Jaws

The classic film, Jaws, is one of the most notorious films of all time. The story begins in a peaceful, yet excited town on Amity Island. The town’s main source of income is tourism to the beach in the summer, especially around July 4^th. Suddenly days before a large amount of tourist arrive there is a vicious shark attack to a local girl. The Sheriff, Brody, tries to contain the attacks to a minimal number, but with the tourist crazed Mayor deters his attempts. There is again another attack, and the Sheriff is now forced to call in Hooper, an expert from Oceanographic Institute, and Quint, a local fisherman, to help find and kill the Great White shark that has terrorized the town.

With some people filming just comes naturally and they can hone in on their skills with experience. Steven Spielberg is definitely one of those directors. Even though he was an amateur at the time of this film, he created one of the most well-known movies of all time. Many people know that the mechanical shark failed miserably through most of the movie. I believe that it sank to the bottom of the Hudson four times. This single incident alone, of not seeing the shark until almost the very end of the movie, is an element that continues to make this movie so great. You are kept in the dark by just how big the shark is and the mystery of that concept is frightening. In concept of the shark attacking, we are given quicker and short cuts, which hypes up the suspense of “Where is it?? Is it here or over there?” and makes the film more jumpy as if the camera itself is terrified. This is an element that really works with this film.

Another element that everyone knows all too well is “da...na…da…na”. The theme to the shark attacks. Why would this single score be so popular, because the score works for the purpose it was mean for. The low keys being played make you shiver and you know that the inevitable is about to happen. While the rest of the score is not so well known, the most important part of the score is remembered and for good reason. The entire film is really made from the shark attacks. Those few suspenseful moments have you bundled in fear and anticipation.