We are able to see the world from the POV of the shark. A vast amount of suspense is created as we are guided slowly but steadily through the water, wondering what the shark is about to do next. This has now most definitely become a horror film cliché. What makes the journey all the more redoubtable is the fact that we cannot actually see the shark; this creates even more threat towards the audience as it is an unseen danger.
As the underwater world slowly fades up to the beach, we are lead up to a magnificent campfire.
There is diegetic sound: a harmonica and guitar are being played by teenagers on the beach, there are also people having fun; laughing and talking. This location is much less menacing that the water, it is warm and inviting.
The use of folk music suggests peacefulness, the campfire has connotations of being a happy; safe; fun place to be, however the sea has something else in mind.
As the camera pans around the scene, we are finally shown the shear amount of teenagers sitting around the campfire: this makes the beach seem all the more safe.
However, the audience are still wary because of what has just been shown. This feeling is backed up when we are shown a young woman (Chrissie played by Susan Becklinie) sitting alone admiring a young, very drunk man. As the two continue staring at each other, the audience are left
wondering, what is going of to happen to these two and how are they connected to the story? Suddenly a VLS of the campfire and the sea is shown.
The boy goes over to Chrissie and they both run towards the gushing sea. Chrissie runs faster than the boy and she begins stripping to go skinny dipping. Chrissie jumps into the sea and begins swimming further out.
Guess what happens next? ...
… The famous ‘der-der’ music begins; and I guess you all know what is about to happen next!
Yep that’s right! The shark gets closer and closer until we can almost feel the goose bumps beginning to appear up our arms; she gets pulled down, harder each time. You must be thinking why on earth doesn’t the boy come to help? But he’s fallen asleep, too drunk to hear her cries. As the screaming gets louder, the shark tugs at her legs harder. This one last tug is enough; the shark gets what it wants… Chrissie! In the pitch black screen we are still able to see Chrissie’s deep red blood.
Backlinie’s acting seems incredibly real. From her screaming to the ‘sharks’ tugging at her leg, Becklinie performs her all time best. She leaves the audience in awe.
Finally, using an entirely different location, Spielberg uses Chrissie’s death to introduce the film’s hero – the local sheriff Martin Broody (played by Roy Scheider). Various BCUs and CUs show Broody looking out of his bedroom window at the beautiful, irenic sea – who would have thought that just the night before, a young, innocent woman got brutally eaten alive by a shark in that very sea!
This introduction of Broody makes the audience think, the shark is not gone! It wants more and until it gets what it wants, it isn’t going anywhere!
The use of two such contrasting locations in two different times in the day indicates that more gruesome action is on its way!
This hide-behind-the-sofa-style movie is definitely on the top of my list! I would most certainly watch this thriller again and again. This film may be some what predictable, however, Spielberg most definitely spices it up with all the, full – throttle fun and gut-wrenching action!
To find out what’s gonna happen next, you’re gonna have to watch it yourself!
By Nikita Damania
