This article is a look back at Jaws 20 years after it revolutionized the industry. While the film was very important at the time for its media attention, the concepts that went into Jaws would be long lasting. Jaws became the first blockbuster as a result of the advertising campaign and all the hype leading up to its premiere. By drawing so much attention to the film, the risk of the film would be minimized, while it could have major potential for drawing in huge crowds. According to the article, another key element that went into the popularity of Spielberg’s Jaws was the simple plot concept. Spielberg was reported as saying, "If a person can tell me the idea in 25 words or less, it's going to make a pretty good movie." The story of Jaws is simple and straightforward, and as Pevere points out, the final one third or so of the film is simply three men on a boat, attempting to kill a shark- as basic as it comes. This idea, mixed in with impressive technology and the occasional comedic relief works to make Jaws the first Hollywood blockbuster. As opposed to other articles on Jaws, this piece fails to mention the power of Spielberg’s images and the effects they had on viewers, perhaps a source of the films success. Instead the article focuses on the power of this recipe for a profitable film that Spielberg seems to have created with Jaws and will continue to reuse in future box office hits such as Jurassic Park. This article is unique because it is exploring Jaws more as a machine and not as an individual work of art. While it was greatly successful, Pevere breaks it down to its core and finds it to be simplistic. According to him, the simplicity, the media attention, and the technology worked together in order to draw in huge crowds and this concept is reproducible. Contrary to many other pieces, this article doesn’t find the attraction to sharks as a cause for the film’s popularity. Many other articles discuss the fear audiences felt so that it impacted them in their own lives while this one looks at it from the other side, explaining that perhaps the reaction came about for other reasons.

    This article is a look back at Jaws 20 years after it revolutionized the industry.  While the film was very important at the time for its media attention, the concepts that went into Jaws would be long lasting.  Jaws became the first blockbuster as a result of the advertising campaign and all the hype leading up to its premiere.  By drawing so much attention to the film, the risk of the film would be minimized, while it could have major potential for drawing in huge crowds.  According to the article, another key element that went into the popularity of Spielberg’s Jaws was the simple plot concept.  Spielberg was reported as saying, "If a person can tell me the idea in 25 words or less, it's going to make a pretty good movie."  The story of Jaws is simple and straightforward, and as Pevere points out, the final one third or so of the film is simply three men on a boat, attempting to kill a shark- as basic as it comes.  This idea, mixed in with impressive technology and the occasional comedic relief works to make Jaws the first Hollywood blockbuster.  As opposed to other articles on Jaws, this piece fails to mention the power of Spielberg’s images and the effects they had on viewers, perhaps a source of the films success.  Instead the article focuses on the power of this recipe for a profitable film that Spielberg seems to have created with Jaws and will continue to reuse in future box office hits such as Jurassic Park.  This article is unique because it is exploring Jaws more as a machine and not as an individual work of art.  While it was greatly successful, Pevere breaks it down to its core and finds it to be simplistic.  According to him, the simplicity, the media attention, and the technology worked together in order to draw in huge crowds and this concept is reproducible.  Contrary to many other pieces, this article doesn’t find the attraction to sharks as a cause for the film’s popularity.  Many other articles discuss the fear audiences felt so that it impacted them in their own lives while this one looks at it from the other side, explaining that perhaps the reaction came about for other reasons.

This is an interesting article about Peter Benchley, the author of the novel Jaws.  The film was based on the novel, and so realistically portrayed shark attacks that certain species of sharks are now endangered.  Because of the film, there has been a so-called Jaws effect, in which certain species may not be reproducing fast enough to survive because of the backlash against sharks.  While the issue is of little significance to the director, the author felt terrible about what he started.  Before his death, Benchley said, “Back then when I wrote Jaws, we thought that once a Great White scented blood, it launched a feeding frenzy that inevitably led to death.”  According to the article, future research has shown that this is not the case, and sharks attack humans because they mistaken them for predators.  Even so, they often times realize their mistake after the first bite, and this is why three quarters of shark attack victims survive.  It is important to note that even with all of the publicity shark attacks receive, they have killed merely 74 humans in the past 100 years, proving they are far from a major threat.  All the hype that was created by Spielberg’s interpretation of Benchley’s novel speaks wonders of the film’s power.  This non-issue has become so prevalent because of the way Spielberg was able to draw fear and paranoia into the audience.  If the film wasn’t so moving, perhaps individuals wouldn’t be so scared of sharks and the fascination with the creature wouldn’t be as significant.

