Jaws

My friend told me how during the scene where the human head appears, everyone in the cinema jumped so hard that one row completely collapsed (you know, old cinema, joined wooden seats, you don't see something like that in a multiplex), I think that says it all… The model of the shark didn't work as it should, and that's why Spielberg opted for hints in the first half. And he did well, the human imagination is often much more frightening. (13/04/2003)

The series of Spielberg's projects, which made the director famous, no longer excites me today, but if I had to name a title that I consider crucial in his early creative period, it would be Jaws. Spielberg showed himself to be a great storyteller here, who masterfully worked with tension and human fear of the unknown. From a basically very simple plot, he made a gripping genre film that could become a textbook for aspiring filmmakers, and a number of scenes still amaze today with the filmmaker's impressive cleverness. I consider the underwater scenes filmed from the shark's perspective or the view of the fisherman on a broken pier particularly well-crafted, as he experiences a transformation from the hunter to the hunted in a split second. Overall impression: 90%. (04/11/2014)

The hidden evil that lurks beneath the surface, waiting to strike. Its terrifying arrival is signalled by a sharply bevelled dorsal fin and soon several rows of razor-sharp teeth. In Jaws, it is not the shark that is feared directly, but its mere presence. John Williams' score only enhances the film's suspenseful atmosphere. It distantly reminded me of the Alien, where the creature itself is only properly seen in the final part of the film, while creepy hints permeate the rest of the film, teasing the viewer and preparing them for the climax. Jaws is definitely not a bad film, it's probably just me being a bad viewer because I can't say I wasn't bored at times. The working with the shark is a really top-notch display of skilled craftsmanship, and a lot of today's horror films can’t even hold a candle to this cult classic. Somewhat similar to Alien, which I enjoyed more in the end, but I highly recommend watching it because I enjoyed it too, and I am not exactly a fan of shark movies. (18/07/2011)

An unequal duel between a cute cartilaginous fish and the evil mammals who occupy its until now peaceful home. Fortunately our Kafkaesque nameless hero doesn’t give up and with all his might he protects his holy right to freedom and to life in general. It is unbelievably easy to identify with this nice guy and there are countless heart attack moments when you fear for him as if he were you. After seeing this movie you’ll never want to get out of the water back to that despicable human vermin. Shame on us! (11/02/2008)

Seeing Jaws in the cinema and, paradoxically, at a greater distance from the screen, put it in a different light for me. It made me more aware of the overall composition of the picture, which was masterfully crafted even in this early stage of Spielberg’s career (that is also true of his even earlier Duel). Jaws, however, is a pure film delight also due to the depiction of the characters and their relationships, which brings an element of storytelling into this film with a one-line premise. Not to mention the brilliant building of tension. Imagine being the first in the history of cinema to make an A-grade film about a murderous shark on an unknown small-town beach where you can’t use the potential of any locally known attractions and the only things you have are an old boat and a mechanical shark, and making such a compact, playful and, at the same time, scary movie that entertains with its every scene. Steven nailed it. But he wasn’t completely alone in this – he had great support from John Williams, and thank God for it, on behalf of Spielberg’s entire filmography. (07/02/2019)