‘Jaws’ is one of those films to have earned the distinction of becoming so impossibly well-known that one has the impression of having essentially seen it already, even if only through decades of brief glances on Saturday afternoon TV or countless YouTube top-10 lists.
What a treat, then, to see the entire thing end-to-end for the first time in a packed theatre, and with that iconic John Williams score performed by live orchestra. Such was the pleasure to which all in Hamer Hall were made privy this weekend, with the Australian Pops Orchestra’s special presentation of ‘Jaws’ in concert to mark the film’s landmark 50th birthday.
The setting proved an ideal first-time viewing experience, with many of the film’s biggest scares eliciting a collective roar of surprise, and a bright gust of relieved laughter shortly after. The film’s excellent set-up and release of tension in its more riveting sequences is also testament to the brilliance of its direction by Steven Spielberg, who wrangled its famously hellish production at just 28-years-old.
Under the baton of conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, who welcomed the audience to cheer – or scream! – in response to whatever happened on stage or on screen, the 65-piece ensemble gave a vibrant, highly accomplished performance of Williams’ characterful score.
Many passages demanded intense, high-volume energy from the players, which would of course be tempered to match the audio of the film in the sound mix. Not the case here, where it was given full scope to prance and sing out across the audience. Thanks to the welcome appearance of subtitles, the audience could still follow the dialogue while being able to enjoy the more rollicking sea-bound sequences of the film and its accompanying, adventurous music.
A post-credits coda with no screen projection, directing focus solely to the orchestra, presented a whoop-inducing performance of the film’s iconic theme, with its final perilous notes shivering across the hall as they players were doused in blood-red lighting.
As much a great afternoon at the movies as a brilliant performance of an almost laughably well-known and oft-performed work of film music, Sarah-Grace Williams steered a winning course for the Australian Pops Orchestra’s showcase of ‘Jaws’ in concert. A delight for fans of the film, as well as film-lovers in general, it was a wonderful reminder of the excitement and good cheer generated from a cinema crowd that simply can’t be replicated on the couch at home.