This is an interesting article taking an in-depth look at the history of the shark and its role in society.  Miller claims, “Every seaside civilization in human history has somehow incorporated the shark into its culture.”  Starting out as respected gods, with centuries they came to be known as schurks in German, which translates to villain and is likely where the English name comes from.  Sharks have always been fascinating to humans, as their great power has been mind-blowing.  When a captain brought a dead shark back to London in the 16th century, the general public was amazed.  Although shark attacks were rarities, in 1916 the United States experienced quite a few and they became the talk of the summer, leading Woodrow Wilson to declare a “war on sharks.”  The article points out that humans always seem to make entertainment out of tragedy when it comes to sharks, as was the case in the summer 1916 as well as the summer of 2001, when shark attacks were constantly in the media.  This reaction to real shark attacks is very similar to that of Jaws.  For whatever reason, shark attacks have been very appealing to humans, and we get entertainment out of them no matter how terrifying they appear.  This idea seems very odd, as intuition would make us think that when individuals can hardly look on that the movie won’t be successful or it will only interest a certain audience.  Jaws, however, was considered a family movie and had a PG rating, looking to attract all age groups and all kinds of people.  This article implies that Jaws was able to reach out to all these groups of people and be so successful because of the human interest in sharks which has been prevalent for hundreds of years.  As much as it pains us to watch these horrible attacks, there is something profound about these creatures that still makes us want more.

This article discusses the relationship between Jaws and the growing phenomenon known as selachophobia. Virtually non-existent prior to the films release, selachophobia is a phobia in which individuals are scared for their lives every time they step foot in the ocean. In some instances, individuals are so irrational about their fears that they cannot even go into a harmless bathtub without thinking they will be eaten. Although the idea of shark attacks had been prevalent since 725 B.C., Jaws put these ideas out there for millions to see in a seemingly realistic setting. Previously it had seemed a myth, however the shark Spielberg created was the size of a true great white that really did roam the water. The reality of the situation is brought to its height in Quint’s dramatic portrayal of his experience on the U.S.S. Indianapolis, a real ship wreck that lost hundreds at sea, many the result of shark attacks. All of a sudden shark attacks didn’t seem so far fetched-they were undeniably all over the ocean and a real life example had been provided. These aspects, blended with the brilliant suspense and terror scenes in the film worked to greatly heighten the fear of sharks. Many of us have an extremely mild case of selachophobia, in which we think about the possibility of sharks when we step in the ocean, however we can overcome this fear. For some though, this fear hit closer to home and had a more profound impact on their decision-making after seeing the film. According to the source, this fear not only would keep individuals out of the water, however it also would be a leading cause of the backlash against sharks. These individuals sough revenge against sharks, which would be evident in the decline in many species of sharks and the potential extinction of certain types.

    This article tackles the pros and cons of Jaws from a nature standpoint.  Although the film led to an increase in shark killings, this article is quick to point out that the increased attention in sharks was also beneficial. “After the film's release, interest in sharks skyrocketed, resulting in increased funding for shark research.”  With increased funding came increased knowledge, and scientists were able to learn more about sharks than ever before.  As a result, we are beginning to learn more about the relationship between sharks and humans, and are beginning to understand that shark attacks often come as a result of sharks falsely thinking that humans are a predator.  The article draws a clear distinction between educated scientists and common movie-goers.  Even though the results continue to provide more conclusions that sharks aren’t out to get humans, the average person still views sharks as extremely dangerous. According to the article, “The reputation remains entrenched in the public psyche 30 years after the movie's release.”  While scientists are using the benefits of Jaws to get more in-depth knowledge, the average person isn’t putting this information to its full use.  Many people still suffer from a fear of sharks, while they really shouldn’t be so scared.  It speaks wonders of Jaws that 30 years later it can still be so persuasive that it to a large extent overrides the research of scientists.  This truly shows the power of Jaws and how it was able  to adamantly convince beach-dwellers that they shouldn’t feel safe when they step foot in the ocean.

