G.C.S.E English: Media coursework Jaws 30 years on. Thirty years ago, a partnership was made, a partnership between one of the biggest predators

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G.C.S.E English: Media coursework

Jaws 30 years on.

        

        Thirty years ago, a partnership was made, a partnership between one of the biggest predators of the sea and one of the biggest Hollywood directors, Steven Spielberg, and the result was the science-fiction, suspense, horror film "Jaws", the highest grossing film of the time. Thirty years on it still delivers, it still has the scare factor, the ability to horrify and make us nervous about swimming in the world’s oceans. Spielberg’s marine masterpiece has never been topped. There have been many reincarnations for example `Deep Blue Sea’, `Shark Attack’ and others, but for me these films lacked the superb directing of someone of the calibre of Steven Spielberg and failed to create the extreme horror of `Jaws’. According to Richard Zanuck it was ` …the film that literally defined the modern approach to presenting movies as we know it, literally the first true `blockbuster’ feature’ and was nominated  for four Academy awards. It won three Oscars including best sound, best original score and best film editing.

         There were many problems with the production of this film. There were malfunctional model sharks which took months to rectify which resulted in the film being seriously behind schedule and seriously over budget. Spielberg overcame these obstacles and produced a film that sent shiver and tingles down the audience‘s spine.

         Established and unknown actors gave more than credible performances. Roy Scheider played the new chief of police from New York. He was a family orientated man, who was determined to ensure public safety in the resort town of Amity Island. His strong, masculine facial features prepared the audience for his determined stance against the Mayor Murray Hamilton who was more interested in the town’s economy and the lucrative fourth of July weekend that was approaching.  Murray Hamilton’s quick to smile countenance, made him an excellent choice for the devious and dishonest authority figure who wanted to cover up the dangers of the shark and desperately  tried to restrict Police Chief Brody. Richard Dreyfuss an established Hollywood actor, played the bespectacled, bearded marine biologist, Matt Hooper, offering the few occasions of light relief. The audience warmed to his congenial character. Behind his congeniality, there was strength and we see this when he stood his ground against the mayor. The ageing British actor, Robert Shaw, played the grizzly, grubby, salty fisherman and WWII veteran, Quint. His mature, rugged and haggard features were what we would of expected of a shark hunter. He was perfect for the over the top, obsessed hunter, who was determined to eliminate all sharks.

   

        The plot is about a Great White shark, which terrorised the resort town of Amity. The local police chief for safety reasons, wanted to close the beaches but the mayor would not allow it because of the harm it would cause to the town’s tourism. After many shark attacks, the mayor relents and appoints the crusty, experienced, old mariner, Quint, to hunt the shark. The mariner with the help of chief of police and a marine biologist take to the sea  and eventually succeed.

         What had happened to the country made “Jaws” a much more meaningful film. America was in shock after losing a war that they, superpower America, thought would be a breeze. After fighting in Vietnam for over 20 years, the longest war in history, the general spirit and morale was low. It had taken its toll on their army and their economy. America was not used to losing. There was doubt, paranoia, and the country was divided. "Jaws" reminded Americans all too well of the grave loss of life in Vietnam because the shark had many things in common with the Vietcong gorillas, America's enemy. First of all the shark was a silent and camouflaged enemy killing of American bathers whilst never revealing itself. This was a very similar approach by the Vietcong. The Vietcong also killed silently, emerging from underground tunnels in which they were hidden. Just like the Vietcong the shark was on a home front. It also had links with the Watergate era through the devious and dishonest figure of the mayor. This was a major reason why this film was such a hit, because it seemed so real to the people of America, it was toying with the realisation of the war and their emotions and portraying the shark not just as a mindless killer but a symbol of the Vietcong.

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        The film was produced by Richard Zanuck and David Brown, who had purchased the film rights to Peter Benchley's novel in 1973. $175,000 was paid for the movie rights and Benchley’s script on his best selling novel. Benchley's novel was based on a true event that took place in the summer of 1916 in New Jersey coast, where a shark killed four people. “Jaws” was originally going to be directed by Alfred Hitchcock with Charlton Heston as Police Chief Brody however In 1973 they assigned Spielberg to direct. Spielberg was a perfect director for this nail biting film. He ...

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