Best Selling Book In The Country Jaws Essay Example
Best Selling Book In The Country Jaws Essay Example

Best Selling Book In The Country Jaws Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1640 words)
  • Published: September 12, 2017
  • Type: Film Analysis
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Jaws is a highly popular film that has gained immense recognition, being acclaimed as "the nation's best-selling book, now adapted into an thrilling thriller for the screen."

Steven Spielberg directed Jaws, a film that has been praised by some critics for revolutionizing cinema. Released on January 1, 1976 in the U.K., this movie is set on the Island of Amity during the summer of 1975. The story centers around a massive great white shark that begins causing fear and panic in the peaceful vacation spot of Amity.

Spielberg effectively uses various techniques to create a sense of terror surrounding the shark in the text. The collaboration of three individuals - police chief Brody, marine scientist Hooper, and seasoned fisherman Quint - aims to stop the terrifying shark's progress. The music serves as the most prominent tool in generating this fear. As the shark fir

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st appears in the opening scene, soft and gradual music begins playing, gradually intensifying in tempo and volume. The music becomes more abrupt and punctuated as the shark gets closer, highlighting its connection to the suspenseful soundtrack. Additionally, when the shark departs, so does the music.

On the 4th of July, two attacks are taking place. One attack is a fake shark attack while the other one is real. The initial fake attack deceives viewers by appearing real, but it lacks accompanying music to prove its authenticity. Conversely, the genuine shark attack is accompanied by the start of music. As the shark approaches, the music progressively intensifies, growing more rapid, thunderous, and energetic.

The silence following the attacks is reminiscent of the silence that typically follows all disasters. This silence contributes to the growing tension as

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it allows the viewer time to reflect on the horrifying events that have just occurred. The music serves as a clear indicator that the shark is present in the water, but Spielberg also employs camera angles to further frighten and alert the viewer. Point of view shots are utilized to help the viewer empathize with the characters, effectively enhancing the building tension.

From the shark's point of view, there is a suspenseful moment as it prepares to attack the boy with the lilo on July 4th. This creates unease and a desire to warn the character to escape from the shark, even though it is impossible for the viewer to do so. These emotions generate nervousness and anxiety. As the shark attacks, there is a sudden close-up of Brody, allowing the viewer to experience his emotions and understand what has happened to the boy through his eyes. Brody carries a sense of responsibility for the boy's death since he was aware of the shark's presence.

The incorporation of a point of view shot in a film grants the audience the ability to witness what the character perceives, effectively communicating the fear instilled by the director. This method presents an alternative viewpoint, allowing viewers to comprehend and undergo the movie from the character's perspective. Moreover, during instances of shark attacks, extensive shots are employed to accentuate the character's seclusion and absence of aid. In Quint's demise scene, Spielberg employs close-ups at first before gradually zooming out to reveal a long shot. This progression heightens anticipation in spectators by capturing characters' sentiments and facial expressions.

When viewers can empathize with a character, the blood and gore in a horror film

have the greatest impact. Extreme close-ups and close-up shots allow us to understand the characters' emotions, evoking sympathy. Conversely, long shots show the distance between the shark and characters, highlighting their isolation. The music and camera angles work together to build fear of the shark, but it is ultimately the shark itself that causes panic. Spielberg skillfully creates tension by alerting viewers to the shark's proximity and emphasizing its proximity through the use of music.

He demonstrates the potential harm that the shark can inflict by presenting various attacks. The initial attack occurs at the pier while two men are fishing, showcasing the escalating severity of the shark's assaults. It starts with the girl, who is alone at night and remains unknown to many. However, subsequent attacks become increasingly publicized, such as the one that transpires on the 4th of July. Another notable incident takes place in a pool with an elderly man, who is in close proximity to Chief Brody's son.

Next, the genuinely terrifying part unfolds as Brody, Hooper, and Quint, the three main characters, are out at sea in pursuit of the shark. Instead of one big attack, the shark keeps attacking repeatedly, causing a constant state of fretfulness. Just when one thinks it's safe to relax, here it comes again. The shark displays unexpected cleverness. Hooper attempts to kill it by going underwater, but the shark manages to destroy the anti-shark cage.