This is an informative piece written by a conservationist who has spent his life researching sharks as a result of Jaws.  The article effectively addresses both the positives and negatives that came from the film.  While the author is clearly biased as a conservationist, he raises many interesting points.  For starters he notes the huge increase in brutality against sharks that stemmed most certainly from the movie.  The movie regarded great white sharks as “sea-going homicidal maniacs lurking just out of sight off your local beach, ready to shred your very own personal body into strips of bloody flesh or to simply gobble you whole.”  Because of the film’s power in portraying this idea, many vigilantes made it their own mission to get revenge.  In this sense, Spielberg’s portrayal of sharks was disastrous for the shark population.  The author claims, “JAWS has been strongly condemned as the impetus for the shark slaughtering obscenities of the past and the disconcerting scarcity of White Sharks in the present.”  This is not supported with data, however, many would agree with these claims as Jaws brought sharks into the spotlight.  With that being said, the article still concludes with a pro-Jaws stance, claiming that shark research has taken great strides since 1975 mostly as the result of Jaws.  By drawing so much attention to sharks, many wanted to learn more.  As a result, individuals such as the author took up learning about sharks as their lifetime goal.  The increased attention and funding would lead to a much greater understanding of sharks, in which scientists have been able to discover that sharks aren’t out to harm humans.  So although the immediate consequences were harmful to many species of sharks, years later the film has helped us to better understand sharks and learn that we shouldn’t be so scared.

This is an in-depth look at horror and science fiction films involving a monster.  The article doesn’t focus on Jaws, however it gives an interesting interpretation about many ideas prevalent in Jaws and how they appeal.  Carrol says, “the horror and science fiction film poignantly expresses the sense of powerlessness and anxiety that correlates with times of depression, recession, Cold War strife, galloping inflation, and national confusion.”  The nemesis in Jaws is an uncontrollable creature, something out of the public’s hands.  The author rationalizes that these unmanageable situations were telling of the current situation of the country in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.  The helplessness that individuals were going through could be seen on-screen and as a result people were drawn to this.  Carrol refers to films such as Jaws as nightmares, something that one has no control over, yet is forced to watch.  He is providing a bleak interpretation of this time period, however this is his rationale for why a film such as Jaws was so successful during this time.  This can be interpreted to mean that people feared the current state of their country, for any number of reasons including the Watergate scandal, the oil problems, or the Cold War.  All of these situations were out of the publics control, similar to the way the audience had no way of controlling what would come next.  In this sense, the monstrous character in Jaws was very realistic, and as a result people took it so literally.  Perhaps this would be the reason so much action was taken against sharks going forward and the film was so moving to the general public. 

    This review is a very well written piece that does a great job breaking down the aspects that make Jaws the masterpiece that it is, but also pointing out its flaws.  This article is worth noting because it explains how Jaws left such a shock on viewers and why it was so powerful even after audiences left the theater.  There are many horror films in many genres that haven’t had nearly the same impact as Jaws and this article provides a possible explanation.  Nesbit attributes the films success to the way Spielberg was able to set up scenes and master the art of suspense. It wasn’t only the gruesome images that had a lasting impact on the viewers, but also the element of surprise and not knowing exactly when the dreadful images would come.  This is a very important aspect to Jaws that made the film so influential.  Everyone knew at some point there would be bloodshed, yet the road there wasn’t so simple.  Spielberg used the prevalent theme song to build up the threat of violence, however its portentous tune didn’t necessarily mean something bad was immediately coming.  It was his way of putting the audience on the edge of their seats.  Numerous times he would intentionally mislead the audience, hyping them up for extreme violence, only to be children scuba diving or adults horsing around.  This technique added another dimension to the film, and added to its overall power.  If the film relied solely on freaking out the audience with shark attacks there’s no way its impact would have been felt the same way that it was.  As Nesbit points out, “Spielberg doesn't serve up mass quantities of blood and gore. He knows it's the anticipation of horror that brings suspense; there are relatively few killings.”  This technique works to make the ocean seem so gripping; every time it is shown there is the potential for something terrible to happen, yet it is unlikely.  Perhaps this is the lasting image that led to such an increase in the fear of sharks, as people could relate to shark attacks likely not occurring, however there would always be that mystical possibility.

