Jaws Deep Dive: A FINatic’s Look at a Classic Film-Abridged
Jaws Deep Dive: A FINatic’s Look at a Classic Film-Abridged
By Popular Demand: An Abridged Version of the JAWS 50th Homecoming Weekend Class!
Fifty years after its release, Jaws remains an undisputed Hollywood classic. But what makes it so enduring? While most films from 1975 have faded into obscurity, Jaws continues to captivate audiences, generation after generation.
Join historian, film scholar, and lifelong Jaws fan A. Bowdoin “Bow” Van Riper on Tuesday, August 12, for a specially abridged, fan-focused exploration of the film’s brilliance. Using carefully selected clips and stills, this session breaks down the elements that make Jaws a masterpiece:
- Source Material – From Peter Benchley’s novel to classic literature and chilling real-life events
- Plot – Why Jaws is really three films in one—and why that makes all the difference
- Characters – How casting, dialogue, and performances bring our heroes to life
- Setting – How Amity becomes a living, breathing character in the film
- Suspense – How Jaws masterfully taps into our primal fear of the unknown lurking beneath the surface
About Your Guide
A “summer kid” turned year-round Island resident, Bow has a unique connection to Jaws—at age 11, he was one of the panicked swimmers in the iconic “cardboard fin” scene. He later earned a PhD, spent over 20 years teaching history (proving it doesn’t have to be boring!), and has published books and articles analyzing over 150 films—including, of course, Jaws.
This deep dive is designed for those who know Jaws inside and out but still crave more. If you’re a true FINatic, this abridged experience is not to be missed!
MVM Members: $20; Non-Members: $30
DETAILS
| Date | August 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| From | 5:00 pm |
| To | 6:30 pm |
| Type | Talk |
| Venue | Martha’s Vineyard Museum |