Peter Benchley’s classic 1974 ‘man versus beast’ blockbuster novel doubled as a scathing critique of 1970s America. Spielberg’s film made its characters likeable – and its tone into a ‘grand adventure’.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Jaws
Displaying all articles
A terrifying sight in ancient waters, the megalodon shark was once the most feared creature in the sea.
John Williams’ compositions have an unparalleled reach. He defined the sound of the 20th century.
The researchers found tooth shape varied, depending on the types of food a carnivore regularly bites into – in much the same way we choose a kitchen knife depending on what we’re cutting up.
As part of the nation’s massive wartime mobilization effort, millions of Americans, for the first time, traveled abroad – where many had their first encounters with the marine predators.
Paleontologists have discovered fossil remains belonging to an enormous ‘toothed’ bird that lived for a period of about 60 million years after dinosaurs.
The movie ‘Jaws’ opens with a truly iconic piece of music. Two notes have us on the edge of our seats in anticipation — how does music manipulate our emotions?
What is it that makes films about sharks so popular?
Sexual organs similar to what we see in sharks and rays today appeared many millions of years ago in much more primitive ancient fishes than was previously thought.
Monster movies are currently rampaging across the globe. Their popularity shows us how Hollywood’s place in world cinema is changing.
From Dundee to Dublin, horror spectaculars are springing up like zombies from the dead.
Next time you bite down on something you’re eating, spare a thought for the evolutioniary leap made by an ancient fish that gave rise to our jaws.
40 years ago, Steven Spielberg’s shark attack classic wowed cinemagoers and ushered in the modern blockbuster. It also helped create a climate from which horror has yet to recover.
Top contributors
-
Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University
-
Postdoctoral fellow in vertebrate palaeontology, Flinders University
-
Senior Lecturer in Media, Glasgow Caledonian University
-
Adjunct Research Associate, Monash University
-
Associate Professor in Media Production, York St John University
-
Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, University of Dundee
-
PhD, Evolutionary Biology, Université de Nantes
-
Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)
-
Professor of Film Studies, De Montfort University
-
Lecturer in Musicology, Dan School of Drama & Music, Queen's University, Ontario
-
Associate Professor, Monash University
-
Doctoral Candidate, Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
-
Postdoctoral research fellow, Monash University
-
University Distinguished Teaching Professor of American Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
-
Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and Professor of Biological Sciences, Florida International University
