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Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton ... see more see more... , Carl Gottlieb , Jeffrey Kramer , Susan Backlinie , Jonathan Filley , Ted Grossman , Lee Fierro , Jeffrey Voorhees , Craig Kingsbury , Dr. Robert Nevin , Peter Benchley , Jay Mello , Chris Rebello , Allison Caine

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. O... read more read more...ne 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, Rovi

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PG, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: June 1, 1975

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DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000

Stats: 50,945 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (50,945)

  • aquateen2
    February 25, 2012
    aquateen2
    Jaws is the undefeated master of horror, terror and suspense. Simply because of how little you see the shark is why your sitting on the edge of your seat eagerly awaiting the next suspenseful scene.
  • spielberg00
    February 4, 2012
    spielberg00
    The main reason so many people refuse to go back in the water.
  • TomBowler
    December 20, 2011
    TomBowler
    There is a famous saying; imitation is the highest form of flattery. Yet often said imitation can be to the original's detriment, as it undermines its power. But like all classics, it doesn't matter how many tryhard attempts at recreating a masterpiece appear on our cinema screen... read mores, there is no denying the pure injection of fear which comes from watching Steven Spielberg's masterpiece; Jaws.

    The story takes place in a sunbaked little town called Amity Island, a town which lives for the summer because the tourists come to town. But things are thrown into disarray when new-to-town Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) discovers the victim of a shark attack on one of the beaches. Unwilling to lose the influx of customers as a result of the tourist season, Mayor Vaughn decides to keep the beaches open. After the attacks continue, however, Chief Police Brody, icthyologist (read: shark nerd) Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and local shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw), unite to hunt the shark down.

    Steven Spielberg is the man to be thanking for this masterpiece. Without him, the film could have turned into an uninteresting shark fest which would work for shock value but wouldn't have the devastating impact that it still has today. What could have been a string of disjointed set-pieces is put together brilliantly to make this film one of the greatest horrors of all time. The mystery and restraint shown by Spielberg throughout the film is reason enough to call him a genius, not to mention the expert characterisation which he cleverly weaves in here and there. Each of our characters are fleshed out and 3-dimensional, as well as being equal parts loveable and frustrating. The perfect use of music, the incredible camerawork, the nerve shredding moments of fear, all of it is put together seamlessly by a master at work. There are moments of pure shock and there are moments of extended tension which will have you tearing at the cushion which you hold for comfort. One thing's for certain, it keeps you on your toes.

    The acting in this film is far over and above what you'd get in today's cookie-cutter horrors. Roy Scheider is great as Police Chief Martin Brody. He shows the incredible frustration which his character feels as he is overruled again and again by a man motivated by greed. He shows that he can do humour as well, with wry lines like "He's in the yard not too far from the car." But while he is great as our lead, It's Richard Dreyfuss who steals the show as the more-than-slightly hyperactive Matt Hooper. Like an over-caffinated obsessive-compulsive, Dreyfuss inhabits his character perfectly, showing his indignation, his frustration and his fear with a childlike exuberance which makes him such a likeable character. Robert Shaw plays the almost crazy shark hunter Quint and is fantastic in his role. He mumbles, working class hero-like through his lines "You go in the cage, cage goes in the water, you go in the water? Shark's in the water. Our shark." with a perfect condescending feel which suits his character to a tee. The comradery between these three characters is one of the best parts of the film, and as three initially different characters begin to accept and even embrace one another for their differences, you can almost forget that there is a monster shark on the loose. This is a tribute to not only Spielberg for luring us into a false sense of security, but the realistic relaxation by the actors onscreen which double the effect.

    Every part of this brilliant film works together perfectly in order to create this incredible experience. Yes, accidents on set did make scary scenes even scarier and the experience made Spielberg vow to never film on open sea again, but there's not too many films which can boast that an audience ran out of the cinema, into the bathroom, threw up, and ran back inside to keep watching the test screening. It's a morbidly fascinating and pants-wettingly scary film which have you steering clear of beaches for some time, yet coming back for repeat viewings over and over again.

