Camera techniques are being used less and less these days in the common film and pushed out into the water to be replaced by special effects and expensive props. So clever and intuitive techniques are increasingly rare, which makes me even more glad to see these simple, yet effective, movements and points of view . For example, the opening camera shot is a point of view... from the shark! This was amazingly creative and lended the film a unique sense of fear and primevil belonging. The camera slowly moves through the water while combined with the background music that flows alongside the film perfectly. It then increases in pace, faster, and faster. The scene ends when the shark-cam is directly underneath an unsuspecting civilian. Amazingly atmospheric.
Another famous camera shot is of the monster's looming black dorsel fin above the water, moving like a quick, deadly, silent predator. This induces the fear of death and incinuates that the aquatic creature has arrived. Spielberg knew this, by cruely having a swimmer in the ocean look exactly like the infamous fish paranoid Brody was terrified of.
Good acting. Something that I am worried is being neglected in recent films I've viewed. But the film 'Jaws' redefines acting and builds relations with characters, even if they are not originally particularly likeable human beings (e.g. Hooper). Every single actor put their own personal touch to the character's developement, like Quint's “this shark is goin' down, and no one can stop me” attitude and was coupled with some of the most remarkable acting I've ever seen. One character I grew a unusual passion of hatred for the Shark fanatic near the beginning of the film, though I was swayed in the scene on the boat where all the main characters burst into song. But I grew to like all the characters, like many people did – yes, even the old guy with the hat.
My favourite scene was the scene where the main three began to venture out into the vast expanse of the ocean only to be greeted by wrecked boats and equipment of the big-headed and egotistical wannabe Quints who previously travelled out to sea to claim the generous bounty on the shark. The camera and props work together and move seamlessly aswell as the light from the boat compliments the mood amazingly to increase the anxiety of each and every person, viewer and character alike.
All in all, the film, “Jaws” is awesome, quite simply to put it. Amazingly devised film, amazingly devised soundtrack, amazingly devised script. The mood and atmosphere is created as a mix of many factors Speilberg was in charge of and each factor works perfectly and in harmony with each other. There is only one way I can think of to describe this work of art. A masterpiece... truly. Each and every part is created to enhance the experience of viewing of something so flawless, and rightly deserves the enormous amount of praise it revieves. Have you seen this film? If no, then watch it! If yes, then watch it again!!
~Andrew Roe