When Jaws came on the scene in 1975 it was a cultural phenomenon that inspired a new word that would forever define the future of summer movie events: the Blockbuster. Based on a hugely successful book, Jaws was expected to do well, but it was not expected to motivate devoted fans across all demographics to see it again and again and again, causing the once troubled production to become one of the most lucrative films of all time (adjusted gross income ranks it at number 7).

Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb co-wrote the screenplay, Bill Butler (The Conversation) gorgeously crafted the cinematography and, most importantly a then relatively inexperienced Steven Spielberg directed (The Sugarland Express was his only other feature credit at the time). What could have become a cheaply made, B-movie monster film is instead a wonderfully subtle and beautifully depicted suspenseful thriller. Roy Scheider is at his absolute best playing a sheriff who defies all the odds to defend the community that he has sworn to protect and serve. His only assistance comes from a nerdy marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss in his breakout role) and a crazy old fisherman played eerily to perfection by Robert Shaw. The film is basically a Western in the water, only this time the villain has fins.

Interestingly enough, many of the defining moments of this film were forced into being by the continual delays caused by the malfunctioning mechanical shark. Left with the threat of shutting down production, Spielberg often had to think on his feet and create situations that would allow him to avoid filming with the malfunctioning shark. Perhaps the most memorable is when Shaw’s character Quint recounts to Brody and Hooper the story of the ill-fated crew members of the USS Indianapolis who were set adrift and besieged by sharks. It is a seminal moment in the film as the Old Sea Salt tells the tale of the most horrifying experience in his life, and all though we see nothing but his ghostly face and the pale expressions of the men he is speaking to the effect is absolutely bone chilling. It is a moment created out of sheer performance, a moment that stands as a reminder that for all his special effects and fancy filmmaking, Steven Spielberg is a very talented director capable of drawing out the best an actor has to offer. I am reminded of this fact and appreciate Jaws even more every time I see it.         

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