Jaws Review (Updated)

Jaws

Release Date: 27th November 1975 - Australia

Production Companies

Zanuck/Brown Productions

Universal Pictures

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 120 minutes

Budget: $9,000,000

Box Office Gross: $477,220,580 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

A great white shark has appeared in the ocean of the seaside town of Amity Island and is terrorising the entire community with its surprise attacks during the height of its beach season. Only the

town's police chief, a marine

biologist and an old shark

hunter will hunt down the

creature before it strikes

again.

Cast

Roy Scheider - Chief Martin Brody

Richard Dreyfuss - Matt Hooper

Robert Shaw - Sam Quint

Lorraine Gary - Ellen Brody

Murray Hamilton - Mayor Larry Vaughn

Carl Gottlieb - Meadows

Jeffrey Kramer - Hendricks

Susan Backlinie - Christine

"Chrissie" Watkins

Jonathan Filley - Cassidy

Ted Grossman - Estuary Victim

Chris Rebello - Michael Brody

Jay Mello - Sean Brody

Lee Fierro - Mrs. Kitner

Jeffrey Voorhees - Alex Kitner

Craig Kingsbury - Ben Gardner

Robert Nevin - Medical Examiner

Peter Benchley - Interviewer (Cameo)

Chris Anastasio - Out of Towner (Uncredited)

Henry Carreiro - Felix (Uncredited)

Fritzi Jane Courtney - Mrs. Taft (Uncredited)

Cyprian R. Dube - Mr. Posner (Uncredited)

Dorothy Fielding - Girl in Music Store (Uncredited)

Belle McDonald - Mrs. Posner (Uncredited)

Jonathan Searle - Boy Swimmer with Cardboard Fin

Steven Searle - Boy Swimmer with Cardboard Fin

Harry Shearer - Beachgoer (Uncredited)

Steven Spielberg - Amity Point Lifestation

Worker (Voice) (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Alfred Wilde - Henry Wiseman (Uncredited)

Crew

Director - Steven Spielberg

Based on the Novel/Screenplay - Peter Benchley

Screenplay - Carl Gottlieb

Producers - David Brown and Richard D. Zanuck

Production Executive - William S. Gilmore

Technical Advisor - Fred Zendar

Production Designer/Second Unit Director
(Uncredited) - Joe Alves

Set Decorator - John M. Dwyer

Director of Photography - Bill Butler

Underwater Photography - Rexford L. Metz

Camera Operator - Michael Chapman

Camera Operators: Live Shark Footage -

Ron & Valerie Taylor

Unit Production Manager - James Fargo

First Assistant Director - Tom Joyner

Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Film Editor -

Verna Fields

Stunt Coordinator - Ted Grossman (Uncredited)

Special Effects - Robert A. Mattey

Special Mechanical Effects - Roy Arbogast

(Uncredited)

Sound - John R. Carter, Robert L. Hoyt,

Thomas E. Allen (Uncredited), Roger Hernan Jr.

(Uncredited) and Earl Madery (Uncredited)

Music - John Williams


Awards

1976 Academy Awards
Best Sound Effects - Robert L. Hoyt,

Roger Heman Jr, Earl Madery and John R. Carter (Won)

Best Film Editing - Verna Fields (Won)
Best Original Score - John Williams (Won)
------------------------
Best Picture - Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown

(Nominated)

Review
The story takes place during the Amity Island Regatta. JAWS is action-packed and frightening for a feature from the 1970s with lots of blood and guts. It is the granddaddy of all shark movies. That's why many people are terrified of going into the water because of this film. It dives into a gripping exploration of themes central to its plot, such as fear, survival, and the conflict between human ambition and nature.

This film was truly innovative at its time, with its suspenseful storytelling, a terrific cast of Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss, who all gave marvellous performances with depth and chemistry, practical effects, and fantastic direction by the relatively unknown Steven Spielberg. However, it was Spielberg's ultimate career-defining move as he went on to do many big hits in Hollywood.

Also, the movie was the first summer blockbuster in history, setting a new standard for the film industry and inspiring other major box office hits, such as Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Dark Knight, and more. Oh, did I forget to mention the chilling music score by John Williams? This unmistakable two-note tune leaves your ears ringing and is the best factor of JAWS (a part I loved).

JAWS is one of my favourite Spielberg movies, and I enjoyed it. It's for anyone who wants to see an excellent classic ocean thriller like JAWS. It launched three sequels, Jaws 2, 3, and the infamous Jaws: The Revenge. Yet none are scarier than the original, nor had Spielberg, who was by no means involved in making any of these films. WARNING! Due to the intense scenes, this film is unsuitable for young children.

Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever

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