Jaws on Home Video

Let's see, video versions of JAWS I have had over the years:

VHS full screen
LD - full screen, compressed to fit on one disc
LD - first widescreen version, CLV
LD - Box set, CAV
DVD - first DVD, short documentary
DVD - second DVD, full documentary
Blu-Ray

The Blu-Ray is the best version by far.

 

The irony being that Quint's legs are devoured first...

But, given the topic, I had to post this clip: a wonderful 'review' of Jaws: The Revenge from the early 90s Australian comedy program The Late Show. Low hanging fruit, to be sure, but very funny nonetheless:

 

great point about Quint and his leg

 

Very funny clip

 

While I would certainly never defend the film, I think the often-criticized plot point -- Ellen believing the shark is intentionally following her and killing off her family -- isn't as ridiculous as most people usually point out. The idea itself is, of course, utter nonsense... but that's the whole point.... Ellen is so traumatized by the loss of her husband and son that she's become delusional, and she actually starts believing those crazy notions about the shark. (Not just the idea that the shark has a personal vendetta against her family, but also that it's the same shark from the previous movies.... both of which are obviously total B.S.)

 

'This was not a boating accident'.

I'm sure many of you Hoffmannites know which other film this line was spoken in.

 

Yes, it wouldn't be completely ridiculous if the film offered up the 'shark has a personal vendetta' concept to illustrate the sheer extent of Ellen Brody's psychological breakdown. Unfortunately, the film pushes the idea quite literally: as in the clip linked above, we see Brody jetting off to the Bahamas - with a cut to the shark following in hot pursuit. Indeed, if you recall, the film even dares to go one step further: it posits a psychic link between Ellen Brody and the shark, allowing Brody to sense its presence and foresee impending attacks.


Apparently, the psychic ability of Mrs. Brody to forecast shark incidents was to be pursued in Jaws 5; whereas the Jaws: The Revenge tagline was 'This time, it's personal', the tagline for Jaws 5 was to be 'This time, it's predictable'.

 

Beta, the big CAV, Blu-ray. This film does look slightly soft (very "filmy"?), but damn if it doesn't suck me in every time. The shot of the Orca through the shark jaws putting out to sea, with John Williams' score swelling-masterful.

 

I was going to say its funny counter part, but I changed my mind, yayyy Jaws rule.....

 

"Stakeout"?

 

Correct.

 

For anyone interested, here's a featurette on the restoration of the film;

Really, in what way? I'm just interested to know from a professional colorists' point of view...

 

The special edition DVD from a few years back is no slouch, but the blu-ray is fabulous. Here is a site that compares different home video versions of it.

Jaws Blu-ray Roy Scheider

 

I love the blu-ray. Just watched it last weekend. I watch it every summer. It's as good as a vacation on the Cape.

 

I felt the some of the night scenes were too bright, which is often a problem with day-for-night material. There's things that can be done to darken these shots, but it essentially boils down to VFX techniques. It's very possible Spielberg resisted the idea because it would veer too far away from how the movie looked in 1975.

 

Im tired and wanna go to bed
Had a couple drinks just an hour before
and it really hit my head


GREAT MOVIE

 

Ah, you mean you've always thought the night scenes were too bright, correct? I thought you were specifically referring to the new 4k transfer seen on the Blu ray...

 

No, the 4K is fine except for that. And in truth, I don't think the movie has more than 10-15 minutes of night footage.

 

Can you tell me what overscrubbed means? I've never heard this term before.

 

I just mean that it may have been too aggressively cleaned up with noise reduction.

 

My favorite movie of all time,agree the Blu is the best it's looked.on a side note recently my disc has been locking up at the part of the first reveal of the shark(of course one of the best parts of the movie)the disc looks clean,maybe my player is acting funny as the different layers of the disc are read?

 

I have the Universal 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition DVD. Can't compare to the Blu-ray, I suppose, but the picture is stunning, nonetheless, and the extras are cool.

 

Jaws 2 is solid and worthy of the name, but it pales to the original.