    Defining Scene:
    That brilliant first death sequence. The combination of John Williams infamous strings and Spielberg's fantastic direction makes this scene unforgettable.

    Quotes:
    "You're gonna need a bigger boat."
    "That's some bad hat harry."
    "Here's to swimming with bow-legged women."
    "Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain."
    "This was no boat accident."
    "Here lies the body of Mary Lee; died at the age of a hundred and three. For fifteen years she kept her virginity; not a bad record for this vicinity."
    "Smile you son of a bitch."
    "I used to hate the water." "I can't imagine why."
  • fb100002384654145
    October 31, 2011
    fb100002384654145
    A film that demonstrates that it is what you don't see that scares you. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw give excellent performances. The story is compelling and the music is chillingly iconic.
  • DreamExtractor
    October 17, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Jaws is one of the most thrilling and realistic experiences I have ever seen on film, and what makes it even better is that experiences with sharks happen all the time and its just terrifying that stuff like this happens. The plot is not just a story about a shark attacking p... read moreeople, it has characters we grow to enjoy and a story that teaches much about the nature of sharks, a truly great story that I got into. The cast is incredibly great, Roy Scheider is cool and started the line "We're gonna need a bigger boat," Richard Dreyfuss is funny and smart and he was definently a great pick, and Robert Shaw is really tough and awesome and I think he played a very memorable role. The horror is incredible, what is scarier knowing that the same exact thing could happen to you, I was scared sh!tless. Jaws is a american classic that will be often remembered as the greatest horror film of all time, and I can honestly say that every moment of this movie is exciting and thrilling, I love this film and its one of the greatest films of all time.
  • samoriley
    October 12, 2011
    samoriley
    Jaws is quite possibly one of Steven Speilberg's greatest movies. It's very intense,violent and even today, keeps people afraid of the water. There will never be another film which will have this achievement or have such a massive impact on society.
  • FilmFanatik
    September 24, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    A best-selling book, a superb cast and a masterful young director come together to make one of the screen's greatest all-time classic films: Jaws. Everything about this film is fresh even if it is a little dated in look. Most films today don't ever come off this strong. The dialo... read moregue is fantastic, the pace keeps the thing moving by quickly, the cinematography is great and the performances are amazing from everyone. This is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite films that I could watch over and over again - and most likely will. An absolute masterpiece and one of Steven Spielberg's top 5 best films.
  • fb729949618
    September 18, 2011
    fb729949618
    Didn't see this movie until 2010, but I can see why it was such a thrill during it's release. To this day it is still a very relevant movie, and a classic to say the least.
  • theoneandonlybg
    September 16, 2011
    theoneandonlybg
    What is there to say about Jaws really that you don't already know? It's a classic American film directed by Stephen Spielberg, it is one of the best films of all time according to many lists and has some very iconic music. But the problems I found with this film was that I only ... read morewatched it once!

    A film can always be good when you watch it the first time, but for it to be really good, you've got to actually want to watch it again. Unless I'm mistaken I only ever saw Jaws once. I may soon watch it again, but other than that I haven't seen it much compared to other films.

    I think one of the things with it that made me not watch it that much was the fact that it was a bit too long. The film itself was good, but is too long for what is only an average film on the whole when you look at it carefully enough.

    The other main problem, as noted by Spielberg himself, was that it was Jaws that sparked a fear of sharks across the world, making Spielberg regret creating the Jaws films. Spielberg noted that sharks were not on a rampage to kill all humans, but are merely looking for food and mistake humans for dolphins.

    What I'm trying to get at is that the film, although good, caused a large amount of unnecessary fear of sharks and was one of those films that should have been made a tiny bit shorter, just so I could be bothered to take it out of it's box!
  • theunknownhobo
    August 25, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    Now I understand why this movie is penned as one of the greatest of all time and maybe its just me and my modern hunger for special effects, but seriously, the mechanical shark? The cast of Finding Nemo was more intimidating, and this is coming from a woman who is scared of Orca.

