JAWS

I did after reading the book. Book better than the film.
caused a lot of pointless killing of sharks world wide. Even now people assume all are human killers. So it did a disservice to these amazing fish.

Didn't see it. Not into killing things.

You may well have stirred things up Bathgate!

Amazing how a film could have such a powerful impact on peoples' behavior, but I feel ultimately we each have to take responsibility for our own behavior and not hold somebody else responsible. I found the movie shocking and bigger than life (the shark roars like a lion), but I never had the urge to go out and start killing sharks. However, I did think twice before swimming in the open ocean, which is something I love to do especially at night, but that's what Krissy (the shark's first victim) was doing just before - - chomp chomp!

Just lively freewheeling discussion Honeysuckle. I don't judge...

I went to see it just a few weeks before I had my daughter! Nearly frightened me into having her early!! The shark looks really 'naff' now. Interesting how old scary effects are laughable now. Mind you, I still prefer Harryhausen effects over CGI...

That's very true Anget. The shark is now at Disneyland. Context makes a huge difference and I totally agree with you about CGI. It could never never replace skillful acting and direction. This movie has an element of realism which only adds to the terror; "Could this happen to me?!"

I think the ‘music’ added the tension didn’t it! Music usually adds the right, intended effect on the audience.
Agree with you all about CGI, much prefer the old way of filming with hundreds of real people as extras!

I didn’t want to see it, and hid the book from my son (then 13) … he would have been less frightened than me!

Very true Kate. The music definitely sets the mood. Even with its many foibles, I'd much rather look at real people than CGI. Nothing trumps sheer talent.

Sheila - It was the 'must see' movie at that time. I was about that age and went to see it with all 5 of my siblings. We had an entire row to ourselves. Well...lots of popcorn ended up on the floor. lol!

Oh my goodness yes, I do remember this and being terrified as I watched it. In it's day it was a terrific film with what were classed as great effects and superb acting. Even today I think everyone would recognise the music.
As for being scared to go into the sea and swim...well I never learnt how to swim, being scared of water higher than my knees until I reached my fourties, so it wasn't a problem for me in that respect. I then had therapy, but I still can't swim.

Think it was 1976 we had a heatwave and we were on holiday and my dad took me to see it, I was 9 and was definitely scared to go in the sea after that!! :-))

The movie catches you up in the drama immediately and it's hard to remember it's only a movie. It was definitely more than I bargained for which I rarely say after a movie, but movies were only $4.00 at that time.

Yes it was very good at the time and has been watched over and over, I wouldn't mind watching it again 😊

My dad had a cousin who was killed by a shark in Australia. I don't remember it, I was very small when it happened.

Oh man, that's awful! Australia seems to be a mecca for shark attacks...Florida too!

Really ? I've never heard of them in Florida, surprising how you learn things.

OH yes, New Smyrna Beach, FL. I found this on Google:

Volusia County's earliest record unprovoked shark bite happened in 1956 in New Smyrna Beach, according to ISAF data. In all, as of 2020, there have been 244 attacks in the city's waters, compared to 320 county-wide.

Like Kate said about the music it builds the suspense gets your heart going. I guess in it’s time it wasn’t a bad film but it’s all a bit naff now, I wouldn’t watch it again. There is much darker stuff to watch now lol.

If you can find it to watch, you must watch Steve Backshall where he swims with the sharks there is a couple there is a series just called Shark and he does one on his series of Expeditions with Steve Backshall a fantastic series where he goes on adventurous expeditions such as river rafting through the Himalayas, climbing mountains in the Middle East, trekking through jungles in South America, exploring lava tubes in Saudi Arabia, as well as seeing all its wildlife and history crazy but interesting stuff.