Steven Spielberg creates tension and engages the viewer in the first two attacks of his acclaimed 1975 film "Jaws". He uses camera shots, music and sound, imagery and colour connections, false alarms and many other theatrical devices and techniques to keep the viewer tense and on edge.
Even before the first scene we hear an eerie sound as the 'Universal' Studio logo appears on the screen which sets the tone for the whole film. We now hear the echo of the water bubbling in the deep ocean, these are almost alien to us and creates a fear of the unknown. Next the credits presenting the three leading actors are shaped in a fin like fashion, following on from this the 'Dah-dum' of the notorious musical score from the composer John Williams, alerting the viewer by repeating ominously, getting faster and faster your heart beat racing with the music creating anxiety. We are now in the viewpoint of the unknown which taps into the most basic of human fears, what unseen creature lurks below the dark surface? The camera tracks the movements through the tangled weeds and murky depths of the ocean creating a sense of being dragged through the water. The music gets textured by other instruments and then crescendos.
Suddenly this scene is juxtaposed as the camera now pans the relaxed atmosphere of the beach party, even though it outlines the segregation of the group. In contrast to the murkiness of the ocean, the bonfire makes clear all that is around. The whole ambience of the party is at a slow pace and so is the music. There is only a harmonica and a guitar playing creating a sense of false security. We feel safe because we are familiar with the beach scene as opposed to the unknown depths of the mysterious ocean.
The camera cuts straight to Chrissy smiling at the boy, emphasising that she is separated from the group, she is also different from the other members of the group, not only is she sitting on her own she is not smoking, drinking or making out like the others. The boy walks across and they start to run off leaving the safe environment and heading towards the shadowy sea, the camera is further away but pans their movement along the seafront. When Chrissy shouts that they are about to go swimming, dramatic irony is created. She does not know that there is something out there but we do. This engages the viewer. When the boy falls over, the fence alongside him comes to an abrupt end showing that danger lies beyond and the audience starts to question could he be the victim? She dives into the sea and all is calm and still, we cut to the man trying to undress himself but failing miserably because he is drunk, when he says he can't undress himself the audience is aware that he is going to be of no help to Chrissy. The camera now shows a long shot of the sea with Chrissy swimming, when she gracefully bends her
leg out of the water it is shaped like a fin, she almost looks like a shark herself. Significantly the yellow sun is shining behind her on the horizon, the colour is used to identify a hazardous situation as in nature. As the film progresses yellow appears more and more and with it's prominence it indicates a shark attack is imminent. The scene is now in silence. There is a low angle shot of Chrissy swimming, mysterious music starts to play for a few seconds then the impending attack is alerted by the familiar sounds of Williams' score. Another low angle shot of Chrissy swimming from the predator's perspective tells us that something is about to happen. Her nakedness makes her all the more vulnerable. Ripples of water surrounding her start to intensify. The only other object in the water is the buoy, this could be a play on words, because the buoy in the water is going to be of help to her whereas the boy on the beach is useless. Suddenly she is dragged under. She wrestles against the shark who beneath the water is savaging her body. A quick cut to the boy lying on the sand completely oblivious to what is happening, makes the attack worse as she has no witnesses and no help. The water splashes up against the camera making the viewer feel that they too are in the same situation. She clings to the buoy the only thing possible to help her which re-emphasises her isolation and helplessness. She is dragged under and there is a deep silence, we see the boy lying on the sand and a long shot of the buoy out at sea, Chrissy is now not present in the sea. This makes us reflect on what has happened and reminds us that the shark is still out there!
The attack was at night and the first shot in the following scene cuts to Brody looking out at sea in the morning. The camera is in the same place therefore engaging the viewer as we feel that we are part of the action and creating dramatic irony as we know that there has been an attack and we wait to see Brody's reaction to this. This is a contrast to the first scene because it is a different time of day but we are still watching the sea. Spielberg merges the two scenes very well as the horizon does not move from scene to scene.
Brody heads out in his yellow police vehicle and passes by a predominantly yellow billboard with an ironic message, whereby Amity is depicted as a fun, carefree seaside resort but we know it is a dark and sinister place. He talks to the boy about the death of Chrissy, a whistle is blown repeatedly creating a sense of panic. The sinister music starts as Brody approaches, Spielberg does not show us the body leaving our imaginations to work, this engages the viewer as he stares at the body which is being ravaged by crabs, this makes her savage death even more macabre as it is re-emphasised.
Brody receives a phone call about the medical report on Chrissy's death. The camera zooms in on the typewriter which says that the probable cause of death was a shark attack, this close up is emotionless because we just see the clear cut facts that there has been an attack. Now Brody knows how the event occurred and we empathise with him. Spielberg creates panic; as he rushes into town he is presented with many obstacles which frustrates the viewer. Also, when he drops the paintbrushes in the shop, we empathise with Brody.
