'Jaws' opened in theaters across North America on this day in 1975. In 1973 Universal Pictures producers Richard D Zanuck and David Brown purchased the rights to an, at that time, unpublished novel by an unknown author. The novel was 'Jaws'. The author was Peter Benchley. Both read it over the course of a single night and agreed that it was "the most exciting thing they had ever read" but Brown claimed afterwards had they read it again they would never have made the film because they would have realised how difficult some scenes would be to film.

The novel centred around a giant man eating great white shark terrorising the fictional summer resort town of Amity Island.

26 year old Steven Spielberg had just directed his first film for Zanuck and Brown, the relatively well received and reasonably entertaining 'The Sugarland Express' starring Goldie Hawn. A meeting was called and Spielberg was captivated with the project.

'Jaws' however was never going to be plain sailing. Spielberg grew disillusioned and tried to pull out but the studio exercised its right under contract and filming commenced in May 1974. The film was scheduled for 55 days filming but took 159 days to complete, going heavily over budget. It was make or break time for Universal Pictures who embarked on a massive television advertising campaign, unprecedented at the time.

Upon its release 'Jaws' became the highest grossing film at the box office of all time. As a great film 'Jaws' works on many levels. From Spielberg's direction to John Williams iconic theme music. For me though the real genius lies with the casting. Spielberg was insistent he wanted no big stars to distract from the story. From Murray Hamilton's beleaguered Amity Island Mayor to Lorraine Gary as police chief Brody's exasperated wife.

The casting of the 3 leads though and the chemistry between them is what really makes 'Jaws' unique. Roy Scheider had just played major supporting roles in 'The French Connection' and 'Marathon Man' and brought just the right level of obsessive intensity to the character of police chief Brody. Richard Dreyfuss, at the time a relatively unknown actor, as marine biologist Matt Hooper and Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint combine brilliantly.

'Jaws' spawned several sequels of varying quality but none came close to the impact of the first movie. As for Spielberg? He's done ok.