Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum ARRRRRGHHHH!
I don’t have any one film that I would call a particular ‘favourite’. It very much depends on the mood I’m in. But it has struck me that watching a film today is quite different to the experience of 25 years ago.

You see, these days a film is out at the cinema for a few weeks, then before you know it it’s on DVD, and then shortly after that, Sky Movies. I don’t have Sky Movies. In fact, I don’t have Sky full stop. Much as it would be nice to have the football and movie channels and access to non-stop grot, I refuse to line the pockets of Rupert Murdoch.

Anyway, back to the point. Yes, 25 years ago (longer, even), the pattern was this. Film comes out at the cinema. Film may come back round again if it was exceptionally popular, but otherwise expect a 3 – 5 years wait before it surfaces on TV. If you were lucky enough to have a video, woo! Hire it from a rental shop (buying was not an issue – a standard VHS copy of a top movie back in 1982 would have necessitated a second mortgage). Otherwise, you’d have to wait until the BBC or ITV got their mits on it (and ITV always seemed to get the blockbusters at the time).

The effect was that when a big movie turned up on TV, it was like a major event. TV premiere! Wow! All your friends would be talking about it, and there was one in particular that got my school friends excited. To this day it remains one of my favourite films.

Jaws.

I remember sitting down with my family as it came on. Apprehensive, but fascinated, on tenterhooks. The music sent a shiver through my body. The guttural screams of Chrissie Watkins as she became the shark’s first victim etched into my memory. Then, normal stuff with the Brody’s, followed very quickly by the second attack. Heartbeat just starting to settle – still no actual sighting of the shark. Just getting into the rhythm of the movie, getting into it, thinking ‘this is gonna be OK’… AND THEN THAT FUCKING HEAD FELL OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE BOAT!!!!

I nearly shit myself. I certainly jumped. That was it, from being calm and settled, I was back to wondering what the hell was going to happen next. The ‘proper’ reveal of the shark was the next jump out your seat moment, but after that the action started to take over and I was drawn in. The Indianapolis speech is still a great scene – thank God they let Robert Duvall rewrite it, I can’t imagine it being done any other way. The final few scenes – come on, come ON! Brilliant stuff.

OK, I know it’s a mechanical rubber shark, but considering the time it was made, and the technology available, it’s pretty damned good. Can you really imagine it being done with CGI? Me neither (and just look at Deep Blue Sea for the evidence). I watched it again last night – still as brilliant as ever.

The thing is, everyone was talking about the next day – “Did you see that bit where the head fell out the boat? God, I shit meself at that”. And the day after. Some lucky buggers had a VCR, had taped it, and had watched it again.

That doesn’t happen these days. And I think that sometimes the country’s a poorer place for it.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 18 Jul 2008, 10:56, 6 replies)

Because of that film.
I still have the fear about deep water.
( girlinthehole, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 11:11, closed)

^Me too
The sea, deep swimming pools, everything. All ruined by watching Jaws at a far too impressionable age. Ace film tho.
(The Ginger Penguin la la la la la la, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 11:17, closed)

I too
used to be unable to swim out of my depth in the sea, I'm a very strong swimmer, but I used to completely freak out. Then I discovered the joys of snorkelling over coral reefs and surfing, and had to get used to it.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 11:27, closed)

Why is it though?
That every time I watch Jaws and the head comes out of the boat I shit myself?? Every time! Dammit!
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 11:37, closed)

Jaws.
I love swimming in the sea, but get freaked out when I pass over seaweed patches in case something is lurking down there.
(ice9, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 16:02, closed)

That theme music..
I was at a family festival just yesterday and the Jaws dum-dum-dum music came on randomly through a huge soundsystem, it was very funny seeing how deeply embedded that sound is into our collective sense of "holy shit!". Lots of grown-ups laughing kinda nervously at each other but still secretly glad that sharks don't have legs.
(AmiBambini, Mon 21 Jul 2008, 18:33, closed)