Jaws at 50: From Adventure Story to Horror Story

How my response to Steven Spielberg’s killer shark classic evolved between childhood and adulthood

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat…” Credit: Universal

Warning: Contains spoilers

What else can be said about Steven Spielberg’s classic 1975 adaptation of Peter Benchley’s bestseller? Unless you’ve been living under a rock for five decades, you’ve not only seen Jaws countless times, but you’ll also be familiar with the notoriously difficult production history. You’ll know how it became a smash hit and, along with Star Wars (1977), essentially began Hollywood’s depressing dependence on huge summer blockbusters. Even if you’re one of the few who have never seen it, you’ve doubtless heard lines like “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”. John Williams’s shark theme, arguably the most famous two notes in cinema history, will immediately suggest aquatic menace to your ears. Why? Sheer cultural osmosis. As an influential landmark in cinema, Jaws is inescapable.

In celebrating the 50th anniversary, it can be tempting to regurgitate what everyone already knows about the film that launched Spielberg into the cinematic stratosphere. Instead, I’m taking a slightly more personal approach. What does Jaws mean to me, and why, as an adult, do I view it as a horror film rather than an adventure film?