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Displaying a flair for suspense worthy of Hitchcock, young Steven Spielberg terrorized a generation's moviegoers simply by showing a fin in the water. Adapted from Peter Benchley's bestseller, Spielberg's first major hit earned an Oscar nomination for best picture, spawned multiple sequels, and changed Hollywood forever by making the action-blockbuster a summer staple. A triumph of superb craftsmanship, enhanced by John Williams's menacing, Oscar-winning score, Jaws serves as a showcase for three outstanding performances. Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider star as the marine biologist and landlubber sheriff, respectively, who join forces with a grizzled fisherman (Robert Shaw) to hunt down the man-eating shark that is terrorizing a summer resort. There are echoes of Moby Dick in Shaw's obsessive, Captain Ahab-like sailor, as there are in the film's theme of the struggle between man and nature. There is also an element of gallows humor ("I think we need a bigger boat") that punctuates the terror like drops of demented glee. As viewers will see in the outstanding "Making of Jaws" documentary included on both the DVD and double-cassette VHS Anniversary Collector's Editions, this fish story succeeded because of its rich storytelling and characterization. A shock film with heart and soul to match its grit, Jaws remains a true American classic. Ben Wolf

All Movie Guide

Based on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel, Steven Spielberg's 1975 shark saga set the standard for the New Hollywood popcorn blockbuster while frightening millions of moviegoers out of the water. One early summer night on fictional Atlantic resort Amity Island, Chrissie decides to take a moonlight skinny dip while her friends party on the beach. Yanked suddenly below the ocean surface, she never returns. When pieces of her wash ashore, Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) suspects the worst, but Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), mindful of the lucrative tourist trade and the approaching July 4th holiday, refuses to put the island on a business-killing shark alert. After the shark dines on a few more victims, the Mayor orders the local fishermen to catch the culprit. Satisfied with the shark they find, the greedy Mayor reopens the beaches, despite the warning from visiting ichthyologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) that the attacks were probably caused by a far more formidable Great White. One more fatality later, Brody and Hooper join forces with flinty old salt Quint (Robert Shaw), the only local fisherman willing to take on a Great White--especially since the price is right. The three ride off on Quint's boat "The Orca," soon coming face to teeth with the enemy. Lucia Bozzola

Product Details

• UPC: 025192004025
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Presentation: Pan & Scan
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English
• Subtitles: Français, Español, English
• Time: 2:05:00
• Sales Rank: 12,349

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