MovieChat Forums > Jaws (1975) Discussion > Which death disturbed you the most?

Which death disturbed you the most?

posted 2 years ago by strangenstein (683)
25 replies | jump to latest

I saw JAWS on its initial run back in the summer of 1975. I was only ten, but it was an event to remember. Seeing JAWS now, all these years later, is a very different experience, but still powerful - and disturbing.

Here’s the question: Which one of the on-screen deaths disturbed you the most? I have two answers, as one is seen through a child’s eyes, and the other through adult eyes.

Most disturbing death as a kid: Alex Kintner. Alex and I were the same age, same dark hair, same skinny build, and we both liked being in the water. I could completely feel his fear and pain as he was attacked. (As an adult I can relate to his mother calling out for her child.)

Most disturbing death as an adult: The estuary victim. There’s something so random, so quick, so visceral about this attack. Hearing that man’s terrified screams as he realizes what’s happening is not only horrific, but heartbreaking.

It’s not shown on-screen, but I’d wager if there was a shot of Pipit being pulled under many people would say it’s the most disturbing.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (20774) 2 years ago

Some say Pipit sensed the danger lurking below and and got out while he could. He even left and found a new owner.

[–] greenbudgie (2355) 2 years ago

I like to think that Pipit survived too. Pipit wasn't wearing yellow so the dog may have got away with it. Pipit can be seen lying down on a bridge later in the film according to some fans.

[–] millsey72 (9760) 2 years ago

Think about what you are saying. Jaws is a work of fiction. The dog was fine

[–] AckbarsRevenge (3643) a year ago

So is the kid. And Quint.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (20774) a year ago

And of course, I’ve heard it said that Pipit means friendship.

[–] aavfreak (2981) 2 years ago

The opening scene. The unseen danger. The brutal bashing against the buoy. The brief moment of hope that she survived the attack, followed by the sudden continuation of the attack and sheer terror of it, followed by instant and eerie silence. All coupled with the authentic sounding screaming while fighting for breath in the water (I've heard they actually poured water into her open mouth as she screamed to simulate this).

[–] Obifuntoknowme (1104) 2 years ago

Your comment gave me the shivers! Yes it is a very realistic death isn’t it, it’s horrendous and brutal. It’s also the audience’s introduction to the ‘unseen’ presence of the shark, almost supernatural as you say. It’s the fact that you don’t see it that makes it so bad. I would love to have seen the audience reaction to this way back in ‘75. I mean it still shocks now to this day.

[–] strangenstein (683) 2 years ago

I saw the movie back in ’75 and my memory of this scene tells me there was stunned silence when she was finally taken under. I don’t think the audience was really prepared for how visceral it was. I do remember screaming during the Kintner attack, plus LOTS of screams during the Ben Gardner and estuary scenes. The estuary is where we get our first glimpses of the shark, and at least for me it was completely believable. I vividly recall my sister screaming during the chumming scene!

Seeing JAWS that first time back in ’75 was thrilling, but also terrifying. Audiences had never seen anything quite like this. There are lots of reasons why it was/is so powerful, but I think the two biggest are 1) sharks do sometimes attack and kill people, and 2) all the main characters were everyday people who we could relate to. When everyman Brody blew up the shark, audiences cheered. When Hooper surfaced we cheered again.

[–] MrAnonymous (145) 2 years ago

To me the worst part about her death is that while the viewers assume her life ends when her head goes under the water, the reality is that she could remain conscious for a minute or two after her head finally went under. Even though the screams are now silenced, she could have suffered unbearable horror for at least another minute or so under water, unable to scream.

[–] mikethemartian (6287) 2 years ago

I felt really bad for the turkey.

Edit: After seeing the movie again it was actually a roast.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

The only death I found disturbing was Quint’s. After his narrow escape from the jaws of death-by-shark in the Indianapolis his trauma and survivor’s guilt finally bring him back to those jaws, decades later.

As well as being poetically tragic, it’s extremely graphic. We see the guy literally get eaten alive as he slides further into the jaws. He’s panicking and kicking frantically, then it bites his knees causing him to scream in agony. Then he slips further and it bites his belly, he keeps screaming and tries to stab it with a machete as it thrashes him back and forth. Then a final bite and Quint spits blood from his mouth.

Then silence as ‘the ocean turns red’, reminding us again of his Indianapolis story.

It’s one of the most disturbing deaths in cinema and I still can’t believe it got away with a PG.

[–] jekporkins (1935) 2 years ago

I came here to say Kintner but yeah, I am now remembering the first time I saw Quint get taken and it freaked me the hell out. Sliding down to a biting set of teeth, him gasping for anything to avoid it, then the initial bite and it slowly eating him alive. Brtual.

[–] TandyMan (10675) 2 years ago

Probably my favorite death scene of all time. He really looked like a guy getting eaten to death by a giant shark.

[–] GreenGoblinsOck8 (7515) a year ago

Hey. I saw this for the first time since I was a kid last night, and I agree Quint's death was the most disturbing. Especially with him spitting blood out of his mouth. Very unsettling.

[–] kenburke (2309) 2 years ago

Looking back, it would have to be the body in the wrecked boat. The caused the audience to hit the ceiling!!!

[–] Roguemail (1583) 2 years ago

I agree about the opening death of the girl. And I think the actor (Susan Backlinie) sold it really well. When the shark first grips her, you really feel it.

She famously lampooned that role in Spielbergs 1941, but she was "attacked" by a submarine periscope in that one.

[–] PaladinNJ (20707) a year ago

I remember when I saw 1941 in the theater. It was obvious what they did but I didn’t realize until later that it was the same actress.

[–] TandyMan (10675) 2 years ago

I've seen this movie countless times, but only just recently in the theater. It was so disturbing when the the kid on the raft gets eaten. It hit in such a different way on the big screen.

[–] Yatzo (1553) a year ago

The guy in the estuary.
When his severed leg sunk to the ocean floor, the 1975 audience gasped in shock.
It was real graphically violent for the time.
Amazing movie on so many levels

[–] millsey72 (9760) a year ago

I wish you would have put spoiler alert in your heading. Now obviously, everyone knows there will be a killer shark on the loose

[–] PittPanthers47 (237) a year ago

Just don't spill what happens in Titanic, Millsey!

[–] millsey72 (9760) a year ago

I won't however they gave it away in the opening scene. The movie Carlitos Way did the same exact thing

[–] JohnnyJohnson (197) a year ago

Well, in Jaws they kind of gave it away in the opening scene too....