Jaws

Summary

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
In 2019, Universal Studios released the classic Spielberg directed horror film Jaws on 4K UHD. I had preordered the film as soon as it had been announced, so I could see how much of a visual upgrade the film had received. Jaws has been a staple in my life since I first watched the film with my parents at a very young age. It is one of the films that I watch at least bi-annually with my wife. I think the reason why the film has remained one of my favorites is that I have gone to Florida’s beaches since I was a child, and now I take my family to those same beaches as an adult. While the beaches of the Gulf Coast are not exactly the same as the Northern beaches, I can’t help but think of Amity Island every time I am walking the beaches of the panhandle. People like myself who grew up visiting coastal towns which make their money off tourism can not help but think of the film. Jaws was said to be the film that would make you never look at the water the same, and I believe it lives up to its name. I don’t know how it would be possible to look out at the ocean from the beach and not be curious if a shark is out there after seeing the film. I was recently with my family in Florida and we decided to revisit the film after we had watched a baby (four-foot long) shark cruising the shallow waters near the beach. I was happy to see that both of my children were engaged by the film and we soon found ourselves watching all four of the Jaws films.
When Jaws was released, it was an international sensation. Steven Spielberg had directed a TV movie called Duel and one other feature before directing Jaws, but Jaws made him a celebrated director and a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, and is still considered the greatest natural horror film ever made. The film was so successful it was imitated relentlessly. Even in the early Nineties, filmmakers were still making inexpensive ripoffs of Jaws (see Cruel Jaws by Bruno Mattei.) I was happy to revisit the film with my family, and they were just as happy to revisit it with me.
On the small Northeast coastal town of Amity Island, as the town prepares for their July 4th celebration, some college aged kids hang out on the beach around a bonfire. A girl entices a boy to follow her to the ocean. She strips off her clothes and gets into the ocean water, as the drunk boy stumbles in the sand dune while chasing after her. In the water, near a floating buoy, she is attacked by a large shark and pulled under the water. The next day, local sheriff Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) is summoned to search for the girl. He has moved with his family to Amity Island to get away from the crime in New York City, with the hope that in Amity Island one man can make a difference. When they find the girl’s body it is assumed that the girl was killed by a shark. This is confirmed by the subsequent autopsy. Brody recommends closing down the beaches while they search for the shark, but Mayor Larry Vaughan insists that the girl’s death must have been caused by a boat motor. The coroner allows this theory to persist, so Brody is hamstrung. On the beach, the locals and the tourists continue about their business unaware of the dangerous predator still alive in the water. The shark eats a young child named Alex Kintner just yards away from the beach. When the mother finds out that Brody had known of the presence of the shark, she slaps Brody across the face. Oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) arrives in town to offer his assistance in locating the shark. The town offers a $3000 dollar bounty for the man who kills the shark that ate Alex Kintner. In the town meeting, Mr Quint (Robert Shaw) offers his services: $10,000 to kill, $3000 to find the shark. The town shrugs him off and numerous less skilled fisherman seek the shark. A fairly large shark is brought in from their hunt and the Mayor insists that the shark has been caught and that the issue is resolved. Meanwhile, Matt insists that the shark that killed the girl was much larger – a great white. When they cut open the belly of the shark caught by the fishermen, there are no remains of the child, disproving the Mayor’s theory. Brody insists that the town take Mr. Quint up on his offer. Brody, despite his fear of the water, joins Matt and Quint on the small seafaring vessel The Orca with hopes of locating and eliminating the deadly shark.
Jaws is a perfectly written and perfectly executed film. I have used this term a lot recently while describing Spielberg’s films, but there is a reason he is considered one of the greatest directors of all time. The script itself manages to tie in small town politics, great character development, and a truly formidable and deadly beast without ever becoming top heavy. Spielberg understood exactly where to place the camera and how to direct the action, even while dealing with a constantly malfunction mechanical shark. In a less talented director’s hands, the shark could have come off laughable. In his hands, the shark is truly frightening. The score by John Williams is one of the most imitated scores ever written. The theme is thrilling and epic in scope, but also simple enough for people to recall the theme immediately. Despite having been released decades ago, Jaws is still extremely exciting and thrilling.
The acting in the film is great across the board. The best acting in the film is performed by Robert Shaw as the grizzled Indianapolis veteran Quint. As he tells the story of his scars and the sinking of the Indianapolis, it is impossible to discount the story. He is unforgettable in the role. Luckily, both Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss turn in iconic performances as well. Scheider is understated in his performance and nails the role in every scene. Thinking of when he firsts jerks up after seeing the shark, or the final moments where he calls the shark a son of a bitch, I can’t imagine another actor in the role. Scheider was a versatile actor and he shined here. Dreyfuss is wonderful as Matt Hooper. Spielberg would later use Dreyfuss for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, another great film, but I feel his role here is just as enjoyable. Dreyfuss brings a very real academic sensibility to the character. The mayor of the city is also excellently portrayed by Murray Hamilton. During 2020 I enjoyed seeing his character become a recurring meme online regarding safety. Lorraine Gary is a solid romantic lead as Ellen Brody. She would end up starring in two of the sequels, including the insane Jaws: The Revenge, making her the most constant aspect of the Jaws films.
There are certain films that retain all of their brilliance decades after being released. Jaws is a timeless film and deserves the classic status bestowed upon it. Often imitated, but never equaled, it is still thrilling to watch.
Video
Jaws splashes onto 4K UHD with an amazing transfer from Universal Pictures presented in 2.39:1 aspect ratio with and HEVC/ H 2.65 Native 4K encode with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The new presentation of Jaws is a truly remarkable upgrade from the Blu-ray release. That said – and this is no knock to the UHD – the upgrade in picture quality definitely raised an eyebrow or two in my family when we watched the opening sequence where the girl is naked in the water! Fans will be amazed at the new transfer. It feels like experiencing the film for the first time again.
Audio
New to this 4K UHD release is a brand new Dolby Atmos track. I thought the Atmos track sounded fantastic as I watched the film the other night. Dialogue is crystal clear and the action sequences benefit from the well configured surround landscapes of the film. This track is first class in every regard.
Supplements:
The supplements are the same as the 2012 Blu-ray release included in the set. Aside from the Jaws Archives, all of the features are included on the actual UHD disc, which is always a pleasant surprise for UHD buyers.
The Making of Jaws – a feature length look at the making of the film.
The Shark is Still Working: The Impact and Legacy of Jaws – another feature length making of the film.
Jaws: The Restoration
Deleted Scenes and Outtakes
From the Set
Theatrical Trailer
Jaws Archives (BD Only): Includes Storyboards, Production Photos, Marketing ‘Jaws’ and ‘Jaws’ Phenomenon.
Overall Scores:
Video – 5/5
Audio – 5/5
Supplements – 4.5/5
Overall – 5/5
Jaws is one of the greatest films ever made and is a classic film that has retained all of its power over forty five years later. My family loves the film and the new 4K UHD is the best possible way to experience Jaws. The film has been imitated, but remains a singular achievement. This release earns our highest recommendation.