JAWS

  JAWS (1975) is a thriller set in the quiet New England vacation community of Amity. Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) and his family have recently moved to the island and are preparing for their first summer when a series of shark attacks begin to plague the local waters. Hysteria breaks out as the attacks continue and terror spreads. Brody, with the help of marine researcher Hooper (Richard Dreyfus) and veteran fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw), works to kill the shark and return peace to his new home.

  Steven Spielberg's JAWS is a film that leaves the audience on the edge of their seats during it's entire 124 minute runtime; thanks to it's cinematography, editing, score, and innovative nature. Cinematography guided under director of photography Bill Butler is used effectively throughout the film. Shots such as the underwater POVs put the audience in the perspective of the shark and more creative shots such as the "Vertigo zoom" are implemented to create the sense of realization Brody has when a boy is attacked early on in the film. Clean cuts and sound editing make the transitions from below water to above flawless and mask the problems that the crew suffered with the animatronic shark they used on set. One of the hallmarks of the film is it's brilliant original score, composed by John Williams, which hints to the audience when the shark is approaching and is used to build the tension to an even higher peak. Through score and keen editing the audience is able to imagine a shark that is more fearsome than any physical prop could be. Incredible performances by the cast along with decisions to hold shots such as the monologue delivered by Robert Shaw about the USS Indianapolis give this movie the base it needs to become a masterpiece in the hands of amateur director for the time Steven Spielberg.

  Spielberg succeeds in his ability to take a B-movie plot and shape it into the tense blockbuster that literally made people afraid to go into the ocean. JAWS elevated Spielberg from an unknown to the position he holds today as Hollywood's most acclaimed director, and the title is rightfully his.