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Directed by: Steven Spielberg 
Written by: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb from Benchley’s novel
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| Released: |
1975 |
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| Genre: |
ACTION
ADVENTURE
MONSTER
HORROR
THRILLER
IMPORTANT
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| Origin: |
US |
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| Colour: |
C |
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| Length: |
125 |
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Murderous shark terrorizes Long Island resort.
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Reviewed by Chris Tookey
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| A ripping yarn. Rumour has it that the movie was rescued by Verna Fields in the cutting room; but there had to be something for her to her to rescue, so don’t believe those who argue that Spielberg was just lucky. The opening sequence is a classic of cinema, as are several other moments (such as the one where the camera dollies in on Scheider while zooming out at the same time: a wonderful way of evoking Scheider’s horror at seeing the disappearance of a child under the waves - much copied since). John Williams’s Oscar-winning score is among his best. The performances are above average, although Robert Shaw goes over the top and the shark itself is not altogether convincing. There are longueurs in the script; but Spielberg - still in his twenties when he made this - shows his talent for creating suspense, delivering shocks, defusing situations through humour, and building up to a great climax. |
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| "Violent, nasty, crude. There was nothing in the picture that was personal to me. It was a calculated movie. I made each cut with glee, knowing the effect that it would have on the audience. I don't ever want to be involved in another picture like that." |
| (Steven Spielberg, 1978, quoted in John Baxter's 1996 biography Steven Spielberg) |
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, Richard Dreyfuss 