Shark-induced terror that catapulted Steven Spielberg to fame, encapsulated by the movie "Jaws"
The iconic 1975 film "Jaws," directed by Steven Spielberg, marked a pivotal moment in cinematic history as the first major summer blockbuster, revolutionizing the thriller/horror genre[1][5]. Set in the fictional town of Amity on the American East Coast, which heavily relies on tourism[6], the film tells the story of a young tourist, Christie Watkins, who was tragically killed by a giant white shark on the island's shore[1].
The film's most lasting impact may be the fear it instilled in countless people of swimming in the sea due to the unknown lurking beneath the surface[1][3]. Before the movie, sharks were relatively obscure in popular culture; afterward, the film created a lasting stereotype of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating predators[1][3]. This fear was so pervasive that beach attendance in the U.S. dropped by 28% the summer following the film’s release, and surveys have shown that many Americans still believe sharks pose a severe danger to humans due largely to the narrative established by the movie[1][3].
The film's success also inspired a spike in shark hunting driven by the fear it generated, a phenomenon that Spielberg later regretted as it harmed shark populations and contributed to misunderstandings about their ecological role[3][4]. In contrast, part of the legacy includes increased interest and eventual ocean conservation efforts, notably by Peter Benchley, the author of the original novel, and his family who shifted toward advocacy after seeing the effects of the movie’s reputation on sharks[3].
Local police chief Martin Brody closes Amity's beaches following the tragedy, but the mayor and town council resist due to the lucrative tourism business[2]. A trio consisting of Brody, a young marine biologist, and an experienced sailor embark on a hunt to kill the white shark before it strikes again[7].
In cinematic terms, "Jaws" set a standard for horror and thriller films by using suspense and the unseen threat to maximum effect, influencing countless future productions[4][5]. It remains a key cultural artifact reflecting how media can shape wildlife narratives and public fear.
On August 5th, 20XX, "Jaws" is returning to cinemas in over 260 cinemas across Germany[8], including open-air cinemas in cities like Essen, Leipzig, and Berlin[9]. The cinemas screening "Jaws" include smaller venues like "Kino im Kurtheater" on Norderney, "City Kino Buxtehude", "Filmpalast Bautzen", "Traumpalast Nürtingen", and "Cineplex Friedrichshafen" on Lake Constance[9]. The poster for "Jaws" features a shark head with an open mouth beneath a swimming woman[10].
"Jaws" is not just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that forever transformed both cinematic horror and public attitudes toward sharks, creating a legacy of fear that still shapes perceptions today, while also inadvertently sparking conservation awareness decades later[1][3][4].
[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jaws-film [2] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/characters/nm0000333/ [3] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2019/07/19/743311148/jaws-author-peter-benchley-dies-at-80-as-shark-hunting-rises [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/20/movies/jaws-50th-anniversary-shark-attacks.html [5] https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/19/jaws-50th-anniversary-how-the-film-changed-cinema [6] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/locations [7] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/plot [8] https://www.focus-online.de/kino/jaws-im-kino-der-klassiker-kehrt-zurueck-id21616477.html [9] https://www.focus-online.de/kino/jaws-im-kino-der-klassiker-kehrt-zurueck-id21616477.html [10] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/mediaviewer/rm3489740144
"The success of the film 'Jaws' revolutionized the 'entertainment' industry, setting a benchmark for horror and thriller movies that remains influential to this day."
"Emerging as a significant cultural symbol, 'Jaws' has had a lasting impact on public perception of 'movies-and-tv', with its portrayal of sharks creating enduring stereotypes and generating lasting fear among viewers."
