Jaws (1975)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Premise: A great white shark stalks the beaches of a New England resort town. After repeated attacks, the local police chief (Roy Scheider), a marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss), and a fisherman (Robert Shaw) must hunt the animal and destroy it.
What Works: In the five decades since Jaws debuted in theaters it has achieved a rare level of adoration and acclaim, becoming something bigger than the movie itself. It has been endlessly examined and critiqued by cinema fans and film scholars. Jaws is one of the central titles in the career of Steven Spielberg and in fact Jaws was the movie that made his career. The poster art is one of the most recognizable paintings of the twentieth century, lines of dialogue such as “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” are part of the popular lexicon, and the music is familiar to people who have never even seen the movie. But setting aside its cultural imprint, Jaws is an extraordinarily well-made movie. The shark itself exists as a cinematic illusion. John Williams’ music for Jaws is among the most iconic scores in cinema history and the theme along with subjective camera angles, and judicious use of a mechanical shark and some real shark footage create a convincing impression of the animal. This is exemplified by the second shark attack. It’s a sequence worth studying by anyone interested in how cinema works. The filmmakers choose specific angles, assemble the shots with purposeful use of wipes and cuts, and place music effectively. This all builds tension but it also constructs a point of view. The scene is ostensibly about a shark attack but it’s really about the paranoia of the police chief and his duty to the citizens. That combination of craftsmanship and regard for character distinguishes Jaws from so many imitators. Jaws is about a shark but it’s also about a man trying to protect his community while the economic and political leaders of that community undermine his efforts. The emphasis on human drama is another of Jaws’ outstanding qualities. Roy Scheider stars as police chief Martin Brody, and in many ways Brody is the essential modern hero. He is caught between his duties to public safety and the community’s economic needs. The tension between those forces causes him considerable guilt which motivates his character. Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw play a rich scientist and a blue-collar fisherman, respectively, and the tension between them adds to the stress of the hunt. Shaw in particular is a force on screen and his monologue about the USS Indianapolis is a classic cinematic speech. The supporting cast of Jaws includes Murray Hamilton as the mayor and Lorraine Gary as Brody’s wife as well as a lot of local actors in small roles, most notably Lee Fierro as Mrs. Kitner. Their performances give the movie a credible sense of place and a recognizable humanity. In that respect, Jaws is a fascinating part of the New Hollywood movement, a period of American filmmaking that was distinguished by its cynicism and boundary pushing but also its humanist stories. Jaws is a compromise between New Hollywood filmmaking and classic Hollywood entertainment and that conciliation showcases the best of both. It’s a mix of horror and adventure that is a masterclass in tension distinguished by the humanity and intelligence with which the filmmakers approach the material.
What Doesn’t: Jaws is rated PG, a rating that was consistent with the filmmaking of the 1970s, but today’s viewers may be surprised by the film’s savagery, violence, and gore. This PG rated movie does things that would probably earn an R certificate today. Parents should consider themselves warned. Like many Steven Spielberg films, the climax of Jaws prioritizes spectacle over logic. The ending strains credulity (as do the endings of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park). But it is an emotionally satisfying climax. It feels right, which makes the conclusion appropriate for this movie.
Disc extras: The 4K Blu-Ray edition includes documentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, outtakes, image galleries, and a trailer.
Bottom Line: Jaws is popcorn entertainment raised to the level of art. It’s a simple story imbued with complex characters and carried out with tremendous craftsmanship. Every element comes together and Jaws remains one of Steven Spielberg’s best films.
Episode: #210 (October 26, 2008); Revised #1054 (June 29, 2025)