JAWS (1975)
JAWS (1975)
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Jaws (1975) – My Favourite Film of All Time
Jaws (1975) – My Favourite Film of All Time
A Special Review by MrSuperphil
A Special Review by MrSuperphil
There are certain films that entertain us, some that scare us, and some that stay with us forever. Every film fan has one movie they return to time and time again, and for me that film is Jaws.
I've lost count of how many times I've watched Steven Spielberg's 1975 masterpiece. Alongside The Empire Strikes Back, it's probably the film I've seen more than any other. Despite knowing every scene, every line of dialogue and every note of John Williams' unforgettable score, I still find myself completely absorbed every time I watch it.
For me, Jaws isn't just my favourite thriller. It's my favourite film of all time.
The Film That Changed Hollywood
The Film That Changed Hollywood
Released in the summer of 1975, Jaws was based on Peter Benchley's bestselling 1974 novel and adapted for the screen by Benchley and Carl Gottlieb.
At the time, nobody could have predicted the impact it would have.
Produced on a budget of around $9 million, the film went on to earn over $470 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film ever made until Star Wars arrived two years later.
More importantly, it created something cinema had never really seen before—the modern summer blockbuster.
Nearly every major event movie released today owes something to Jaws.
A Simple Story Told Perfectly
A Simple Story Told Perfectly
The story couldn't be simpler.
A quiet seaside community is terrorised by a giant great white shark during the height of the tourist season. Police Chief Martin Brody wants to close the beaches before more people are killed, but the town's mayor refuses, fearing the financial consequences.
Eventually Brody joins marine biologist Matt Hooper and professional shark hunter Quint aboard the Orca in one of cinema's greatest adventures.
It's a straightforward premise, but Spielberg tells it with such confidence that it never becomes predictable.
Spielberg's Greatest Strength – Suspense
Spielberg's Greatest Strength – Suspense
Many people think Jaws is a horror film.
I actually think it's something even better.
It's one of the greatest suspense films ever made.
Steven Spielberg often gets compared with Alfred Hitchcock, and nowhere is that comparison more deserved than here.
One of the greatest ironies in film history is that the mechanical shark barely worked during production. Constant technical problems meant Spielberg couldn't show it very often.
Instead of ruining the film, those problems made it better.
The audience spends most of the film imagining where the shark is rather than actually seeing it.
Sometimes a floating barrel.
Sometimes a ripple in the water.
Sometimes nothing at all.
Our own imagination becomes the monster.
That's why the film still works fifty years later.
John Williams' Genius
John Williams' Genius
It's impossible to discuss Jaws without talking about John Williams.
His score is one of the greatest pieces of film music ever written.
Two simple notes.
That's all it takes.
The music doesn't simply accompany the shark—it becomes the shark.
Even people who've never seen the film instantly recognise those famous notes.
Without John Williams' music, Jaws would still be a great film.
With it, it becomes legendary.
The Opening Scene
The Opening Scene
The very first shark attack remains one of cinema's greatest openings.
A young woman swims alone at night before suddenly being dragged beneath the water by something unseen.
Spielberg barely shows anything.
Instead, he relies on music, editing, sound design and the audience's imagination.
The result is still genuinely frightening today.
Very few opening scenes grab an audience quite like this one.
A Perfect Cast
A Perfect Cast
One of the reasons Jaws works so well is because every member of the cast feels believable.
Roy Scheider – Chief Brody
Roy Scheider – Chief Brody
Roy Scheider gives one of my favourite performances in cinema.
Brody isn't an action hero.
He's an ordinary man trying to do the right thing.
He's a devoted husband and father who genuinely wants to protect the people of Amity Island.
You really feel for him throughout the film because almost every disaster could have been avoided if people had simply listened to him.
Even after all these years, Brody still feels like a real person.
Richard Dreyfuss – Matt Hooper
Richard Dreyfuss – Matt Hooper
Richard Dreyfuss brings humour and intelligence to the film.
Hooper is confident, sometimes a little cocky and clearly comes from a wealthy background, but he's impossible not to like.
His chemistry with Brody is excellent, and the rivalry between him and Quint provides some wonderful moments.
Robert Shaw – Quint
Robert Shaw – Quint
If there's one performance that elevates Jaws into greatness, it's Robert Shaw as Quint.
He's rough, stubborn, unpredictable and endlessly entertaining.
Every time he's on screen, your eyes are drawn to him.
Then comes the USS Indianapolis speech.
For me, it's one of the greatest monologues ever written.
The entire film pauses while Quint quietly tells his horrifying story, and it's impossible not to be captivated.
It's one of those scenes that reminds you just how powerful great acting can be.
The Supporting Characters
The Supporting Characters
Even the smaller roles are memorable.
Murray Hamilton's Mayor Larry Vaughn is both frustrating and believable.
His determination to keep the beaches open, despite the mounting evidence, makes him one of the film's most interesting characters.
You understand why he's making the decisions he does, even if they're completely wrong.
Less Gore, More Fear
Less Gore, More Fear
People often remember Jaws as being a violent film.
In reality, there's surprisingly little blood and gore.
Yes, there are unforgettable moments like the severed leg, the raft attack and Quint's horrifying death.
But Spielberg understands that suspense is far more powerful than constant violence.
Every bloody moment stands out because they're used so sparingly.
Its interesting that Spielberg tries not to use the colour red in the film, instead he uses a pale wased out look to the film. This is to make the sudden use of blood more shocking when seen. Its a great way of subconsciously manipulating the audience.
The Greatest Jump Scare?
The Greatest Jump Scare?
One scene still catches me out.
The discovery of Ben Gardner's boat.
As Hooper investigates the wreck underwater, Spielberg delivers what I honestly think is one of the greatest jump scares in cinema history.
Even when you know it's coming...
It still works.
Why Jaws Has Never Aged
Why Jaws Has Never Aged
One of the most remarkable things about Jaws is how modern it still feels.
There's very little that dates it.
The storytelling is timeless.
The characters feel real.
The tension is still unbearable.
The practical effects remain impressive.
Most importantly, the film trusts its audience.
Rather than overwhelming viewers with spectacle, Spielberg lets us imagine the danger.
That's why it continues to work generation after generation.
My Personal Connection
My Personal Connection
I first discovered Jaws when I was younger, and it has stayed with me ever since.
I've watched it countless times over the years, and every viewing reminds me why I fell in love with cinema in the first place.
It isn't simply nostalgia.
It's because the film genuinely is that good.
Whenever someone asks me what my favourite film is, I never hesitate.
The answer has always been the same.
Jaws.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
For me, Jaws represents everything great cinema should be.
Fantastic storytelling.
Brilliant performances.
An unforgettable musical score.
Masterful direction.
Wonderful characters.
Perfect pacing.
And suspense that still keeps audiences on the edge of their seats fifty years later.
Many films have tried to copy it.
Very few have come close.
If you've somehow never experienced Jaws, you're not just missing one of the greatest thrillers ever made—you’re missing one of the greatest films ever made.
MrSuperphil's Verdict
MrSuperphil's Verdict
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 – My Favourite Film of All Time
"Jaws isn't simply my favourite shark film or my favourite thriller. It's the film I judge every other thriller against. Fifty years later, Spielberg's masterpiece remains the greatest example of suspense ever put on screen, and I suspect it always will."
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