Director: Steven Spielberg
Release Date: 1975
Running Time: 2hrs 4 minutes
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 12
Synopsis:
When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach resort, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.
Based on Peter Benchley's best-selling thriller of the same name. Director Steven Spielberg delivers one of the best thrillers of the late 1970's. Spielberg wasn't actually the first choice to direct the film. In fact, Spielberg hadn't long finished the thriller "Duel" when "Jaws" came into play. I think it's safe to say that he was a marvellous choice to direct the film as "Jaws" soon went onto become one of the best-selling thrillers of the past forty years. Adapting a novel into a film is always going to be challenging. Naturally, a lot of changes need to be made for screen. Although Spielberg chose to tame the storyline down somewhat, in order for it to have a "12" rating, it still works remarkably well and is equally as haunting as the novel.
Christie is out partying with friends one night when she takes a young man down to the beach for a midnight swim. Little does she know, upon entering the ocean that she is being watched by a monster, a great white! A fearsome creature that in a split second takes her life. Chief Brody (Scheider) is informed immediately of the attack, finding himself in very deep water when he learns the safest thing to do is going to be to close the beaches, on the weekend of July 4th. Chief of police on Amity Island, Brody resides with his wife Ellen (Gary) and two sons Michael and Sean. Sheiders performance is magnificent, a real family man, a man who is very new to Amity Island after moving from New York. Brody finds himself having to convince local Mayor Larry Vaughn that there is in fact a killer shark surrounding Amity Island in search of it's next meal.
Marine biologist Matt Hooper (Dreyfuss) is brought in to help kill the shark, much to the dismay of Amity Islands local Mayor Larry Vaughn. Dreyfuss really is fantastic, almost comical in his emotions and characteristics, Hooper is wonderfully enthusiastic and charismatic. Equipped with everything imaginable, spears, shark cages and sonars. The chemistry that is soon developed on screen between himself and fisherman Quint is superb. Both actors in reportedly didn't get along in reality, needless to say, it certainly shows on screen too. Tension between the two of them is very genuine. Quint is an extremely dominant individual. A well known fisherman on Amity Island, he desperately tries to convince Brody that he is the only man for the job. The three characters soon soon find a way to overcome their differences and work together in killing the shark. Showing off scars and tattoos in the process. The tension is so strong you can practically feel it oozing from the screen.
Beautifully shot in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Cinematographer Bill Butler has captured the scenery perfectly. A stunning looking film that has been brilliantly shot. The camera work is excellent. What's most impressive about Steven Spielberg's terrific camera work is that you don't see the shark until 45 minutes into the film. Spielberg heavily relies on the reactions from his actors to build up the suspense and fear without his audience even getting a glimpse of the shark. The attention to detail is excellent, from Quint's boat The Orca, to his harbour house full to the brim of shark teeth, fishing nets and creatures of the deepest darkest depths. Spectacular special-effects, a shark so convincing it's hard to believe it's not real, or in some cases it was due to accidental live footage. That of course, just adds to the magic of the film.
Composer John Williams wrote quite possibly one of the most famous theme tunes of all time. A theme that most will recognise. A score so beautiful it practically tells the story on its own. The score becomes fast and intense when the shark appears to create fear and suspense. Quieter and more soothing when the shark is in the deepest depths of the oceans. The score takes you on a journey from beginning to end. Absolutely thrilling! An absolute masterpiece, one not to be missed!
5/5
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