Jaws: A FINatic’s Breakdown of the Film
Jaws: A FINatic’s Breakdown of the Film
The fan-favorite class from the Jaws 50th Amity Homecoming Weekend has been revived! Take this rare opportunity to explore the art of suspense and what makes Jaws a true cinematic masterpiece with historian, film scholar, and lifelong fan A. Bowdoin “Bow” Van Riper. This one-of-a-kind session uses carefully selected film clips and stills to unpack the film’s enduring power nearly fifty years after its release.
Participants will journey through the story’s origins – from Jaws by Peter Benchley to its roots in classic literature and real-life events – while gaining insight into the film’s uniquely structured plot and why it feels like “three films in one.” The class also explores how unforgettable characters are brought to life through casting, dialogue, and performance, and how the setting of Amity becomes a vivid, breathing presence of its own.
At its core, the session reveals how Jaws revolutionized suspense, tapping into our deepest fears of what lurks unseen beneath the surface, and why it continues to captivate audiences generation after generation. A must for any true Jaws FINatic.
BIO
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.
Admission: $30 per person
DETAILS
| Date | June 21, 2026 |
|---|---|
| From | 10:30 am |
| To | 12:00 pm |
| Type | Talk |
| Venue | Martha’s Vineyard Museum |