The Head, The Tail, The Whole Damn Thing…

“Jaws” (1975) — movie review
Today’s review is for the landmark thriller “Jaws” (1975), directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Roy Scheider as Chief Martin Brody (the water-fearing police chief forced to confront both a killer shark and his own fears);  Robert Shaw as Quint (the grizzled, monomaniacal shark hunter whose bravado masks old scars);  Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper (the energetic, privileged oceanographer whose scientific expertise collides with small-town politics);  Lorraine Gary as Ellen Brody (the emotional anchor of the Brody household);  and Murray Hamilton as Mayor Larry Vaughn (the embodiment of civic denial in the face of danger).  The film blends character drama, suspense, and primal fear into a cinematic experience that reshaped Hollywood itself.
Background:  Between the theater (original and re-release), TV, VHS, DVD and streaming, I have seen this film well over a dozen times.  LoL.  I may not know every line word for word, but I’m pretty close…  Released in the summer of 1975, “Jaws” became a cultural phenomenon and is widely credited with creating the modern summer blockbuster.  Adapted from Peter Benchley’s novel, the film faced notorious production challenges — mechanical shark failures, weather delays, and a young director pushing the limits of what was possible.  Despite these hurdles, “Jaws” became the highest-grossing film of all time until “Star Wars” arrived two years later.  It won three Academy Awards:  Best Film Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score (John Williams), and Best Sound.  Historically, “Jaws” stands as a watershed moment in American cinema — a film that redefined suspense, marketing, and the economics of wide release.
Plot:  Amity Island, a quiet New England beach town, is shaken when a young swimmer is killed by a great white shark.  Chief Brody wants to close the beaches, but political pressure keeps them open.  As attacks continue, Brody teams up with oceanographer Matt Hooper and shark hunter Quint to track and kill the predator.  The second half of the film shifts to the open sea aboard the Quint’s fishing boat (the “Orca”), where the three men confront the shark — and each other — in a battle of wills, wits, and survival.  The story culminates in a desperate final confrontation, blending terror, ingenuity, and sacrifice.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  excellent;  iconic and groundbreaking;  a few;  absolutely!
Any good?  Yes.  “Jaws” is a true / historic masterclass in suspense and character-driven storytelling.  It balances terror with humor, spectacle with restraint, and mythic fear with grounded human drama.  The film’s pacing, tension, and thematic depth — fear of the unknown, civic responsibility, masculine rivalry — elevate it far beyond creature-feature territory.
Acting:  Scheider anchors the film with understated strength, portraying Brody as an every man caught between duty and dread.  Dreyfuss brings energy and intelligence to Hooper, creating a memorable contrast with Shaw’s Quint.  Shaw’s performance is legendary — theatrical, intimidating, and unexpectedly vulnerable.  His USS Indianapolis monologue remains one of the most haunting scenes in cinema.  The supporting cast, including Lorraine Gary and Murray Hamilton, adds texture and realism to the town’s political and emotional landscape.
Filming / FX:  Spielberg’s direction is both inventive and disciplined.  The mechanical shark’s unreliability forced him to rely on suggestion rather than revelation — a creative limitation that became the film’s greatest strength.  John Williams’ score is iconic, transforming two alternating notes into a cultural shorthand for impending danger.  The cinematography captures both the idyllic charm of Amity Island and the vast, isolating menace of the open sea.  The editing, which won an Oscar, is razor-sharp, building tension through rhythm, silence, and sudden violence.  While some mechanical effects show their age, the film’s overall craftsmanship remains remarkably effective.
Problems:  A few.  The parents of the child who dies in the day-light beach attack are FAR to old to have had the child.  If they claimed to be the grand-parents, I’d have believed it more.  Some of the shark shots, particularly in the final act, reveal the limitations of 1970s practical effects.  The pacing in the first half may feel slow to modern viewers accustomed to rapid-fire editing, but after the historic opening beach / swim scene, the slow buildup is what creates the building tension / fear.  Still, these minor issues are overshadowed by the film’s enduring power and influence.
Did I enjoy the film?  Absolutely.  “Jaws” remains gripping, atmospheric, and surprisingly character-rich.  Its blend of suspense, humor, and human drama makes it endlessly re-watchable.  The film’s ability to evoke primal fear — of deep water, of unseen threats — is as potent today as it was in 1975.
Final Recommendation:  Very highly recommended to MUST see.  “Jaws” is a foundational work of modern cinema — a film that won three Academy Awards, launched Steven Spielberg’s career, and redefined the blockbuster era.  Its suspense, performances, and iconic score make it essential viewing for anyone interested in film history or simply in a masterfully crafted thriller.  Watch it to remember that sometimes what you don’t see is far more terrifying than what you do.
Final Note:  “Jaws” had a number of sequels.  I have seen a couple back in the day and they are (were) uniformly terrible.  I won’t be buying them or spending time re-watching or reviewing any of them…  Apologies if I’m disappointing anyone.  LoL  And, yes – I am still terrified of sharks!
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Click here (23 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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