No. 1 - Jaws (1975)

The terrifying motion picture from the terrifying No.1 best seller.

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance-age 13) for violence, gore and scary scenes

Director: Steven Spielberg; Screenplay: Carl Gottlieb; based on the novel by Peter Benchley

Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, Lee Fierro

Movie Introduction: When a young woman is killed during a night swim near the New England town of Amity, police chief Brody (Scheider) wants to close the beaches. Mayor Vaughn (Hamilton) overrules him, fearing that the loss of tourist revenue will cripple the town. After another attack, this time a young boy, the city council is forced to hire grizzled fisherman Quint (Shaw) to hunt down and kill the beast. Chief Brody reluctantly volunteers to go along, as does eager young marine biologist Matt Hooper (Dreyfuss). This begins the epic sea battle between three very different men and the worst nature has to offer in the form of a killer great white shark.

Defining Moment: the U.S.S. Indianapolis

After a hard day on the Orca filled with bickering, Quint, Hooper and Brody retire below for a few drinks. As the rum flows, they begin telling stories of scars and past loves.  Finally, the three men are beginning to bond.  When Brody asks Quint about a tattoo on his arm, Quint drops his smile, goes silent, then retells the story of his survival after the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis during World War II. The ship had delivered parts used to construct the first atomic bomb. On her way back to the Philippines, the ship was torpedoed and sunk. 890 men went into the water. Due to the mission's secrecy, they had to endure horrible conditions, floating in only life jackets, for over four days. Sharks took a terrible toll on the men.

Quint's chilling account drives home the real danger sharks pose on people stranded on the open sea.  (Click HERE for the full scene on YouTube)

Something subtle you might have missed:  shark theme

Composer John Williams' Oscar-winning musical score contains the iconic "shark theme", which is a simple alternating pattern of two notes, "E and F" or "F and F sharp". On screen, it signals approaching danger. Per Williams, "it grinds away at you, just as a shark would do, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable." As you view the film, notice the presence, or absence, of the shark theme, and what happens immediately afterwards. 

Memorable Quotes:

"This shark, swallow you whole. No shakin', no tenderizin', down you go. And we gotta do it quick, that'll bring back the tourists, put all your businesses on a payin' basis. But it's not gonna be pleasant. I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, Chief. I'll find him for three, but I'll catch him, and kill him, for ten." – Quint

"Well, this is not a boating accident! It wasn't any propeller, it wasn't any coral reef, and it wasn't Jack the Ripper! It was a shark." – Matt Hooper after examining the remains of Chrissie Watkins

Dad's Review:

In 1975, the movie, Jaws was released nationwide. I was thirteen. Mom agreed be take me and serve as my "parental guidance". That was probably a good thing because this film, literally scared the crap out of me. 

Terrified as I was, I wanted more, seeing Jaws as many times as possible that summer, fall and winter. Check out my essay, "my love affair with a shark", for an idea of it's impact on me.

The film is divided into three main parts. First the terror begins. Next the lone police chief works frantically to convince people to listen to him and take action. Finally, three men set out to sea, intent on finding and destroying the sea creature.

This film is at times terrifying, tender, and heroic. Every scene is near perfect. What's more amazing is that this effort was Steven Spielberg's major film debut. Talk about starting off with a bang! 

The making of Jaws was a nightmare, as are most films shot on the ocean. Constant delays, electrical problems, the mechanical shark's issues, cast personality clashes - all were common on any day while shooting.

The most costly problem was the mechanical shark, nicknamed "Bruce". It was always on the fritz. All eyes were on the young director to do something. He had cast and crew all sitting around, running up the film's expenses. So a few script changes were made and they began filming scenes with the "menace" off-screen. This simple necessity, created in a sea of chaos, contributed to the film's success. Spielberg was forced to manufacture tension, and create fear of something hidden, just off camera. Psychologically, this is much scarier - the audience is always more afraid what they cannot see.  The great Alfred Hitchcock used this technique quite a bit in his TV shows and films. 

The final product is one of the greatest film of all time. At least that is the opinion of one movie-reviewing Dad.

Humbly, I submit that this film is PERFECT. To be that good, a lot had to align: a great original story, an engaging screenplay, a hungry young director, an incredible cast. The icing on the cake is the unforgettable soundtrack from the great John Williams.

The result is movie magic.   

Jaws is the film credited as being the original "Summer Blockbuster".  It stayed in theaters for over a year - A YEAR! - something unheard of today. It was a cinematic event. For two years it was the highest grossing film of all time. Then Star Wars hit theaters and bumped our shark down the list.

Finally, thanks to Jaws, a lot of people, myself included, still shiver when we go into the ocean. I am constantly scanning the waves, looking for shadows, a fin, praying it's not gonna be my unlucky moment... when I feel the impact, the pressure, the crunching bite of...

JAWS!

NOTE: Don’t waste any time on the sequels – sadly, they pale by comparison, eventually becoming laughable.

Onto No. 2... Ballets With Apex Predators