Lyla Lindsey
Steven Spielberg's 1975 film Jaws, based on Peter Benchley's bestseller about a killer shark, is a suspenseful and terrifying thriller. The film has been rated differently over the years, reflecting its enduring ability to frighten audiences. Initially rated 'A' by the BBFC in 1975, the equivalent of today's PG rating, it was reclassified as PG in 1987, and in 2012, it was given a '12A' rating for cinema release in the UK. The film contains intense and frightening horror moments, including bloody scenes, drug and alcohol use, and partial nudity, which may not be suitable for younger viewers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1975 |
| Director | Steven Spielberg |
| Streaming platforms available in Australia | YouTube, Google TV, Apple TV Store, Foxtel, Binge, Prime Video Store |
| Rating in 1975 | A (equivalent to PG today) |
| Current rating | PG |
| Rating in 2012 | 12A |
| Content warnings | Bloody scenes, drug and alcohol use, smoking, partial nudity, intense and frightening horror moments |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
'Jaws' was classified as 'A' in 1975
The Steven Spielberg-directed film Jaws, based on Peter Benchley's bestseller about a killer shark, was initially classified as 'A' in 1975 by the BBFC. This classification was the equivalent of today's 'PG' rating. The film's intense and frightening 'horror' moments were recognised by the BBFC, which also considered that the film would be extremely appealing to boys of 10 or 11 upwards. To inform their decision, the BBFC consulted child psychiatrists and tested the film with child audiences. Jaws was also one of the first films to be given content advice.
The film contains several scenes that would be disturbing to children. For example, a teenage girl's hand, missing a finger, is found on the beach, and a man investigates a corpse, giving a graphic description of how she was killed by the shark. Another scene shows a man looking at pictures of shark victims with chunks of flesh missing. There is also a deleted scene in which Hooper tells a story involving phone sex.
In addition to the violent content, the film features a female character skinny-dipping, with her breasts, buttocks, and pubic region obscurely visible. In the 4K remastered edition, her bare body is shown more clearly. The film also depicts characters drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana joints.
Despite the intense and frightening content, Jaws was a commercial and critical success, winning several awards for editing, sound, and Best Score at the 1976 Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. The film was later reclassified as 'PG' on video in 1987, reflecting its status as a well-known classic.
Free-Range Chicken in Australia: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Jaws - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71mRx2HVhKL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Jaws [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lPPPoUTIL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film contains frightening horror moments
The film Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a thriller that has been described as a "frightening" horror with suspense, tension and terror. It is based on Peter Benchley's bestseller about a killer shark and a tourist beach town.
The film was initially classified as ‘A’ (equivalent to today's PG rating) by the BBFC in 1975. This rating sparked some debate at the time, as the film contains several intense and frightening horror moments that could disturb younger audiences. The BBFC acknowledged the film's potential appeal to boys as young as 10 or 11 and consulted child psychiatrists and tested the film with child audiences before deciding on the ‘A’ classification.
The film contains several scenes that contribute to its horror and fright factor. One scene depicts a teenage girl's hand, missing a finger, washing up on the beach, with the blood shown in detail later on. Another scene involves a man investigating a corpse and giving a graphic description of how she was killed by the shark. The man also examines pictures of shark victims with gruesome flesh wounds. In addition to these violent scenes, there is also a scene where a group of teenagers passes around a marijuana joint and drinks on a beach, and a character is shown drinking wine and appearing slightly intoxicated.
The impact of these scenes is heightened by the film's effective character development, allowing viewers to connect with the characters and become emotionally invested in their plight. This contributes to the overall frightening and suspenseful atmosphere of the film, making it a memorable and influential horror-thriller.
Australia's Gun Control: A Successful Story of Gun Legislation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Jaws 3-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81njWAlna1L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It was awarded Best Score at the 1976 Oscars
The 1975 film Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, was nominated for four Academy Awards at the 48th Oscars, which took place on 29 March 1976. It won three awards that night: Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Original Score.
