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Jaws – Anniversary
Ok…here goes with Jaws. There are movies in life that can impact us in many ways, both positive and negative of course – as individuals, as a culture, as groups – we all know but in my opinion there is only one film to this day that has had the overall type of impact it did on society when released and that is the movie ‘Jaws.’ When I say this I mean that even to this day people still talk about the impact it has had on them as far as going in the ocean. Just a couple of weeks ago while I was on vacation at the beach, I met a family who was talking about their kids and how they had watched ‘Jaws’ and had been watching Shark Week and they did not want to go in the ocean! Lol! And I am with them! When I go, I am always watching around me and thinking in my head, ‘Please don’t let there be a shark, please don’t let there be a shark!’ Ha! This film changed everyone’s perception about going to the beach and swimming in the ocean. The scientists were not happy about it – having ready many stories and watching shows on the topic – because they believe ‘Jaws’ gave sharks a bad name. Basically the scientists consider them to be miracles as far as animals and want people to realize we are swimming in the sharks’ domain, not ours.
With all that being said, I love ‘Jaws’ for the following reasons. One, I read the book, which was very good, and think the movie was pretty faithful to it with the exception of a key part regarding Chief Brody’s wife and Matt Hooper – we won’t go there as it is inconceivable! Also, I loved the drama and – at the time – realistic horror scenes. That opening scene of the woman getting ‘shaken’ back and forth in the water is one of the most horrific scenes ever. When she gets to the buoy you hope she is going to be ok and then when she is ‘pulled’ under you know it is over for her. The body parts discovered was pretty gross at the time although you can tell today it is not real. The scene with the boy on the float – horrible – because things like that have happened and when the mother confronts Brody on the dock is just gut wrenching. Another key scene is when Quint recounts the horror of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the sharks feeding on the men. I have since read that some liberties were taken with the facts but not too far off. And besides, it does not matter as that was an amazing scene- you could hear a pin drop when he is telling that story. (I read that Richard Dreyfuss was blown away by Robert Shaw’s performance during that scene.) The irony of him telling that story – having survived – and then still ends up getting killed by a shark.
The other reason I love Jaws is because it was the first summer blockbuster to be released. This was the first film to gross over 100 million dollars! This film came out in 1975 and I never will forget riding by movie theaters and seeing people lined up for what seemed like blocks to get in to see it. The movie was talked about for months! I never will forget how nervous I was when I finally got to see it – my mom and dad had to see it first to approve – and being 12 at the time, it was a big deal to see such a film. Also, what about that brilliant music by John Williams! Who does not know that scary sound as the shark is on the hunt in the water?
‘Jaws’ is a classic many times over and definitely made a lasting impression on me and many others.
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1 Reply
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I won’t say Jaws is one of my top ten favorite films, but it’s a fun watch and shows how impressive practical effects can be.
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