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The MPAA rated Jaws PG.

Destined to become the first major calling card of Steven Spielberg's incredible career, Jaws wowed 1975 audiences with its mechanical shark, helped by John William's famous score. Releasing on DVD in an anniversary edition, the movie is drawing renewed attention. For those who saw it 30 years ago, here's a refresher on the film's content.

The infamous shark-fest opens on the quiet shore of Amity Island, where a group of young people are gathered around a fire getting drunk, smoking pot, and pursuing sexual interests. When one amorous couple leaves the party, and the girl strips off her clothes before heading into the ocean -- Jaws really begins. A few moments later, the audience is left with the indelible image of a woman being eaten alive.

Because the 4th of July is just around the corner, the business types on the island interfere with police chief Martin Brody's (Roy Scheider) plans to close the beach. Instead they demand he keep the shark attack quiet. But the secret is out after a young boy becomes dinner. Determined to rid the waterfront of this tourist-eating monster, the angry townspeople take to the ocean and return with a large shark. But oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) knows they didn't get the killer after opening the beast's stomach and finding only fish and a license plate.

With two more men dead, the desperate town officials hire an old-time shark stalker named Quint (Robert Shaw), agreeing to pay him $10,000. Brody and Hooper join the search, heading off in the bounty hunter's aging boat.

Considering the many bloody feedings with graphic shots of severed limbs, and the explicit portrayal of one victim being consumed by the toothy big mouth, Jaws would likely have received a PG-13 if it had been rated by today's system. (The drug use depicted in the opening scene might even have netted it an R.) Thanks to high resolution DVD, all these gruesome details are sharper than ever, including the silhouette of the skinny-dipper who provides the first bait.

Although a well-constructed movie, parents should remember its premise is to create entertainment from watching humans being chewed to death. For children who have no sentimental attachment to Jaws, this may still be a horrifying experience.

Talk about the movie with your family...

What types of sharks are found off the Northeast U.S. coast and what are your chances of being eaten alive? Check http://www.beach-net.com/Shark.html for more shark information. Look for the link titled "The Chance of a Shark Attack".

Video alternatives...

If you like movies where humans are dinner, check our review of Anaconda (snakes eating people), Bats (flying mammals eating people), Godzilla (baby Godzilla-things eating people), or Jurassic Park (dinosaurs eating... you guessed it). Unfortunately we can't recommend any of these films for family viewing (or dining).

Donna Gustafson

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