Search - Jaws [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1975 DVD Release: 07/11/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 5 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Adventure, Thriller, Sea Adventure, Creature Film, Natural Horror See Also: Jaws [Widescreen], Jaws [Fullscreen], Jaws [Fullscreen] [30th Anniversary Edition], Jaws [Widescreen] [30th Anniversary Edition], Jaws [Widescreen] [Anniversary Edition], Jaws [Fullscreen] [Anniversary Edition]

Based on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel, Steven Spielberg's 1975 shark saga set the standard for the New Hollywood popcorn blockbuster while frightening millions of moviegoers out of the water. One early summer night on fictional Atlantic resort Amity Island, Chrissie decides to take a moonlight skinny dip while her friends party on the beach. Yanked suddenly below the ocean surface, she never returns. When pieces of her wash ashore, Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) suspects the worst, but Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), mindful of the lucrative tourist trade and the approaching July 4th holiday, refuses to put the island on a business-killing shark alert. After the shark dines on a few more victims, the Mayor orders the local fishermen to catch the culprit. Satisfied with the shark they find, the greedy Mayor reopens the beaches, despite the warning from visiting ichthyologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) that the attacks were probably caused by a far more formidable Great White. One more fatality later, Brody and Hooper join forces with flinty old salt Quint (Robert Shaw), the only local fisherman willing to take on a Great White--especially since the price is right. The three ride off on Quint's boat "The Orca," soon coming face to teeth with the enemy. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

Roy Scheider - Chief Martin Brody
Robert Shaw - Quint
Richard Dreyfuss - Matt Hooper
Lorraine Gary - Ellen Brody
Murray Hamilton - Mayor Larry Vaughn

The 25th anniversary edition of Jaws presented on DVD contains superior picture quality. To accompany the film, a variety of extras have been added. The "making of" documentary traces the film's progress from pre- to post-production and involves interviews with many of the key figures, including Steven Spielberg. They discuss the difficulties encountered with the primitive special effects available at the time, as well as the arduous task of getting realistic footage. Some time is also given to the composer John Williams, quite rightly given his substantial contribution to the film's success. Another treat is the inclusion of some deleted scenes and outtakes, which are amusing because the tricks to make the audience believe that they are seeing a real shark are ridiculously simple. But the most comprehensive and thorough extra on this DVD involves a vast array of storyboards and stills. It is delightful to receive small insights into the "behind the scenes" world of such a classic film. Stills concerning the marketing of the film are just as comprehensive. A wide variety of books, games, and toys are shown. The package as a whole is interesting; however, it is the film itself that offers the most viewing pleasure. ~ Hannah Court, All Movie Guide