Happy 37th anniversary today to one of the great films of all time, Jaws! The great white shark of a film reshaped the cinema circuit when released, and it is generally considered the first summer blockbuster film ever made when it first was exhibited in theaters back on June 20, 1975.

Jaws, one of the earliest works by director Steven Spielberg, was a production that seemed as unlikely to become no more than a B-picture when put into production, as there were many doubts plaguing it: the choice of Spielberg as a director, budget and schedule overruns, the way shots weren’t working out, logistics and weather terrorizing the production. But most of all, there was the out and out physical fakeness of the shark itself, a large, almost dilapidated life-size mechanized great white, which looked more like an oversized stuffed piñata and evoked giggles when dailies were screened after each shooting day rather than succeeding as Richard Dreyfuss’ character, the ichthyologist Matt Hooper so succinctly puts it in the film, “an eating machine.”

Somehow, the chemistry and the film eventually clicked on all cylinders and Jaws became one of cinema’s benchmark and landmark productions. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley (who appears in the film as a reporter and also had a hand in the screenplay), Jaws has a very simple narrative. A shark terrorizes the inhabitants of the fictional Amity Island, near Long Island, New York. The New York City transplanted Chief of Police Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) finds himself biting off more than he can chew (no pun intended) when he’s forced to deal with this situation as bodies begin to mount up. Ultilizing the help of said Hooper and the local salty dog veteran fisherman of the ocean, who makes his stock and trade catching large sea predators, one Quint (Robert Shaw), the three men go to find and attempt to kill the shark, which comprises the second half of the movie and plays out almost like a terrific short film in itself.

Jaws is heightened by the cinematic cocktail of humor, terrifying suspense, hold on to your seat editing (by Oscar winner Verna Fields), and of course the legendary music, the ominous dark and unsettling chords played by a John Williams-conducted orchestra. The music has become a part of film folklore to this day. Certain lines from the film, especially “You’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat,” are as constantly spoken by fans of the movie and are as lauded as some of the most memorable film quotes of all time, on par with The Godfather‘s “I’m Gonna Make Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse,” Taxi Driver‘s “You Talking To Me?,” and Casablanca‘s never really spoken, but still associated with the film, “Play it Again Sam,” among others.

The film has a highly anticipated Blu-Ray release coming on August 14th which should bring the fanfare of this film back into the forefront, although it never really left the cinematic consciousness in a way. Jaws is one of those rare films that gets better with each viewing, a film that becomes an event for people, a big deal in the minds and souls of cinephiles everywhere. The palpable excitement one feels when they know they are about to watch it for the first time or the hundredth time, Jaws is simply that kind of film. It stands as one of those special productions that only comes along once in awhile, and when it does, it makes one glad, proud, and excited to be a film fan indeed.

Trailer

Amazon.com Widgets