The first false alarm is created when one of his colleagues alerts him of boy scouts out at sea. The viewer imagines these to be the next victims. Brody sets off for the beach and we are left with the scene a carnival atmosphere juxtaposed the shark attack. This is to trick the viewer and to create a false sense of security
A most frustrating and tense moment is created when the Mayor and his cohorts turn up with the medical inspector to tell Brody that Chrissy's died of a boat accident. When the Mayor mentions that the town needs money, we feel that angry that money is more important than safety. The fact we know that a shark is at large and that the Mayor is prepared to run the risk of many deaths makes us experience a sense of outrage. Dramatic tension is created here by the conflict of interests.
Scene 3 sees the inhabitants of Amity enjoying a beautiful day at the seaside. The camera focuses in on Alex Kintner in his red (colour of blood) trunks. His mother is wearing the alarming yellow hat. When his mother tells him that he can swim for another 10 minutes dramatic irony is created as she unknowingly is effectively sending him to his death. The effect of the focusing on Alex; indirectly suggests to the audience that he is to be the next victim.
We see a close up of Brody watching the ocean pensively; this compels us to do the same . He is isolated because he is not part of the happy scene around him. Lots of hints are made as everything we look at could be a possible victim at this point. The dog owners shirt and Alex's lilo is yellow showing us that danger is about to prevail. The camera picks out many situations and we are on edge knowing that something is imminent. There is silence apart from the gentle splashing of the water.
Brody stares out at the water and the camera zooms in on him dramatically creating anxiety. His vision is blocked by people walking past, predominantly a person with yellow shorts. There is the first false alarm in this scene when there is the man with the black swimming cap which Brody mistakes for a shark. Spielberg has made the viewer feel on edge and his audience is now constantly looking for the attack. We hear a girl screaming and Brody is immediately alerted, peering over a mans shoulder; we find out it is only a game. Yet another alarm. When he is asked to let the children go into the water he is reluctant to let them go, but does. The camera switches from child to child in a scrambled camera angle at a very low height making the viewer feel that they are there. In this scene the editing picks up a notch which starts to create panic. When the dog owner calls for his dog but gets no reply we imagine the worst.
The camera cuts to the shark's perspective (a low angle shot) and the menacing music starts to play. The shark moves closer and the music gets faster and louder. The shark attacks and because it is daylight we can see the blood spurting out this makes the attack look much worse. We are taken underwater with the boy, the music is at its loudest at this point. The camera contra-zooms in on Brody's panicked face and chaos erupts as the parents run in. The impression that this camera effect creates, tenses the viewer, because when a camera zooms in it doesn't usually move backwards. Therefore forcing the viewer into an awkward position at the same time as emphasising the pandemonium around Brody.
Spielberg closes the camera on Alex's mother and cleverly shows her shock, she is the last to look for her child isolating her and her situation. With all the different camera angles on the mother her desperation and anxiety is intensified. When we concentrate on the lilo which is torn up there is a deadly silence, this punctuates the end of the attack. The fact that the child is killed makes it all the more horrific because a child dying is unacceptable.
The first attack is set in the dead of night in an isolated environment with only two characters; in contrast to the second attack which takes place in daylight on a crowded beach with a bustling atmosphere. The two attacks are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The first can be easily dismissed as an accident because of the lack of witness'; whereas the second is seen in all its glory and has to be acted upon. The shark has become the powerful dictator, he is in control of the people's fate which unsettles the audience and makes them feel vulnerable.
Spielberg's "Jaws" has had a profound influence upon society. Until this day, people think twice about entering the sea. The technical boundaries faced by Spielberg at the time of making Jaws may have created a better film because he had to rely on conventional cinematic ways such as editing, pacing, creative photography and characterisation instead of the wizardry of special effect used nowadays.
Disk 2: mainly there is a 1 hour 50 mins documentary, containing everything; from Universal winning the rights to the book, throughout production and the motorized shark not functioning, all the way to the release of the film. As the film is quite old, there isn't much behind the scenes. The documentary is mainly people just talking which frustrated me. Other features comprise of a Spielberg interview from1974, 13 deleted scenes, countless shark facts, out-takes, storyboards and image gallery. This collector's edition also includes 8 lobby cards, the infamous soundtrack C.D., 6 publicity stills and a sketch book.
Thanks for reading Marvello
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Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Sorry, but I do have to agree with some of the comments below. That just felt WAY too detailed in terms of plot.
sandemp 22.02.2006 00:43
Is it worth watching it now? I would have prefered to read your opinion on the film rather than everything that happens in it.
ThePolarOne 21.02.2006 13:56
Sorry for the low rating - but it reads more like a script draft than a review. I agree with the things Fabfrog5 said below too. Will re-rate if you choose to edit it.
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