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The impact of Jaws and how it influences the way movies are made and sold today is astronomical, from a marketing, artistic, cinematographic, and genre stand point. Spielberg’s desired effect certainly came to fruition, as he once told actress Susan Backlinie that "’when your scene is done, I want people under their seats on the floor with the popcorn and bubblegum’" (Telegraph Obituaries 2024). Spielberg wanted to shock and horrify audiences, and through a series of setbacks and careful decision making, was able to make a great movie that did exactly what it was intended to do. Even today, any first time viewer would likely have the same reaction of someone watching it upon release. The mechanics of the shark still look great, which is surprising because of the age of the film. The intensity and anxiety are still very much prevalent factors in a viewing, and this just emphasizes the legacy of this movie. The build up and time of release, movie poster and general promotion, score, cinematography, and impact on the film industry and horror as a genre has been solidified in history as a legendary success.

One of the biggest challenges on the set of Jaws was the technological aspect of creating and maintaining the star of the film… the shark! The design took multiple attempts and even when it was completed, there were constant issues with the shark’s ability to function and resist damage. While this seems like an obvious setback, this process actually aided to the film according to some, “forcing Spielberg to get creative with his cinematography” (Matthew Perrino Jaws: The Malfunctioning Shark Was the Best Thing for the Movie 2023). If this major setback had not happened, who knows how different the cinematography would be. We might have never gotten the iconic opening scene, which features the shark’s point of view. This sets such a frightening tone for the film, so it’s hard to imagine something else in its place! Additionally, some might argue that the limited views and full shots we get of the actual shark makes it quite a bit scarier. The limited access highlights the mystery of the sea, and leads to the most memorable jump scares.

Upon release, not everyone was entirely impressed by the film itself, but the impact this film had cannot be understated. According to a New York Times author following the release of Jaws, “If you think about “Jaws” for more than 45 seconds you will recognize it as nonsense, but it's the sort of nonsense that can be a good deal of fun if you like to have the wits scared out of you at irregular intervals” (Vincent Canby Screen: Entrapped by “Jaws” of Fear 1975). Jaws was released right at the beginning of the summer in June, which was a brilliant move on Spielberg’s part. Audience members would go into the theater unsure of what to expect, and come out terrified of the ocean right when it was peak season! As for artistic choices, the score would go down in history and is still referenced in popular media today. The opening scene from the shark’s point of view paired with the terrifying lone tuba is instantly recognizable and still sends shivers down spines. Within the first ten minutes, the first victim is claimed by the shark, which immediately puts in the audience in a state of unease that is rarely given reprieve throughout the entirety of the film. The set location added to the horror of the plot’s dilemma, as it is a picturesque town that oozes the American dream. The community is clearly tight knit and over the summer offers a seemingly perfect slice of paradise for people to enjoy. I’m sure if the film took place on a ship in the middle of the sea without first introducing the quaint island, the major problem would have been less shocking and dramatic.