This Washington Post piece by Manny Fernandez describes the “bedlam” that took place after the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws.  This article is an interesting look at the effects of Jaws on the summer of 1975, both on and off screen.  The film dominated the summer, as people of all ages were anxious to see the vicious shark and often times were willing to buy tickets way above face value.  Not often can a ticket normally sold for $2.50 at the box office be worth $8 outside the theater, however this demonstrated the enormous demand to see the first big Summer Movie.  Douglas Gomery called the phenomenon “shark mania,” where people were obsessed with the movie and couldn’t help but to enjoy the fear that Jaws was instilling in them.  The film’s horror had lasting effects, as “people wouldn’t go out much deeper than waist-deep” into the ocean after seeing the film.  Even though shark attacks have always been uncommon, Spielberg’s film was jaw dropping to viewers and certainly gave them something to think about. The mechanical shark devised by Spielberg generated quite a bit of excitement among movie-goers as sharks were being put in a new light that would be difficult to forget for the remainder of the summer months. It is very interesting the role Jaws played in causing fear among beach dwellers, as shark attacks have always been unlikely.  People were drawn into Jaws for its appeal and enjoyed being frightened on-screen, however it is clear that when the audience saw Jaws there was something deeper that was drawing them in, as evident by the incredible viewers responses.

Jaws became a Hollywood hit immediately upon its release in 1975. There are many reasons for its stunning success, one of the most important being the fear it instilled in audiences. It worked so well because of the power director Steven Spielberg had over audiences to keep them constantly scared of the shark images that would come next. This power worked not only to make Jaws so popular at the time, but also to have long term effects. The following articles touch on how Spielberg worked to make the film so effective as well as the films impact long after viewers saw Jaws, with a focus on the perception of sharks.

This 1975 article, entitled “Jawsmania,” explains the effects of Jaws’ success throughout the United States.  Aside from the obvious benefits for Universal Studios, which included a line of spin-off products, there was also an important impact on beach communities.  Following its’ release, there was an immediate increase in the number of shark sightings, as everybody seemed to be more on the lookout for sharks.  When a 14 year old girl was attacked by a sea animal, many assumed it was a shark, however the police chief claimed it likely could have been a bluefish.  In Georgia, swimmers killed a sea creature when they saw its dark form underneath the surface- it turned out to be a baby whale.  Because this article is written in the summer of the film’s release, it is very effective in illustrating the power the film had on its viewers.  The article also details the theater going experience, as Jaws was so powerful that it made individuals faint and others leave the theater every time a shark came on the screen.  Spielberg’s scenes worked so that no matter what kind of water real swimmers would later swim in, they would be thinking of Jaws.  Shark-free beaches would now have swimmers trembling, and one man even commented that, “My wife won’t even go into the goddam swimming pool anymore.”  Accounts such as these show the truly stimulating effects Jaws had on its many viewers. Obviously Jaws was too a large degree responsible for all the commotion surrounding sharks that would follow, however Newsweek hints at the idea that it was Spielberg’s power in manipulating the audiences that really accomplished this.  Most shark movies wouldn’t have the impact Jaws had, however the way Spielberg put the film together made it have the lasting impact.  One crucial aspect of this power came from the fact that it wasn’t only gory images that would shock the audience.  Instead, Spielberg constantly used the element of surprise and anticipation to confuse the audience and not allow them to feel comfortable anytime the ocean was being shown.