Viewed – 06 September 2008  DVD

30th Anniversary Edition

This was the original summer blockbuster.  Remember, Star Wars didn’t come out until 1977, and this 32 year old classic still packs a helluva punch, even in todays effects-filled era.

Based on the pulp novel by Peter Benchley, this follows the story of Police Chief ’Brody’ (the brilliant Roy Scheider), who after a girl is killed during a night time skinny-dip by what seems to be a shark, is understandibly concerned about the tourist season looming on the horizon.  Then after a young boy is killed in broad day light, it’s time to call in the big guns, and although a selfish, money hungry mayor refuses to close the beach, the help of marine specialist and a world-weary shark-hunter, gives Brody the chance to save the day.

This is nail-biting, classic cinema at its best, and with Scheider as the everyman Police Chief whose also afraid of the water (!), the audiance have a real three dimensional hero to relate to.  Richard Dreyfuss is excellent as the by the book shark expert at logger heads with Robert Shaw’s scene-stealing old sea-dog, and together thay make for a likable and especially believable trio.  Of course praise must be go to Stephen Spielberg, this being his first hit movie after the straight-to-television Duel, and his expert direction never misses a beat, with brilliant camera work, some good choices of tension-breaking humour and a great eye for jump out of your seat scares.  Add to this John William’s unforgettable score (dur der, dur der, dur der…) and hell, even if towards the end some may think the shark looks fake (I didn’t) – this is superb entertainment…now or 32 years ago.

The DVD houses a stunning 2hr documentary as well as trailers, featurettes, story boards, interviews and galleries – so any fan should be more than pleased.  The film is presented beautifully and sounds gutsy throughout – so really, there’s nothing to fault.  Just watch this classic again at your earliest convenience.

Verdict:  5 /5