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Critic Reviews

October 16, 2008
TIME Magazine

Spielberg works self-effacingly, with subtly correct camera placement and meticulous editing. He twists our guts with false alarms, giving us the real thing with heart-stopping suddenness. Full Review

Dave Kehr
June 27, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Steven Spielberg's mechanical thriller is guaranteed to make you scream on schedule. Full Review

A.D. Murphy
June 27, 2007
A.D. Murphy, Variety

The fast-moving 124-minute film engenders enormous suspense as the shark attacks a succession of people. Full Review

James Berardinelli
December 12, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

When it comes to this kind of thriller, no movie has been able to top Jaws, although many have tried. And, as the years go by, it seems increasingly unlikely that anything will come close. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of the most effective thrillers ever made. Full Review

Scott Nash
February 10, 2012
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

Forget Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler's List. This is Spielberg's masterwork. Full Review

Tim Brayton
January 10, 2012
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

One of the absolute masterpieces of populist cinema. Full Review

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

Five-star movie could scare the pants off kids. Full Review

Michael A. Smith
January 7, 2010
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

To be brief and to the point, the GREATEST FILM EVER MADE! Thank you for your time. Full Review

Rob Nelson
August 20, 2009
Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul

Simply put, Jaws turned the tide of American cinema: irrevocably, and not for the better. Full Review

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    • Quint: [singing] Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu you ladies of Spain. For we've received orders for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore shall we see you again.
    • Quint: Shit.
    • Quint: This is the story of Mary McGee, lived to the age of 103. For 50 years she kept her virginity, not a bad record for this vicinity.
    • Chief Martin Brody: I used to hate the water.
    • Matt Hooper: I cant imagine why.
    • Matt Hooper: You were on the Indianapolis?
    • Chief Martin Brody: What happened?
    • Quint: Japanese submarine slammed two torpedoes into our side, Chief. We was comin' back from the island of Tinian to Leyte... just delivered the bomb. The Hiroshima bomb. Eleven hundred men went into the water. Vessel went down in 12 minutes. Didn't see the first shark for about a half an hour. Tiger. 13-footer. You know how you know that when you're in the water, Chief? You tell by looking from the dorsal to the tail fin. What we didn't know, was our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent. They didn't even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, Chief, sharks come cruisin', so we formed ourselves into tight groups. You know, it was kinda like old squares in the battle like you see in the calendar named "The Battle of Waterloo" and the idea was: shark comes to the nearest man, that man he starts poundin' and hollerin' and screamin' and sometimes the shark will go away... but sometimes he wouldn't go away. Sometimes that shark he looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. And, you know, the thing about a shark... he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be living... until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then... ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin'. The ocean turns red, and despite all the poundin' and the hollerin', they all come in and they... rip you to pieces. You know by the end of that first dawn, lost a hundred men. I don't know how many sharks, maybe a thousand. I know how many men, they averaged six an hour. On Thursday morning, Chief, I bumped into a friend of mine, Herbie Robinson from Cleveland. Baseball player. Boatswain's mate. I thought he was asleep. I reached over to wake him up. He bobbed up, down in the water just like a kinda top. Upended. Well, he'd been bitten in half below the waist. Noon, the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a Lockheed Ventura saw us. He swung in low and he saw us... he was a young pilot, a lot younger than Mr. Hooper. Anyway, he saw us and he come in low and three hours later a big fat PBY comes down and starts to pick us up. You know that was the time I was most frightened... waitin' for my turn. I'll never put on a lifejacket again. So, eleven hundred men went in the water; 316 men come out and the sharks took the rest, June the 29th, 1945. Anyway, we delivered the bomb.
    • Matt Hooper: YOU GOT ANY BETTER SUGGESTIONS?
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Jaws Trivia

  • "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..." was a tagline for what film?  Answer »
  • In 'Jaws', the line "we're gonna need a bigger boat" was a total improvisation and not in the script. True or False?  Answer »
  • Jaws went an extra dimension in one of its films but which one?  Answer »
  • "were going to need a bigger boat" comes from which jaws movie?  Answer »
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