The summer of 1975 may have been a hot one if you lived through it. Temperature-wise, it may have been your typical summer, but with the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, people may have been hesitant to take a dip in the water. The blockbuster classic had people terrified of what might be lurking beneath the surface of the deep, murky ocean waters.
The movie was released on June 20th, 1975, marking 50 years since the great white shark’s first appearance. Jaws was the first of its kind and sparked the cultural trend of sci-fi shark movies. Let’s just say today, “We may need a bigger boat!”
Jaws: A Pop Culture Phenomenon
Shhh… Do you hear that? That iconic theme song that seems to be getting slightly louder and louder as time goes on. Then you hear someone screaming, “GET OUT OF THE WATER!” A great white shark’s fin appears close as everyone books it to shore. Steven Spielberg’s take on the mysteries and monsters of the ocean was absolutely brilliant. Jaws spoke to some people’s deepest and darkest fears. The fear of the unknown beneath the surface of the water can be scary to anyone.
Spielberg’s vision for the movie was way ahead of its time. He used the “less is more” technique, allowing viewers to use their imagination as the suspenseful buildup unfolded, revealing the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean’s most feared predator.
Rewatching the movie, the great white doesn’t appear often throughout the film, creating a more impactful effect when he is actually seen. Horror movies like Halloween would adopt this technique, showing the antagonist, Michael Myers, minimally in the original movie. This forces the audience to use their imagination and create their own anxieties about what could happen next.
The movie that was the inaugural “summer blockbuster” absolutely killed it at the box office. Knowing Spielberg’s work now, it’s no surprise! Jaws grossed over $470 million worldwide, becoming the first movie in history to surpass $100 million. It only held the record for two short years until a little film from a galaxy far, far away called Star Wars took over the universe. Jaws won three Academy Awards in 1975, including Best Film Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Sound.
The Plot of Jaws
Dangerous shark sightings begin in the tourist town of Amity Island off the coast of Long Island, New York. Of course, this is happening during the busiest time of the year for the town. The beautiful beaches offer a great getaway for tourists and family vacations. Police Chief Martin Brody and marine biologist Matt Hooper try to warn the mayor about the existence of a great white shark. Mayor Larry Vaughn refuses to take their warnings seriously as dollar signs from tourists light up his eyes.
Despite the warnings, the show must go on, resulting in the shark terrorizing anyone and everyone who steps foot in the water. Brody, Hooper, and a local shark hunter, Quint, must hunt down the shark before it’s too late. Will the festivities of the town go to waste or does the trio save the day for the mayor and guests?
Final Thoughts
The physiological thriller that is Jaws was the first of its kind, and most people still consider it the best. It opened the door for movies like Deep Blue Sea, The Meg, and others. The suspense of not knowing when and where the shark will strike had viewers creating scenarios in their minds.
Whether it’s the iconic theme song or the movie’s cultural impact, it’s immeasurable. Thanks to Jaws, we can now enjoy sci-fi shark movies on a regular basis, such as Trailer Park Shark Attack, Five-Headed Shark Attack, and the iconic Virus Shark. So, before you decide to cool off in the water, be careful of what may lurk only a few feet away!
