Written by Hollowman - February 18th, 2005
Jaws (1975)
Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton
Director: Steven Spielberg
Rated: PG
Rating: * * * *
Discuss this movie in our Forums!
In 1975, a somewhat known director made a movie that would change the cinema and box office forever. The director was Steven Spielberg and the film was “Jaws”. Made when every other young director of the 70’s (Scorsese, Coppola, de Palma etc.) was trying to become either the next Orson Welles or Alfred Hitchcock, “Jaws” nor Spielberg were ever expected to so affectedly change gears of the direction that movies were going in. During this time, monster movies were helmed by B rated movie makers, such as the famed Roger Corman, and no one could take them seriously, so logically, it was truly unexpected when “Jaws” made such a big splash in the water.
Released during the summer, which back then was a time for the industry to crank out its lesser, non-money making films, “Jaws” and Spielberg became an instant hit, setting the bar for a more sophisticated and popular monster film genre. We all know the story. During the opening weeks of summer at a beach town on the east coast, a great white shark stalks and eats the recreational swimmers. The town’s chief of police, Brody (who came from New York City to escape the crime and violence, and is also afraid of the water) has to fight with the local politicians to close the beach. He gets the help of Hooper, a rich college graduate who describes the technical, natural instincts of the shark. Later, the two are joined by Quint, the film’s own Captain Ahab, who helps to hunt and kill it.
There are three specific elements of “Jaws” that makes it one of the greatest films. These three have set the stage for the formula that many other directors have used in monster films (not arguing if they’re successful or not). The first is the haunting music from John Williams. One of the more subtle scores of his career, it’s also his scariest. The duhn duhn, duhhhn duhn is so correlated with the horrific unknown. When watching the movie and as we hear the low string sound, we know that something terrible and frightening is coming. The chilling thought of that is brilliantly defined by William’s score.
The second element is the unique commradory on the Orca ship between Chief Brody (Roy Scheider), Quint (Robert Shaw), and Hooper (Richard Dreyfus). There’s a scene that captures this beautifully and becomes one of the best male bonding sequences ever. The three discuss old scars they’ve collected over the years and share their stories. The best is Quint’s description of being part of USS Indianapolis, which sank forcing its crew into the ocean. His monologue is one of the most terrifying parts of the film, as he retells the account of watching two thirds of his crew being eaten away by tiger sharks while being stranded for over a week.
Finally, the shark itself is the third element of “Jaws”. Actually, it’s the lack of the shark. When Spielberg signed on to direct the movie, he did it based on the consent that he would be allowed to not show the creature until half way through the film. It was a genius move and helped to make “Jaws” one of the scariest monster/adventure films of all time. Hearing Hooper describe the shark to Brody gives it its character and hearing Quint give his input gives it its horror.
These combined three elements of “Jaws” made it a great story. It’s subtle horror made it frightening beyond belief. No other film has made people so afraid of something for so long*. “Jaws” changed the way monster movies were made and perceived. Spielberg gave the B rated films a face lift and delivered successful, popcorn monster horror. “Jaws” was so affective on frightening people that they became very afraid to go swimming. Sharks, for a while, became one of the most popular things to fear.
Discuss this movie in our Forums!
[ Back to Movie Reviews ]
[ Back to Front Page ]