Build Up of Suspense in the Film Jaws

Build Up of Suspense in the Film Jaws

The film is called ‘JAWS’ and is successfully directed by Steven

Spielberg. I will be analyzing how Spielberg builds up suspense and

scares the audience throughout this film, considering how camera

shots, music and characters’ reactions help to build this effect. The

film is purposely named ‘JAWS’ as it is about a supernatural predator

that killed many people with his deadly jaws without prejudice and

discrimination. ‘JAWS’ is a masterful, visceral and realistic

science-fiction suspense, horror-disaster film tapping into the most

primal of human fear. The film is set in 1975 on a fictional island

called Amity in America; now known as Long Island which is more

precisely in the state of New England. Ironically the movie is

partially set on the American Independence Day. The director plays

with this idea that the fourth of July is usually a day of celebration

and enjoyment for the American nation but in this case a killing

machine is there to make them prisoners of this island. Neither can

they get out of this island as it is surrounded by sea nor can they

enjoy themselves in the sea as if the shark was protecting what did

not belong to them, the unexplored and impenetrable sea.

The behaviour of the shark is without doubt directly related to the

music creating suspense as well as fear. A good example of this is the

title sequence. At the beginning the music is pianissimo, completely

calm hiding the violent behaviour of the shark. We hear bubble sounds

as if a creature is gliding in the sea barely making any noise

frightening the fishes in its way although having no intention to eat

them. The fi...

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...ariest scene in the whole film. The

character’s reaction emphasis this, as Hooper loses control of his

body and is taken away by fear.

Steven Spielberg created a powerful and effective thriller based on a

very primal fear. It is so realistic we consider ourselves to be a

member of that community who live on Amity and are under the threat of

deadly leviathan who kills without mercy and warning. The simple

almost primitive tune builds fear and suspense and is always

associated with the shark to create one entity. Silence is also fitted

in the right places at the right moment. The unseen predator is the

opposite force against which mankind has to struggle in one form or

the other. Suspense, tension and fear are the integral parts of the

movie who will continue to make entire generations afraid to go in the

water.