"A bomb is under the table and it explodes. That is surprise. The bomb is under the table but it does not explode. That is suspense." - Alfred Hitcock
When Steven Spielberg released Jaws in 1975, I don't think it realized what a success it would be. This suspense film about a rogue Great White shark storming the beaches of Amity Island was terrifying and memorable, instilling a sense of fear many at the time could hardly imagine. Since its release, many are still talking about this film, and it's caught so much attention that it's finally earned itself a Blu-ray release.
Despite being such a groundbreaking film, Jaws was riddled with problems during production. On top of being behind schedule and over budget, the cast and crew also had to deal with a malfunctioning shark prop named Bruce, which constantly stopped working during filming. The frequent delays allowed Spielberg to continuously refine the script and improvise some of his more troublesome scenes. As a result, the shark didn't make his debut until much further into the film than anticipated.
Oddly enough, these production problems paid off despite the shark's absence, creating a greater sense of unrest, similar to the way Hitchcock created suspense in his films. It's hard to imagine what Jaws would have been like had the shark made an early debut. Would the film have offered nearly as much suspense? It's hard to say, what we do know is that the film's eeriness, combined with the stellar cinematography and unforgettable score made Jaws a gripping sensation.
After several years, Universal has finally remastered Jaws as part of the studio's massive 100th Anniversary celebration. The hi-def 1080p transfer is something worth seeing for yourself thanks to its bright, sharp visuals I think many of us have been waiting long for. Of course, there are a few moments in the film worth nitpicking over, particularly some over-saturated scenes, but nothing so jarring that many will notice.
The audio transfer is equally compelling, primarily the 7.1 audio surround sound. The crisp audio and subtle nuances in sound prove this remastered version of Jaws to be one of the most respectable editions. While the film itself will probably win you over, the enhanced video and audio add that extra sense of wow.
There are plenty of special features to go around, with some better than others. The Blu-ray pack (which features a Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy of the film) comes with an exclusive documentary called The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of Jaws, which you simply can't miss (oddly enough it was ommited from the film's 30th Anniversary Edition). Unlike the 2-hour Making of Jaws documentary, this exclusive documentary features a far more intimate in-depth commentary with cast/crew and extensive behind-the-scenes footage without being drawn-out or boring. If you're an avid fan of the film or are interested in documentaries, this documentary alone is a must-have.
There's lots more to look forward to. This Blu-ray pack also features Jaws: The Restoration, an all-new in depth look into the process of restoring the film, deleted scenes and outtakes, an insiders's look on the set of Jaws, storyboards, production photos and more.
Jaws is a milestone in cinema, and continues to create that deep sense of unrest people flocked to when the film was first released. Despite the countless production difficulties, Jaws defied the odds and became a classic. There are several films deserving of a remaster, and this is certainly one of them. In fact this is, by far, the best presentation of Jaws ever released. If you haven't seen it, now's the time to.
If you're interested in checking out the Blu-Ray release for yourself you can find it at Future Shop!
SKU: M2198449
From the best-selling novel by Peter Benchley, Steven Spielberg directed this thrill ride of terror. During the height of beach season, the Massachusetts resort town of Amity Island is terrorized one summer by surprise attacks from a great white shark. Three unlikely partners team up to hunt down the rogue and destroy it: the new chief of police from New York (Roy Scheider), a young university-educated oceanographer (Richard Dreyfuss), and a crusty old-time fisherman (Robert Shaw). The film shoot was notoriously difficult for the young Spielberg, who had directed only one feature film before JAWS. The mechanical shark seldom operated correctly, and Spielberg was frequently forced to create the idea of terror without actually showing the shark. However, after the film premiered it went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time--surpassing THE GODFATHER and becoming the first film to gross more than a hundred million dollars. Composer John Williams created the score to JAWS, which has since become a well-known theme of impending doom. Ron and Valerie Taylor were responsible for filming live sharks in Australia; their sequences were later mixed with footage of the mechanical shark.
ErikaSzabo
- edited
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