This was an incredible time to be a kid and go to the movies. The last generation before video and video games messed up the movie going experience. Movies were a true communal experience because it was the only way you could see a movie, maybe three or four times and then on a rerelease. Now everyone has ADD. You learned patience and had fun recreating your favorite scenes with your friends in your backyard. Not sitting in front of your tv on your ass with a remote and a game.
These phenomena rarely happen today. The Godfather created an interest and a fascination with the mafia. The same with The Exorcist, Star Wars, Close Encounters, Superman, and of course Jaws. They each generated an obsession by the audience with their subject matter.
One question I have is there were no interest in sharks before “Jaws”? Another would of all the movies to start the “blockbuster” era, why did have to take movie like this...and after that we had “Star Wars” and then “Indiana Jones” series and the horror slashers, “Aliens” etc in the 80s and 90s. was the movie audience just asleep before “Jaws”? It’s like nothing was happening before then and we had great movies before 1975. Why all of a sudden movies became popular as if it was never popular before 1975. You think it had anything to do with the culture and just what was going on at that particular time? The only movie that I can think of that came out before 1975 that could’ve been labeled a blockbuster was Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 1968. But somehow that didn’t reach the level as “Jaws” and “Star Wars”. Something happened in the mid 70s.
@@jlero2568 I know, I was only 7 then, but I remember family talking about it and seeing the movie trailers on tv... even those were scary. Also, the vids on YT
Quite simply Jaws hit a primal fear. As the woman in the video explained it crossed all barriers. But not only that, it was also extremely well made by Spielberg and everyone that worked on the movie to make it as real and believable as possible. Notable contributors are the three main principles who were fantastic, John Williams unforgettable music and Verna Fields expert editing. To be honest, no movie up to that point was as exciting or as well made as Jaws. And to prove it, it has stood the test of time. Then throw in the buzz around the book and an all new marketing statagey from Universal Pictures and you have the first summer Blockbuster and the template of all your summer Blockbusters to come. There has been some speculation that the themes in Jaws also hit a subconscious in the United States linked to the Vietnam war ending - stalked by the unknown then being killed by an unseen enemy - and watergate with the Mayor covering up the shark attacks for political reasons as to why it was so successful. But this doesn't account for the success overseas. There is also the cynical view that it ushered in the era of the 'movie brats', spielberg, lucas, De palma, and their movies appealed to a more immature demographic. One that would return again and again to watch their 'shallow' movies. But personally I think this is undermining the success of Jaws purely because it was such a huge success to a relatively unknown, young movie wizkid who changed the face of Hollywood over night. There had been really successful movies before Jaws - Psycho, The Exorcist, The Godfather (was the highest grossing movie of all time until Jaws) etc and the big franchise movies around the 1960s and 70s were James Bond and Planet Of The Apes that always done well at the box office, but nothing on the scale of Jaws. Horror was also seen as B Movie material, and most was up until The Exorcist, that movie showed that horror could be taken serious and like Jaws did hit a nerve with the movie going public. Jaws again, even though I personally don't consider it a horror, took the concept of what many consider B movie material and Spielberg made it an A movie. Jaws was not a big budget movie, nor did anyone expect the success it had.
0:55 this guy probably got eaten by a shark.
Watching Jaws made me have a deep respect for all sharks
Jaws 4 made me respect any shark quicker than a plane and can roar like a lion.
This was an incredible time to be a kid and go to the movies. The last generation before video and video games messed up the movie going experience. Movies were a true communal experience because it was the only way you could see a movie, maybe three or four times and then on a rerelease. Now everyone has ADD. You learned patience and had fun recreating your favorite scenes with your friends in your backyard. Not sitting in front of your tv on your ass with a remote and a game.
I agree. Watching Jaws on a big screen is NOT the same as watching it on Blu-ray or DVD.
Wow like how the reporters so blunt about making money xDD
"I first heard the legend when they came in from our supplier..." LOL
Iconic!!
Anti-shark bracelet 😂
These phenomena rarely happen today. The Godfather created an interest and a fascination with the mafia. The same with The Exorcist, Star Wars, Close Encounters, Superman, and of course Jaws. They each generated an obsession by the audience with their subject matter.
“If you’re attacked by a shark, you can bring it back for a refund.” Boy we were dumb in the 70’s.
Sadly we still are and more than ever.
NBC…
Universal…
One question I have is there were no interest in sharks before “Jaws”? Another would of all the movies to start the “blockbuster” era, why did have to take movie like this...and after that we had “Star Wars” and then “Indiana Jones” series and the horror slashers, “Aliens” etc in the 80s and 90s. was the movie audience just asleep before “Jaws”? It’s like nothing was happening before then and we had great movies before 1975. Why all of a sudden movies became popular as if it was never popular before 1975. You think it had anything to do with the culture and just what was going on at that particular time? The only movie that I can think of that came out before 1975 that could’ve been labeled a blockbuster was Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 1968. But somehow that didn’t reach the level as “Jaws” and “Star Wars”. Something happened in the mid 70s.
A very good point. Here's an article helping to describe this. filmschoolrejects.com/summer-blockbuster-origins/
Has nothing to do with the audience. If Jaws came out in 1955, it would have been a blockbuster. No movie prior to jaws had as much mass appeal.
@@jlero2568 The Exorcist yes, but The Shining wasn't released until 1980.
@@jlero2568 I know, I was only 7 then, but I remember family talking about it and seeing the movie trailers on tv... even those were scary. Also, the vids on YT
Quite simply Jaws hit a primal fear. As the woman in the video explained it crossed all barriers. But not only that, it was also extremely well made by Spielberg and everyone that worked on the movie to make it as real and believable as possible. Notable contributors are the three main principles who were fantastic, John Williams unforgettable music and Verna Fields expert editing. To be honest, no movie up to that point was as exciting or as well made as Jaws. And to prove it, it has stood the test of time. Then throw in the buzz around the book and an all new marketing statagey from Universal Pictures and you have the first summer Blockbuster and the template of all your summer Blockbusters to come.
There has been some speculation that the themes in Jaws also hit a subconscious in the United States linked to the Vietnam war ending - stalked by the unknown then being killed by an unseen enemy - and watergate with the Mayor covering up the shark attacks for political reasons as to why it was so successful. But this doesn't account for the success overseas. There is also the cynical view that it ushered in the era of the 'movie brats', spielberg, lucas, De palma, and their movies appealed to a more immature demographic. One that would return again and again to watch their 'shallow' movies. But personally I think this is undermining the success of Jaws purely because it was such a huge success to a relatively unknown, young movie wizkid who changed the face of Hollywood over night.
There had been really successful movies before Jaws - Psycho, The Exorcist, The Godfather (was the highest grossing movie of all time until Jaws) etc and the big franchise movies around the 1960s and 70s were James Bond and Planet Of The Apes that always done well at the box office, but nothing on the scale of Jaws. Horror was also seen as B Movie material, and most was up until The Exorcist, that movie showed that horror could be taken serious and like Jaws did hit a nerve with the movie going public. Jaws again, even though I personally don't consider it a horror, took the concept of what many consider B movie material and Spielberg made it an A movie. Jaws was not a big budget movie, nor did anyone expect the success it had.
The book is utter tripe
Like those earrings