The Best Original Score Oscar was won by John Williams, who composed the music for Jaws. Williams had previously won an Oscar for Best Adapted Score for Fiddler On The Roof (1971). However, Jaws was his first gong for Original Score. He went on to win Oscars for his scores for Star Wars, E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial, and Schindler's List.
The Jaws score has been deemed an integral part of the film's success, with Spielberg saying it was 50% responsible for the film. Interestingly, Williams was conducting the Awards ceremony when he won and had to be presented with his award by Rod McKuen and Marlo Thomas.
Jaws lost out on the Best Picture award, which went to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Spielberg himself was not nominated for Best Director, a snub that some considered "a dark day in Hollywood".
Understanding Local Government's Role in Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The film is available to stream on YouTube in Australia
Steven Spielberg's "Jaws", based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel, is a commercially and artistically successful film. The film is a scary thriller with well-developed characters, making it a fun watch. While it is not available on a single platform, the first three Jaws films are available on Binge in Australia.
The first, third, and fourth films are available on Amazon Prime Video in Canada, the UK, and Japan, respectively. If you are in Australia, you can use a VPN to access these streaming services. Top VPNs for this purpose include NordVPN and Surfshark.
In addition to Binge, the Jaws films are available to stream in Australia on YouTube, Google TV, Apple TV Store, Foxtel, and Prime Video Store.
If you want to watch the film on Netflix, it is currently only available on Netflix India. To access Netflix India in Australia, you can use a VPN like PureVPN to change your IP address to an Indian one.
Applying for NZ Citizenship: An Australian's Guide
You may want to see also
Characters are shown drinking and smoking
In the film Jaws, several scenes depict characters consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes, reflecting the social norms and cultural attitudes of the time period in which the movie was made and set. Here is a breakdown of these instances:
The character of Quint, portrayed by Robert Shaw, is often shown drinking alcohol, particularly in scenes set aboard his boat, the Orca. Quint is a hardened sailor and veteran shark hunter, and his drinking is portrayed as a way to cope with the stresses of his occupation and the trauma he experienced during World War II. In one notable scene, Quint and the other protagonists, Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) and Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), bond over drinks, sharing stories and personal experiences. This scene serves to develop their characters and build comradery before facing the shark.
Additionally, smoking is prevalent among the characters in Jaws. Brody, Hooper, and Quint are all shown smoking cigarettes at various points in the film. In the 1970s, when the movie was released, smoking was much more socially acceptable and prevalent than it is today. The characters' smoking reflects the time's cultural norms and adds a sense of grittiness and realism to their portrayals.
During the town council meeting scene, where Brody first raises concerns about the shark attacks, several council members are shown drinking alcohol, indicating that the meeting is taking place after hours or in a less formal setting. This detail adds a layer of casualness to the scene and reflects the initial dismissive attitude of the council members towards Brody's warnings.
In contrast to the drinking and smoking depicted for the male characters, the female characters in Jaws are generally not shown engaging in these activities. This reflects the gender roles and societal expectations of the time, where women were often expected to conform to more conservative standards, particularly in a small coastal community like Amity Island.
The drinking and smoking portrayed in Jaws contribute to the overall atmosphere and tone of the film. These elements add a sense of realism and help develop the characters, showcasing their flaws and human qualities. They also provide insight into the social and cultural context of the 1970s, when such behaviours were more socially acceptable and prevalent, especially among working-class adults and within stressful or social situations.
It is worth noting that the depiction of drinking and smoking in Jaws is not glorified or promoted. Instead, it serves as a reflection of the characters' flaws, vulnerabilities, and methods of coping with stress and fear. The film does not condone excessive alcohol consumption or smoking but rather uses these elements as narrative devices to enhance the storytelling and character development.
Koala Diet: What Do These Australian Bears Eat?
You may want to see also
