Why Jaws is a Perfect Summer Movie
As soon as you read the title I bet many of you heard the dun dun dun dun music in your head. I first saw Jaws in the theater as a kid and it scared the heck out of me. For years after that viewing, I swore a great white shark would get me no matter if I was swimming in Lake Erie a pond or a pool! Despite that fear, I always enjoyed watching the movie when it was played countless times on HBO. Now as an adult, I watch Jaws at least a few times a year. Deep down I think we all enjoy a little scare as it keeps life a little exciting.
So get your chumming gloves on and let’s see why Jaws is a Jay’s Faves…
The Book
Let’s start at the beginning. You have to have good source material, if you’re going to make a good movie. Jaws couldn’t have come from anywhere better. In 1974 Peter Benchley’s book “Jaws” was published and it was a resounding hit!
The book remained on the New York Times Bestseller list for an impressive 44 weeks. By the time the movie came out a year later in 1975 the book had sold 5.5 million copies domestically. When its run was done, it had sold 9 million copies domestically and is estimated to have sold 20 million copies worldwide.
The book has some big differences from the movie – like how the shark is dealt with, an extramarital affair and the mayor’s mafia ties – that definitely making it worth checking out.
The Movie
The book was such a hit that the movie came out just a little over a year after the book’s publication date. Jaws opened on June 20, 1975 and the Summer movies were changed forever! From the very first opening moments of the skinny-dipper being attacked, audiences knew they were in for a thrill ride!
Director Steven Spielberg, in his first blockbuster major motion picture, put together one of the best paced movies of all time that included chills, thrills and some humor as well to break up the tension a little.
Now don’t let the fact that this is a horror-thriller film make you think that it is not well acted. Everyone here is bringing their A-game. From the seedy mayor, played by Murray Hamilton, to Ellen Brody, played by Lorraine Gary, the acting is solid.
And of course our three main characters Martin Brody, played by Roy Scheider, Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss, and the out of control Quint, played by Robert Shaw, could not have been cast better. These three actors play so well off of each other, that not for a moment do you not believe that they are in for a fight for their lives with a giant great white shark.
In what might be one of the best movie monologues ever, Robert Shaw’s Quint provides a spinetingling rendition of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and how the survivors were prayed upon by sharks (the sinking of the Indianapolis is a true story and you can read all about it in Doug Stanton’s “In Harm’s Way“).
There’s been some documentaries made about the making of the movie and the challenges the filmmakers had – like the mechanical shark constantly breaking down and the shooting schedule overrunning by about a hundred days – that are also fun to watch.
Cultural Impact
Despite its troubled filming, Jaws was an enormous hit in the theaters. Waaaay back before the days where you could go online and pick your seat, you had to actually get to the theater early to get your ticket. If you were late, the show might be sold out, or you’d be stuck in the front row if you got in. With Jaws, for the first time, multiple theaters had people lining up around the comer to get their tickets. It was the first movie to make over a $100 million at the box office and was the first to be known as a “Summer Blockbuster.”
And how about the movies lines that most of us have endlessly repeated…”This is not a boat accident!” “What we are dealing with here is a perfect engine, an eating machine.” And of course the ever popular, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” These and many other phrases from the movie have been used endlessly.
Now to the music, which in a word is epic! The John Williams score is perfect in its simplicity. Building in tempo and volume until the shark takes its latest victim, we are on the edge of our seats as the music helps the tension to grow. For a whole generation, we sang “dun dun dun” when ever a shark reference was needed.
Let’s not forget the merchandise. Oh, the merchandise! From t-shirts to cups, Jaws has appeared on just about everything marketable. Action figures, posters, dishware and underwear have all been part of the Jaws marketing machine over the years. And it’s still going strong almost 50 years later! In fact, in August 2024 Lego is releasing an awesome diorama based on the movie that I for one will be getting (for the kids, I swear).
Finally, Jaws is the movie that all other shark movies are compared to. Ever since it’s release in 1975, whenever a new shark movie comes out, both the critics and all of us, cannot help but mention Jaws in comparison. And usually we are saying, “it’s no Jaws…”
Final Thoughts
Jaws is a classic Summertime movie and many folks like to watch it right around the 4th of July. I just took the family to a retro Drive-In viewing and it was a prefect night to watch one of my favorite movies.
Whether it’s for the first time, or perhaps your 100th time, give Jaws a viewing this Summer. Although if watch the movie right before you go swimming, I guarantee you’ll be hearing the dun dun dun in your head as you swim about!
So until next time, “farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and Adieu to you ladies of Spain.”
More Of Jay’s Faves
Check out the below, if interested in more of Jay’s Faves.
- 20 + Best Scuba Movies
- The Drive-In
- Stahlsac Curacao Clipper Dive Gear Travel Bag
- Henderson Talon Wetsuit
“How boring would the world be if everywhere and everyone were the same. Safe travels and good adventures.” Scuba Jay
