‘Jaws’ 50th Anniversary Review – The Shark Is Not Broken, It’s Perfect

It has been 50 years since Jaws sank its teeth into audiences, leaving us with a primal fear of hearing John Williams’ iconic two-note score every time we go swimming. 2025 marks the golden anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s celebrated movie about three men in a boat versus a Great White Shark. Jaws without reservation birthed a new era in movie-making and marketing. The summer blockbusters exist all thanks to that little film about a fish. Even with the advancements in digital technology and the countless imitators, no shark film can tread water alongside Jaws. Yes, it was the first, but it was also about so much more than dorsal fins and red water. Jaws remains a triumph for its expert storytelling, engaging performances, and resourceful filmmaking.

Set on the island of Amity (in reality Martha’s Vineyard), Jaws first makes waves with a summer bonfire on the beach. A local girl, Chrissy (Susan Backline), goes swimming under the midnight sky, only to find herself in the path of a 25-foot Great White Shark. Despite being the first victim, the city fathers, notably the Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), want to keep a lid on the death. 

As a result, Chief of Police and newcomer to the island, Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), tows the party line. However, when another attack happens in public view, the shark is out of the bag. It becomes a clash between public safety and tourist dollars. As the shark wreaks havoc on the 4th of July, it is up to Brody, along with marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfus) and the ornery shark fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw), to kill the beast. The three men head out to sea for a battle not only amongst themselves, but against the jaws-ome power of Mother Nature. 

Jaws is a celebration of storytelling. Despite its premise as a shark movie, the filmmakers raise the stakes. A B-movie becomes an A-movie. Less investment in the monster and more in the characters—specifically, Brody, Hooper, and Quint. Part of why the film resonates is the rich characterization. The thoughtful chemistry between the actors, leading to iconic moments about the doomed sea vessel, the Orca. From Hooper’s charming arrogance to Quint’s storied history, the film injects tension and drama. Even without the flash of the dorsal fin, the movie hooks us from the start. 

The film could have been a mere monster movie and pure popcorn fodder. However, Spielberg and screenwriter Carl Gottlieb saw an opportunity to tell more than a movie about a shark. Jaws is a story about a community, as it is about fear and survival. Even the side and supporting characters (many were local Martha’s Vineyard islanders) add to the charm and color of the story. This gives us ample reason to care about the people, rather than marking time for the shark to rear its head. 

The production of the movie is legendary, from running over budget and schedule to off-screen tensions (Dreyfus and Shaw’s were the stuff of Hollywood legends), to the infamous breakdown of the mechanical marvel, affectionately named Bruce (after Spielberg’s lawyer at the time). Whereas today, a digital shark would no doubt be at the ready. Easier, yes, but detrimental to suspense and craftsmanship. Jaws and its crew utilized the mechanical breakdowns to innovate a creative and compelling way to tell the story. 

As a result, the shark seldom appears in full. Out of a two-hour film, we only see the shark for roughly two minutes. But the presence is felt from the moment the movie starts. The film’s success can be attributed to several factors. John Williams’ classic score has become synonymous with doom in its own right. Spielberg’s camerawork showcases the shark’s POV. The creative contributions from the actors, notably Scheider, ad-libbed the film’s seminal line. “You’re going to need a bigger boat.” The shark may have been broken, but the cast and crew were working overtime and over schedule to bring Peter Benchley’s best-selling book of oceanic terror to life. 

The film is an embrace of the underdog and heralds the idea of an everyman rising to the challenge. Brody is our protagonist. The man, seemingly over his head, becomes the proverbial last man standing in a classic man versus beast climax, as the shark proves its ingenuity against the shark expert and seasoned fisherman. 

The person responsible for public safety finds himself stymied and outwitted at every turn, either by elected incompetence or the wily wit of the shark. Add to the mix, he is afraid of water — the battle becomes a test of mettle and survival. Brody is us, the audience, put in an impossible situation. At first, he bows to the pressure of elected officials and town business leaders, leading him to see red — literally. It is only by accepting his responsibility and initial neglect that he rises to the challenge. Even afraid of drowning, Brody is ready to give his all for Amity Island. All brought together by a cathartic and explosive defeat of the shark. 

There is a moment of honest hilarity and dogged resolve. Whereafter it becomes apparent these men are tangling with no ordinary shark. Tempers go short, and tension feels tighter than a sheepshank knot. Determined to feel useful, Brody draws out his revolver and opens fire on the shark. The bullets graze the beast but do nothing to stop it—a reminder of Brody’s humanity in the face of a force greater than himself.

This all ties together in the film’s climactic showdown. Since Brody is neither a fisherman nor a marine biologist, he is left to his own devices. Wit and ingenuity. He matches the shark beat for beat. In the end, the finale is more than a cathartic explosion. It is a baptism of sorts. Brody, submerged in his greatest fear, bares all not only for survival but for the survival of his town. His willingness to stand amid a sinking ship as the proverbial last man standing makes his heroics that much more relatable and inspiring. In the end, euphoric blast is a celebration not of the monster’s defeat but of the simple resourcefulness of an everyman doing his very best.

Coming at a time when Watergate hung like a disgracing smoke cloud and institutional trust was at its nadir, Jaws arrived at the opportune moment—a story molded in the universal tradition of persistence in the face of adversity. Even though the force or the opposition is great and strong, in the end, good will always prevail, while sometimes, stimulated or even self-sabotage will always prevail over the dark forces lurking beneath.

Whether this is Spielberg’s finest hour is a worthy debate, but undebatable is the fact that this is the film that made a name synonymous with movie magic. Trial by fire showcased a brilliant and inventive mind, capable of crafting resonant stories that captured our imagination and warmed our hearts with childlike wonder.

There’s a reason no other shark film comes close to matching the greatness of Jaws, and it’s because the movie is so closely tied to sharks and is primarily responsible for sparking public fascination with them. The movie serves as a pivotal moment for our modern movie culture and business. It also heralds a bold achievement in filmmaking. Bruce looks real, even by contemporary standards, because we believe in the world and the characters. 

Whereas imitators sink, Jaws stays afloat because of its sincerity, its Hitchcockian terror, and pure movie magic. Even though we may hear William’s iconic score in our ears as we go for a swim, we still go back in the water. And each year we keep going back to Jaws for the fun, surprise, and wonder of it all. The shark may have broken down during the making of the film, but it continues to work and work well fifty years later.

Jaws is now playing in theaters courtesy of Universal Pictures to celebrate its 50th anniversary.