Jaws: The revenge analysis (1975)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: 1 January 1975
(UK)Genre: Horror/Thriller
Awards: Won 3 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 13 nominations
Certification: PG (UK video rating)
Company: Zanuck/ Brown productions

Jaws was a horror film released in 1975 based on a novel written by Peter Benchley.

Cast -
Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody
Robert Shaw as Quint
Richard Dreyfuss as Matt Hooper
Lorraine Gary as Ellen Brody
Murray Hamilton as Mayor Larry Vaughn
Carl Gottlieb as Ben Meadows
Jeffrey C. Kramer as Deputy Leonard "Lenny/Len" Hendricks
Susan Backlinie as Chrissie Watkins

I choose to analysis Jaws due to the fact that it is a very popular horror movie during its time period therefore when analyzing it I will have the ability to see what is used in order to make it such a success.

Mood and atmosphere is created as soon as the opening credits begin. The music has an irregualr pulse which builds up tension and mystery in order to keep the audience on edge. The dynamics at the beginning of the credits create strong emotion which is done to keep the momentum of the audience. Discords are also used throughout convey the unexpecting storyline. As a result of all of these effects the audience is drawn into the film and their senses are high. When making my opening sequence i must take into consideration the effect that the music has on the audience and how that is created.

Following on from this the camera which is underwater at this time, with a hand held effect, rises and the title of the film ‘Jaws The revenge’ appears on screen. The title is in red bolded writing, as a result this passionate red is code for blood and it glides across the top of the water as if the camera is of the point of view of a shark chasing the blood. This is purposely done to reinforce the tension within the audience. When doing our opening sequence it is essential that we think about each camera angle and make sure that it has the correct desired effect on the audience.

After this happens the title disappears suddenly and a voice is heard. This voice is very deep and has a calming tone, this calming tone is unsettling for the viewer due to the fact that it collides with the mood of the rest of the opening sequence. As a result they are confused and this keeps them interested as they want to find out more.

The camera continues to pan across the unsteady water to reveal a darkened wooden bridge over the water in which the focus is kept on this bridge. The camera continues to focus on the bridge but lowers until under the water and then rises again, reinforcing the fact that it is as if we are the shark watching the bridge seeing what is happening.

The voice then disappears and once again we hear the menacing soundtrack as the camera switches view onto boats and we begin to get closer as the music gets louder. The use of music is extremely effective during the opening sequence and a variety of pitches and volumes are used to fade and introduce the music, when making our opening sequence we must focus greatly on the use of music and sound effects not only at the beginning but throughout as it does have a dramatic effect on our audience.

This opening sequence, similar to other horror films has kept the colour sceme dark, as a result this strengthens the tension and mystery kepping the viewer fixated on what is happening or going to happen.