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Weekend film recommendation courtesy of Chrischi

Two prominent careers in Hollywood experienced significant growth in 1986, largely attributed to one of the decade's most impactful movies.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 19 . 4:31 PM

2 min read

Weekend Movie Recommendation from Chrischi

Weekend film recommendation courtesy of Chrischi

In the mid-1970s, a film that would forever change the landscape of cinema was unleashed upon the world. "Jaws," directed by the talented Steven Spielberg, became the first blockbuster in film history.

The film was a faithful adaptation of Peter Benchley's novel, telling the chilling tale of a man-eating shark terrorising the beach town of Amity on Long Island. The film's protagonist, police chief Martin Brody, was played by Roy Scheider, with Richard Dreyfuss portraying the oceanographer Matt Hooper. Robert Shaw took on the role of Quint, a local shark hunter.

"Jaws" was acquired by producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown for a mere $175,000. Fresh from the success of "Duel," Spielberg was hired to direct the film. Despite initial production challenges, such as frequent shark model malfunctions, Spielberg used creative tricks in editing to give the impression of more shark appearances.

The film's release in 1975 caused a wave of fear and emptied beaches across the country. The film's soundtrack, composed by John Williams, added to the suspense, with its minimalistic score becoming a classic earworm. The film's soundtrack even won an Oscar, and Spielberg has since collaborated with Williams on numerous projects.

The film was a worldwide phenomenon, grossing a staggering $260 million in the US alone and over $470 million worldwide. Another fatality occurs when the boy Alex Kintner is torn to pieces in front of beachgoers, including his mother. The level-headed police chief, Brody, decides to close the beaches, but faces opposition from the mayor of Amity, Larry Vaughn.

Despite the film's dark themes, it has maintained a FSK-16 rating and has aired uncut on TV as late as 20:15. Today, "Jaws" can be streamed on various platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, and MagentaTV, but with a less-than-ideal new dub. The theatrical cut of "Jaws" can be found as a bonus feature on Blu-ray.

The characters of Brody, Hooper, and Quint have become iconic, with their dynamic adding depth to the film's suspenseful narrative. The film's enduring popularity is a testament to Spielberg's masterful storytelling and the timeless fear of the unknown lurking beneath the waves.