It was the summer of 1975, Don’t go in the water, the first big summer block buster and probably the best of all times. There were line ups at the theatre around the block to see this film, being only 7 yrs old, I however had to wait a few years before seeing this iconic film.
Jaws is and has always been on my top 10 movies to see, and I actually watch it every summer right around Canada Day, hahaa, not kidding, love this film, and even though I can practically quote from it I am always looking for things I may not have seen before.
There are so many reasons why I love this film but lets start with the location. The filming of Jaws (oh and for future I am referring to the first and only good one) it was filmed on the east coast on Marthas Vineyard, I have been there, its lovely. I am an East Coast girl and have been to Kennebunkport and Cape Cod. I guess I just prefer the beaches on the East Coast to the West having grown up in NB and have been to Maine many times.
So for me the location is one reason I like it, you can tell the difference in the water from East Coast and then you watch Jaws 2 and it was filmed on the West Coast.
This at the time was considered a low budget film. Spielberg banked his entire fortune and future on this film, if it had failed he may have been done, it however paid off in spades.
A few things they ran into, weather being one of them, it was not so hot and sunny as it may appear in the film, took over 150 days to film and was not even supposed to come out in the summer.
The line you are going to need a bigger boat was actually improvised and well there’s history for you.
Some of my favourite moments in the film have actually nothing to do with the shark and the influence that Hitchcock has on Spielberg in that scene just before little Alex Kintner takes his last float on the ocean is spectacular. I love the way that part was filmed from his angle, reminded me so much of Vertigo.
However another favourite scene is when Richard Dreyfuss’s character Matt Hooper stops by Brodys house at dinner to discuss next steps. The reason I like the scene, is this. There is no break in that scene for a couple minutes. We watch Hooper come in, sit down, the camera is at an angle that it is capturing all 3 characters as Brody opens the wine, pours it into a high ball glass while Hooper eats his dinner, its just brilliant filming.
Another favourite of mine is when Quint is giving us a history lesson on the Indianopolis, which is a true story.
Interesting facts about Shaw, had 10 kids yet died at 51, busy man, and a great actor.
Even though the movie does not resemble the book to its fullest, I feel the actual movie is better, yes this is my opinion and rarely do I say that a movie is better than the book, but in this case I do.
Summer is upon us and I encourage any and all to revisit this timeless classic movie, you won’t be sorry you did, just remember if you are afraid to go in the water afterwards, Do not blame me….haha.