I’ve just finally got to see the movie after a whole host of minor disruptions at home and thus I have been able to lift my own media embargo (it’s been tough!) and catch up. I have to say, I enjoyed the movie but it’s definitely good over great. I’d agree with Tim in the main on performances in particular - although I thought the Hugo “narrator” character did add some gravity in a way. I have to say it’s a beautiful movie at times, if always a little strange and for me a little mixed in message / missing some momentum at times. As for the score, well, some stunning omissions as always from the soundtrack release and just a gem, a total gem and many of the tracks I didn’t enjoy on listen one are now my favourites meaning it’s a great one ! To you Tim, enjoy the rest - thank you for your amazing work and hopefully you’ll not look away first !
I don't think I noticed anything egregiously left off the album. I guess my favorite moment in the whole film is the panic attack in the train car full of pianos. Stunning.
I can't read the majority of this article yet as I haven't been able to get out to see Disclosure Day (next week, I hope), but I read the end/coda. I'm actually glad you're not going to force yourself to find something to write about just to keep it going - that would diminish the work you've gifted us with until now. You've given us your best, so we won't settle for less....even if that means fewer posts, perhaps far apart. That said, I'll eagerly read anything you choose to share, and will anticipate your future projects (and hey, I still have your Disclosure Day article to read next week once I've seen it!) Best wishes, and thanks for the incredible adventure on Earth as we travelled through mines and shark infested waters, skimmed along the waters of Neverland, and found ourselves in Jurassic Park. You always kept your whip handy, you climbed Devil's Tower, and brought us places where dreams come true. It's been a blast!
Ok, finally saw DD! I probably liked it slightly more than you, but didn’t quite love it. It’s so good in parts - Spielberg can still do suspense and action better than anyone. The concept of “diving” was fascinating to me. I actually liked the Josh O’Connor, Eve Hewson and Colin Firth performances - although I felt that Colman Domingo was Mis-identified in the credits - it should have read “and Colman Domingo as “Deus Ex Machina!” My problem was the climax - didn’t find the house stuff landed, but more than that didn’t buy that the world would instantly accept this footage as real - that shattered my sense of wonder, and it wasn’t necessary given the last figure to appear in the movie. Some of that stuff clunked rather than soared. I heard the Williams score out of context and was already knocked out by “Listen”, but I think I’ll appreciate the rest more now that I’ve heard it on screen - it all works PERFECTLY in context. It’s a quality movie and I’m glad to have it, but won’t reshuffle my own top ten W/S collaborations. Last weird thought - it shares DNA with E.T and CE3K for sure….but almost felt more like a stealth sequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in some respects! That wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card….
“Listen” has for me the spirit of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. There’s a similar emotional intensity in the strings. (And the finest recording of that piece, by Sir John Barbirolli, was done at Bernard Herrmann’s suggestion in a church.)
I agree with everything shared in your review. Very similar thoughts on the score and film. Thank you for creating such wonderful resources and sharing rare insight into our beloved Maestro Williams. It was truly a massive chunk of your life, I’m sure. Best of luck with all your future endeavors!
Thanks, Tim, for your analysis of the score. Both the film and score (especially the score) were really great. Dark atmosphere, subtle textures, a couple of gut-wrenching action sequences, beautiful passages of wonder and religioso. I am not ashamed to admit that I shed a couple of tears at certain moments (especially the “celestial…” sequence). I’ve seen Disclosure Day four times, as well as immersed myself in the soundtrack album. I always discover something new. Thanks for your Substack as well and sharing your experience and collaboration with the beloved Maestro. Thank you.
Thanks John! I'm glad you found the film and score so moving. I am sure my relationship to the movie will evolve with time, as it has with every other Spielberg/Williams project.
On a related note, I don’t know if you’ve read these, but I wanted to share two articles by film critic Bilge Ebiri, one of many who gave a positive review/reflection. I also share his sentiments.
Note that the second article is a reflection on the ending of the film.
Another related note: if you or anyone else has not already read, Jon Burlingame provided a great article on the Maestro and his score for Disclosure Day.
I’ve just finally got to see the movie after a whole host of minor disruptions at home and thus I have been able to lift my own media embargo (it’s been tough!) and catch up. I have to say, I enjoyed the movie but it’s definitely good over great. I’d agree with Tim in the main on performances in particular - although I thought the Hugo “narrator” character did add some gravity in a way. I have to say it’s a beautiful movie at times, if always a little strange and for me a little mixed in message / missing some momentum at times. As for the score, well, some stunning omissions as always from the soundtrack release and just a gem, a total gem and many of the tracks I didn’t enjoy on listen one are now my favourites meaning it’s a great one ! To you Tim, enjoy the rest - thank you for your amazing work and hopefully you’ll not look away first !
