> I agree with Mr. Spielberg too. John Williams is the best storyteller,
> because when you listen to his scores you can imagine the particular film
> scenes.

> I love Jerry Goldsmith very much, but he cannot tell the story so
> precisely as Williams can. I think Goldsmith is very good in depicting the
> atmosphere and character of the entire film (Alien, Planet of the Apes,
> Basic Instinct,...).

> That's why in the case of Williams's scores (especially his grand scores -
> Star Wars saga, Indiana Jones trilogy, E.T., etc.) it is so important to
> know the film and to hear complete score in chronological form. It is the
> only way to fully appreciate his music. Because he tells the story. It is
> also the reason why Williams's music is unlistenable in many cases,
> because it is so tight connected with the particular film scene, which
> requires this kind of music.

> But in the case of Goldsmith's scores it is not so important. Because his
> music is not connected so tight with the film. That's maybe the reason why
> Goldsmith don't like long soundtracks. It is not necessary for his style.
> He is known he frequently use one or two prominent themes which go
> throught the entire film and are excellent, but the rest of the score is
> not so interesting (Chinatown, Rambo trilogy, Under Fire, Hoosiers,
> Sleepeing with the Enemy, Basic Instinct, Medicine Man, Rudy, The Edge,
> Small Soldiers,...etc). It fits perfectly in the film but it doesn't tell
> the story in such a precision as Williams's scores do.

> It is my opinion but I think John Williams is better storyteller than
> Goldsmith is. That is the reason why Goldsmith's scores are in many cases
> more listenable because they are not so tight connected with the film. I
> own many Goldsmith's scores but when I'm listening to each of them I
> cannot imagine the particular film scenes. But when I'm listening to Star
> Wars or Indiana Jones scores I'm able to imagine every single scene of the
> film.> John Williams is an excellent composer and he may be a better storyteller than Goldsmith, but like Goldsmith has said before, it's not his job to tell the story. That is the director's job. Jerry Goldsmith, to me, is a master. No, not all of his soundtracks are the "best" listen but Goldsmith knows how to get underneath the fabric of a film and create an atmosphere, whereas, Williams to me, goes way over the top too often, yet I still do love JW's work. But like the great Bernard Herrmann, JG will always be my fav.