This Christmas Day, BBC Two is treating viewers to a televised slice of cinematic history by broadcasting one of the most influential horror films ever made. Steven Spielberg's Jaws, a movie that redefined the summer blockbuster, will air at 9.15pm, offering a festive fright with its timeless tale of a monstrous great white shark.
A Cinematic Landmark Returns to the Small Screen
First released in 1975, Jaws was an instant cultural phenomenon. Adapted from Peter Benchley's novel, it starred Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody, Robert Shaw as the grizzled shark hunter Quint, and Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper. The film's story of a New England resort town terrorised by a predatory shark captivated global audiences and broke box office records, becoming the highest-grossing film until Star Wars arrived two years later.
Its legacy endures powerfully today, evidenced by its stellar 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics consistently label it a masterpiece. The site's consensus celebrates Spielberg's direction and the film's enduring ability to generate genuine fear.
Production Challenges That Forged a Legend
The journey to create Jaws was famously fraught with difficulty. As the first major motion picture filmed extensively on the open ocean, the production ran significantly over schedule and budget. The film's now-iconic mechanical shark, nicknamed 'Bruce', frequently malfunctioned. This technical setback, however, proved creatively fruitful. It forced Spielberg to suggest the shark's presence more subtly, relying on John Williams's chilling, Oscar-winning score to signal its approach—a decision that amplified the suspense and created one of the most recognisable themes in film history.
Despite these hurdles, or perhaps because of them, Jaws triumphed. It won three Academy Awards and its marketing campaign helped pioneer the wide-release model now standard for blockbusters.
Why Jaws Still Bites After 50 Years
Five decades on, the film's power remains undiminished. Critics point to its intelligent construction, superb performances, and Spielberg's masterful control of tension. "Spielberg fashioned an instant classic whose success owes as much to his superb orchestration as to the substantial jolts and knockout performances," notes one review highlighted on Rotten Tomatoes.
Another praises its lasting impact, calling it "a thrilling horror adventure that still manages to instill a sense of genuine terror to this very day." The simple yet primal story of mankind versus a relentless force of nature continues to resonate, making it a perfect, if unconventional, piece of Christmas night viewing.
For those seeking an alternative to traditional festive fare, BBC Two's broadcast of Jaws on Christmas Day at 9.15pm offers a chance to experience a true piece of filmmaking history—a movie that forever changed Hollywood and continues to make viewers think twice before going back in the water.
