Disturbing and dark: Why JAWS could be defined as a horror film

Hello Islanders, 

We recently had a guest on our “Let’s Talk Jaws LIVE!” Youtube show who ended our conversation by declaring, “JAWS is NOT a horror film.”  To paraphrase Sam Kinison in Back to School, “is she right?

The Dictionary of Film Studies defines the horror film as representing "disturbing and dark subject matter, seeking to elicit responses of fear and terror.”  Another source states that horror films are “designed to frighten, shock and disgust while evoking our worst hidden fears, ironically captivating and entertaining us at the same time.”  So, is JAWS a horror film?  Let’s go down the list:

Disturbing and Dark Subject Matter

A beautiful woman, a young boy, a man in a rowboat and a skilled fisherman are devoured before our eyes.  Pretty dark and disturbing, I’d say.

Meant to Elicit Responses of Fear and Terror

From the opening notes of John Williams’ memorable theme, the audience is alert and on edge, looking for any sign of a shark anytime the film enters the water.  Actor Tim Kazurinsky once told me a story about the first time he saw JAWS.  It was in a theatre in Chicago located in an urban part of town.  As Chrissie Watkins begins her swim and the music begins to get louder the man sitting behind Tim said, to no one in particular, “Bitch, get outta the water.”  A few seconds later he said it again, only louder, “Bitch, Get Outta the Water.”  Finally, just before the shark struck the men yelled out, “DAMN IT BITCH, GET OUTTA THE WATER!!  DON’T YOU HEAR THE MUSIC??”

Evoking Our Worst Hidden Fears

I don’t know anyone, with the possible exception of Arthur Curry, who doesn’t have a fear of water.  Something about being submerged chest-high, unable to see what is beneath you makes everyone cautious.  If you’ve even been swimming in a lake or in the ocean, you can’t tell me that you haven’t thought, even briefly, about what might be in the water with you.  Or that you’ve had a small fish or other creature bump into your leg and you’ve jumped.  That’s the fear of the unknown.

So, unless you’d like to disagree with me in the comment section, I’m gong on record and saying that JAWS is, indeed, a horror film!

Words by Michael A Smith. Michael is co-author of Jaws 2: The Making Of The Hollywood Sequel. You can order the book by contacting Michael at OsFanMike@aol.com.

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