Not for swimmers

Rating: 7/10 (12 January 2004)

This was the film that shot Spielberg to fame. A sleepy seaside resort Amity Island has an unwanted visitor for the summer season. Conscious of the fact that the island needs visitors for the economy they try to ignore the evidence of the man eating shark and go on as normal.
The three leads Scheider, Shaw and Dreyfuss are excellently cast and put in fine performances. It's a bit surprising that Shaw in particular did not even get nominated for the best supporting actor award. It's a true tribute to Spielberg's craft that the head scene is still frightening even though you know what's coming.