[@DavidRLentz]

These three, including Mr. Spielberg, have given me the lion's share of the most astounding--I am looking for a far more accurate, all- encompassing word than just "entertainment"; my eclectic, extensive vocabulary, however, fails me--richness of experience on multiple levels (that comes close) that just to outline them would fill a large book. (As an excellent writer and an aspiring novelist, I first would expect a publishing contract and an arrangement for my novels.) I cherish them so that I wish I over the past decades could have known them as actual friends.

[@nicholasmontoya5483]

I love John Williams and his work on Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. 🦈🌌🤠👽

[@squamish4244]

Lucas said that amidst the endless frustrations and disappointments of making ANH, hearing the music was the first time his expectations were not just met, but surpassed.

[@captindo]

Redlettermedia did a wonderful job explaining his utter brilliance with the star wars prequels. Very cool.

[@andreaconti9927]

C'mon, George is a great man. We can blame him for making three not-so-good SW movies (and I think I'm generous calling them "not so good"), but he also shaped from nothing the modern way cinematography is intended, and, don't forget, it's thanks to him if we have that dream factory called Pixar, today. Thanks to him and to Steve Jobs, of course. When he will be gone, then we all will miss a piece of our childhood.

[@BostonRedSoxForever]

So true.

[@DaTurdburglar]

people dont realize the amount of technological advancement he has contributed to the field/industry

[@EvoSwatch]

three? the only bad Star Wars movie is TFA

[@aseth9541]

t6253 | he didn't make TFA and TLJ

[@HOODCHRYMER]

Revenge of the Sith is probably one of the BEST and emotional Star Wars movie ever!

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

As humble as John is, I know it must feel a bit awkward hearing these high praises, but, Mr. Williams, you deserve them all. JW3HH

[@theriocassius4338]

JustWasted3HoursHere I would be too nervous to speak.

[@markhodgkinson7299]

The Yoda of film composers.

[@SledgeNE]

Star Wars FOREVER! ♥

[@davidjoe3368]

Both Lucas and Speilberg owe their careers and success to John Williams. No doubt about it.

[@yodapadawan1825]

Impressive most impressive. The Emperor will compensate you if he lives another year.

[@ReveredDead]

I really wish George Lucas would come out of retirement and create a brand new absolute monster hit of a new franchise. Not Star Wars or Indiana Jones like but an entirely new thing. I bet you money he still has it in him.

[@cryptohalloffame]

star wars wasn't a movie, it was a tidal wave of fantasy that became our reality

[@vitoraguiar9376]

Entendi porcaria nenhuma, mas estou aqui pra pretigiar este gênio que é o John Williams.

[@Account-user]

I was first enraged at how many years they took to award the legendary film composer.... But then I think it's right.... With the passage of time, the worth of his masterpieces have only increased for films like Star Wars, Jaws, ET, Indiana Jones have now secured a permanent place in the abyss of cinematic history as absolute classics!!!

[@TheChilipepper77]

Story telling genius toasts music genius

[@Ladondorf]

Going off the title, I thought George Lucas was gonna roast John Williams.

[@Ma_Ba]

The Jimmy Fallon late show has a clip on You Tube of the squares stacked screen array of new and old cast members doing an a capella rendition of the theme to Star Wars.

[@jws1272]

STAR WARS would not have been as good as it ever was.........without JOHN TOWNER WILLIAMS!!! Of all the difficulties that George Lucas had in getting STAR WARS made...................one of the best parts of it was JOHN WILLIAMS!!

[@waggner2089]

La puissance respecte la puissance

[@jws1272]

Can I just say something? AWWWWW!

[@user-hk7hz9cn7v]

Music is really the make or break of a great film. You can have it all but without an amazing soundtrack it will never tick every box. John Williams is a perfect example of that along with Hans Zimmer. Take away his amazing compositions for the first Star Wars and it wouldn’t even be close to the masterpiece it became

[@maozedong9813]

❤

[@codekhalil6437]

John Williams, thank you. The sequel trilogy had (imho) the best of your work. Star Wars isn't Star Wars without you.

[@holygramatha4978]

Code Khalil I don’t think BEST, but definitely still outstanding

[@83viraj]

My Idol Sir John Williams 😎💐💐🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶 Love you Sir ...The God Of Film Music 🎧👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👊🏻👊🏻😎😎

[@80sROCKKKKK]

There's a reason why Williams' best tune is star wars... George really understood the importance of music in his film, and sat down with John Williams everytime he was composing, unlike JJ Abrams who just left him clueless hoping he'd just give him everything with no input.

[@garrett6064]

Uhmm... No. In fact for another movie Spielberg asked to hear what he had so far and William's played him a bit on the piano. Spielberg told him to change it, it wouldnt work. That music is probably more iconic than Star Wars. It was for Jaws. He doesnt need or want any input from them.

[@Owny33]

The voice in the beginning says "33rd" while it's written "44th" ^^ Thanks for the upload, that's great !

[@yakuzashibe]

"The recipient of the 33rd Life Achievement award, George Lucas!"

[@Owny33]

@@yakuzashibe Ow! ok my bad haha

[@AwsomeDragon]

2:25 JJ ABRAMS

[@Danlovar]

Jar Jar Abrams!!

[@michaelhaydn9504]

"Is there music in space?" George Lucas.... Are we not in space? you know, part of the solar system, the universe?

[@grantmalone]

Space |spās| noun - the physical universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. - the near vacuum extending between the planets and stars, containing small amounts of gas and dust.

[@korav1]

I really would like to ask those 12 “people” whom disliked this video, why? Can one of you please answer?

[@howardhegg5446]

Is there anyway that i reach Mr Lucus by phone. ? Its very important. !! This man is just about the hardest man to reach. !!

[@BeazleyStudios]

It is always weird to see George NOT wearing flannel.