This leads to Hooper having to hide under water, and the shark subsequently attacking the boat, resulting in Quint's death. This is particularly unsettling for the viewer because they believe that if 'the confident Quint' perishes, then no one else stands a

chance of survival either. The reactions of the characters, especially Brody and his wife, have generated a tremendous level of fear towards the shark. When Brody's wife witnesses the shark attack a boat in a shark book, she immediately becomes concerned for the safety of her son aboard their own boat. This demonstrates the significant impact that the picture had on Brody's wife, causing her great distress.

The comments made by Quint/Hooper describing the shark as a "mean fighting machine who eats and makes little sharks" strike the viewer with horror and give the sense that there is no hope if the shark doesn't go away. Spielberg uses the plot as another device to add suspense and terrify the viewer. The true terror in the movie doesn't occur until the three main characters venture out onto the ocean to kill the monster shark. The story is crafted to gradually build up tension and fear.

In order to emphasize the severity of the shark's threat and create a sense of tension, Spielberg strategically arranges the first two attacks in close proximity. The third attack, which occurs on the 4th of July, a significant day symbolizing the opening of beaches and attracting a large number of people during peak holiday season, further adds to this tension. The presence of the shark, along with shocking sights such as a dead man and Brody's son in shock, instills fear in viewers. As the shark swims dangerously close to Brody's son, who is recognized as an important character, the sight of blood intensifies this feeling.

The audience is on edge, filled with suspense and fear, eagerly anticipating any indication

of harm coming to the character. The scene becomes even more chilling and horrifying with the presence of blood. The dead body serves as a constant reminder that the shark shows no mercy in its relentless pursuit of these individuals. Adding to the unease, a dismembered leg falls to the ocean floor, intensifying the sense of dread. The shark's attack on the boat takes place in darkness, where it showcases its intelligence and cunningness by dismantling an anti-shark cage and ultimately killing Quint. All these events contribute to heightening the suspense and tension experienced by viewers.

Quint's traditional approach and Hoper's contemporary science cannot match the shark's strength. When Brody attempts to eradicate the shark but fails to detonate the air tank, it intensifies the suspense as the viewer becomes concerned for Brody's life. Nonetheless, when the shark eventually perishes, the viewer experiences a slight relief, yet remains slightly apprehensive, fearing the shark's possible return due to its cunning nature. Spielberg, an exceptionally skilled director, employs various techniques to instill terror in viewers. These include the use of music, the storyline, action sequences, well-timed attacks, and character involvement. Music is utilized to create a sense of impending danger, urging viewers to warn the characters to escape.

The plot is terrifying as the three main characters embark on a perilous adventure in a small boat to capture a massive great white monster shark. Hooper, a shark expert, and Quint, a rugged shark fisherman, have a hostile relationship. Brody, the chief of police, is afraid of water. Spielberg also employs action sequences to demonstrate the destructive capabilities of the shark, ensuring the audience perceives its danger and the gravity

of the situation. The timing of the attacks is hair-raising, as one harrowing incident follows another without respite. This fosters unease, keeping the viewer frightened throughout the entire film and allowing Spielberg to achieve his desired impact. The inclusion of characters is another technique utilized to build suspense.

The mayor's refusal to close the beaches results in an attack on the boy, and Brody believes he should have insisted on their closure, feeling responsible for the boy's death. This lack of seriousness from some characters highlights Spielberg's skill in utilizing all aspects of the film to instill fear of the shark.

I personally believe the most morbid moment occurred when Hooper and Brody utilized the assistance of the floating barrels to return to Amity Island. Quint had perished, leaving them isolated in the vast sea. I feared another shark would emerge and attack them, despite the current one being deceased. My unease stemmed from the absence of any other individuals in the vicinity, which was emphasized through a long shot.

However, upon their return, I felt a sense of relief. The reason why I enjoyed this film is because it went beyond just violence and horror. Instead, it captivated the audience with its gripping suspense and fear-inducing moments. In my perspective, it was a film that sent shivers down the spine and made the hair stand on end.

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