Analysis Of Peter Benchley's Jaws

1665 Words4 Pages

Jaws was a mammoth success as a movie, but before it was a movie, it was a very successful novel that was on the best sellers list for 44 weeks. Jaws was written in 1974 by Peter Benchley. It is a story of a great white shark that preys upon a small resort community and the efforts of three men trying to kill it and stop its destructive attacks. After he learned about the exploits of shark fisherman Frank Mundus in 1964, Benchley's interest in shark attacks manifested into this novel. Doubleday publishing had commissioned Benchley to write the novel in 1971. Little did Benchley know that, as a struggling freelance writer, his novel, Jaws, would become one of the greatest movies of all time, as cited by film critics and industry professionals. …show more content…

The book ends with the shark just inches from devouring Brody when all the injuries its endured finally take their toll, the shark stops moving and sinks to the bottom ocean never to be seen again. Whereas, in the films climatic scenes Brody shoves one of Hooper’s air tanks into the shark’s mouth as it is attempting to eat him. He takes Quint's rifle and shoots at the air tank causing it to explode, obliterating the shark. Moments later, Hooper rises from the depths startling Brody, who almost shoots him. And together, they paddle their way ashore on a piece of the wreckage from the …show more content…

beast conflict without abandoning character development, removing the inconsequential sub stories which ended with the massively successful theatrical spectacle that has won many accolades. Some of the most common criticism of the novel was directed to the human characters, stating that none of the humans were very likeable or even interesting. Steven Spielberg confessed the shark was his favorite character saying he the characters unsympathetic and wanted the shark to win. Jaws won three Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Sound. John Williams's score won the Grammy Award, the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music, and the Golden Globe Award. Jaws was, also, chosen Favorite Movie at the People's Choice Awards. American Film Institute ranked “Bruce” the shark at number 18 on its list of the 50 Best Villains. Jaws will forever be a thrilling ride through the annuls of time. Whether you are watching for the first or fiftieth time, when the shark comes up from the deep dark bottom of the sea, that little chill down your spine will follow. If it weren’t for the book, the move would not have been created and the world would have missed out a spectacular and terrifying journey. However, this is one of the only times it can be said, the movie exceeded the book in every

Open Document