In the broad-ranging history of Hollywood, both Star Wars and Harry Potter remain among the dominant franchises that continue to entice viewers with their compelling fantasy universe. While one focuses on the science fiction genre set in a distant galaxy, the latter is a world of magic, wizards, and mythical creatures.
While both are purely a work of fiction, there is one similarity between the two and that is their musical score. Both Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Hayden Christensen starrer Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones uses the same musical score by John Williams during their vital ‘chase’ scenes.
Star Wars And Harry Potter’s Musical Connection
While Harry Potter is set in a fictional world where a secret magical world exists side by side with ours, Star Wars is set in a faraway galaxy with many planets, stars, and civilizations. One is rooted in science fiction and fantasy and the other has witches, wizards, spells, and broomsticks. Despite the vast difference, they share a musical connection.
The celebrated composer, John Williams was the man behind the musical score for both Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones. In the former, one can hear the score when Harry is busy chasing the snitch while simultaneously avoiding Draco and Dobby’s cursed bludger during a Quidditch match.
While in Star Wars the same track, which is labeled as the Zam the Assassin and the Chase Through Coruscant, plays in the background when Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are chasing an assassin thousands of feet up in the air.
In the former the music creates a perfect impression of a chase, keeping the fans on the edge, while in the latter the score helps keep the tension and pressure alive as the two Jedi rush to catch the assassin.
Star Wars And Harry Potter Connection: A Mistake Or Intentional?
For years this mystery has continued to confuse fans for there have been no official statements about it. While the same piece makes its way to the official soundtrack list for Hayden Christensen‘s Star Wars prequel, it isn’t included in the official soundtrack list of Harry Potter.
While we may never know whether it was intentional or just an error, we do know that John Williams at the time was busy with many movies and hence received some extra help from composer William Ross for Harry Potter. In that case, it is possible that it must have been an honest mistake.
Mistake or not, it is undeniable that the score fits perfectly in both scenes, despite the scenes being vastly different. This underscore just proves the musical might of John Williams, showcasing how a single melody of his can artfully portray and blend seamlessly in two entirely different scenarios.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets can be rented on Amazon Prime, while Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones can be streamed on Disney+.
Source: CBR
