For those already feeling the weight of Christmas cheer before the day is even half over, a surprising cinematic escape awaits. The BBC is offering a stark contrast to festive fare with a Christmas Day showing of a true cinematic landmark: Steven Spielberg’sJaws.
Imagine trading twinkling lights and heartwarming tales for the chilling suspense of a great white shark terrorizing a coastal town. This isn’t a typical holiday selection, but it might be the perfect antidote to a season of saccharine sweetness – and it’s also available for streaming should you miss the initial broadcast.
Released in the summer of 1975,Jawsredefined the blockbuster experience. It wasn’t just a hit; it became a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences and igniting a nationwide fascination – and fear – of sharks. The film ultimately grossed nearly half a billion dollars, a staggering sum considering its modest $9 million budget.
The story, centered around a relentless man-eating shark, resonated deeply with audiences, even sparking a surge in sports fishing across America. It was a gripping, terrifying spectacle, a far cry from the cozy family films typically associated with Christmas.
Starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss,Jawsboasts an unforgettable score by John Williams and delivered iconic lines that remain etched in cinematic history – like the desperate plea, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
However, the film’s impact extended far beyond entertainment. It inadvertently demonized sharks in the public consciousness, fueling decades of fear and impacting the natural shark population. The sequel,Jaws 2, cleverly played on this very anxiety with its chilling tagline: “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”
Interestingly, a dedicated fanbase has embraced a quirky tradition known as “Jawsmas,” a playful merging of the film with Christmas festivities. Evidence of this can be found in the proliferation ofJaws-themed Christmas jumpers.
And the connection doesn’t end there. The third sequel,Jaws: The Revenge, unexpectedly opens with holiday celebrations before a shark attack shatters the festive mood, making it an unconventional, yet undeniable, Christmas film.
Despite its enduring legacy, critical reception has varied. While the originalJawsis widely hailed as a “cinematic masterpiece” with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes,Jaws: The Revengelanguishes with a dismal 2%.
Spielberg himself has expressed regret over the film’s unintended consequences, particularly the impact on shark populations. He recounted on a radio program his fear that sharks might harbor a grudge against him for inspiring a surge in shark hunting after the film’s release.
“I truly and to this day regret the decimation of the shark population because of the book and the film,” he admitted, a poignant reflection on the unforeseen repercussions of a groundbreaking cinematic achievement.