I ain't going anywhere! And that score will only get better with age. It's a gift.
Out of interest, What did you think/spot was missing from the score album the movie ? Did you have a visually favourite moment ?
I don't think I noticed anything egregiously left off the album. I guess my favorite moment in the whole film is the panic attack in the train car full of pianos. Stunning.
I can't read the majority of this article yet as I haven't been able to get out to see Disclosure Day (next week, I hope), but I read the end/coda. I'm actually glad you're not going to force yourself to find something to write about just to keep it going - that would diminish the work you've gifted us with until now. You've given us your best, so we won't settle for less....even if that means fewer posts, perhaps far apart. That said, I'll eagerly read anything you choose to share, and will anticipate your future projects (and hey, I still have your Disclosure Day article to read next week once I've seen it!) Best wishes, and thanks for the incredible adventure on Earth as we travelled through mines and shark infested waters, skimmed along the waters of Neverland, and found ourselves in Jurassic Park. You always kept your whip handy, you climbed Devil's Tower, and brought us places where dreams come true. It's been a blast!
This is too kind. Thank you for affirming my decision, Scott! And my D-Day post will be right here waiting for you...
Ok, finally saw DD! I probably liked it slightly more than you, but didn’t quite love it. It’s so good in parts - Spielberg can still do suspense and action better than anyone. The concept of “diving” was fascinating to me. I actually liked the Josh O’Connor, Eve Hewson and Colin Firth performances - although I felt that Colman Domingo was Mis-identified in the credits - it should have read “and Colman Domingo as “Deus Ex Machina!” My problem was the climax - didn’t find the house stuff landed, but more than that didn’t buy that the world would instantly accept this footage as real - that shattered my sense of wonder, and it wasn’t necessary given the last figure to appear in the movie. Some of that stuff clunked rather than soared. I heard the Williams score out of context and was already knocked out by “Listen”, but I think I’ll appreciate the rest more now that I’ve heard it on screen - it all works PERFECTLY in context. It’s a quality movie and I’m glad to have it, but won’t reshuffle my own top ten W/S collaborations. Last weird thought - it shares DNA with E.T and CE3K for sure….but almost felt more like a stealth sequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in some respects! That wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card….
I too was reminded (too much) of Crystal Skull. The more time has gone by, the less I like this movie. Alas!
“Listen” has for me the spirit of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. There’s a similar emotional intensity in the strings. (And the finest recording of that piece, by Sir John Barbirolli, was done at Bernard Herrmann’s suggestion in a church.)
An apt comparison! And of course I love the Herrmann connection.
The perfect coda to your long, remarkable adventure.
Great article Tim, and thank you for all your awesome articles these past months! I hope you enjoy a well earned break!
Thanks very much!
I agree with everything shared in your review. Very similar thoughts on the score and film. Thank you for creating such wonderful resources and sharing rare insight into our beloved Maestro Williams. It was truly a massive chunk of your life, I’m sure. Best of luck with all your future endeavors!
“That…was a great…game” 😊
Thank you so much! To live will be an awfully big adventure...
Thank you Tim,for the excellent book,and articles.
I still haven't had the chance to watch the film, but my expectations on it are close to what you actually talked about.
As for the music, "listen..." alone is just pure, magical, Williams. As are so many other tracks on the album. But that one hits all my heartstrings.
It's so, so special.
Thanks, Tim, for your analysis of the score. Both the film and score (especially the score) were really great. Dark atmosphere, subtle textures, a couple of gut-wrenching action sequences, beautiful passages of wonder and religioso. I am not ashamed to admit that I shed a couple of tears at certain moments (especially the “celestial…” sequence). I’ve seen Disclosure Day four times, as well as immersed myself in the soundtrack album. I always discover something new. Thanks for your Substack as well and sharing your experience and collaboration with the beloved Maestro. Thank you.
Thanks John! I'm glad you found the film and score so moving. I am sure my relationship to the movie will evolve with time, as it has with every other Spielberg/Williams project.
On a related note, I don’t know if you’ve read these, but I wanted to share two articles by film critic Bilge Ebiri, one of many who gave a positive review/reflection. I also share his sentiments.
Note that the second article is a reflection on the ending of the film.
https://www.vulture.com/article/disclosure-day-review-spielbergs-most-personal-alien-movie.html
https://www.vulture.com/article/lets-talk-about-the-ending-of-disclosure-day.html
Another related note: if you or anyone else has not already read, Jon Burlingame provided a great article on the Maestro and his score for Disclosure Day.
https://variety.com/2026/artisans/news/disclosure-day-john-williams-steven-spielberg-1236779833/