Customer Reviews

Jaws: Anniversary Collector's Edition

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...is that this IS the original soundtrack recording. This is the same recording used in the actual film. The old soundtrack released was a re-recording, done by John Williams especially for the soundtrack release, hence variations in track lengths and tempos when compared to this release.

Jaws is a fantastic score - one of John Williams' best, and certainly one of the best scores ever composed. And it is wonderful to finally hear the music as it is heard in the film. The old release had its points, but the sound was muffled and full of tape hiss. This new release has better sound and more music. Recommended.

I would like to respond to unclesparky's review. You seem to be confused as to the content of the 2000 release of the Jaws soundtrack. It is this recording that contains the original scores tapes as heard in the movie, not the original album release, which was a rerecording of some of the cues as "concert" arrangements. You seem to have it backwards.
Now, as for my opinion, I personally detest rerecordings and always want to hear music as it is heard in the film. This album does a magnificent job of restoring the original master tapes. The cues are short, however, so if you don't like short cues, you might want the original CD. Either way, you can't go wrong, but purists should buy this album, while people who are on the fence should probably go for the older album. Great score either way, well deserving of the Academy Award.

In the early 1970s, the craft of the film score was nearly dead. Despite the efforts of established composers like Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein, small combos and electronic instrumentation were the rage. More than any other single factor, the popularity of John Williams' mid-'70s soundtracks re-elevated film composition. His splendid music for disaster epics like "The Towering Inferno" were auspicious beginnings, but "Jaws" set the standard. Its popular appeal was staggering, and this newly expanded disc illustrates exactly what it was Williams was doing so well - so much better in fact than anyone else.

The old 1975 LP (and subsequent CD) was truncated but still conveyed the richness and excitement of this seminal movie score. This new, expanded edition nearly doubles the amount of music to be savored; the score has been filled out with a great deal of music not on the original soundtrack album as well as portions cut from the final film. The CD has a breathtaking clarity that brings the subtlest sounds forward and makes this essential movie score even more exciting. I was delighted to discover that a few new inclusions, like "Father and Son," "Into the Estuary" and "Between Attacks" contain some of my own personal favorite musical cues in the film. Collectors will notice that some of the tracks as heard in the movie ("Montage," for instance) are slightly different - sometimes briefer, often much better - than their corresponding analog (LP) selections. Many thanks to Laurent Bouzereau, Shawn Murphy and DECCA for presenting us with this holy grail - the complete and definitive "Jaws" - at last.

For those who have watched the movie Jaws (ask yourself, who hasn't) will know that one of many key elements that made the movie a huge success was the fantastic score John Williams did for it. This cd captures all the music from the movie perfectly, with some new elements thrown in that are not found in the film.

The linear notes are bright and colourful and provide some interesting information, which gives the overall package a nice touch. The overall cd package is certainly not a rushed effort and is worth every cent. A highly recommended purchase for those who love their soundtracks or anyone who wants to relive the film through the music.

I'm a new collector of movie scores and I've had my eye on this score for a while now. I finally bought it and WOW! Great music that not only takes you right back into the film but stands on its own as an intense listening experience. Highly recommended!

This soundtrack is the best ever! I have a different version, the original this is some aniversary, but Jonh Williams is a genius! The Jaws Theme is just amazing and the other themes are just OUTSTANDING! This is the most known Spielberg soundtrack ever! I love this music, classical isn't my favorite genre of music, but this soundtrack is amazing!

With the exception of the Shark Cage Fugue being placed out of order (placed near the beginning rather than near the end) it was very satisfying to find this. John Williams is always a worthy buy.

i have purchased this CD from amazon .com being a fan for the movie.The moment i played it in my system , i imagined myself being in the sea with the great white right in front of me.The score by John Williams is a masterpiece and i would recommend this product to any one who likes melody and suspense in listening.Great work Mr.Williams.

Finally, after years of waiting, John Williams' soberb score for one of Steven Spielberg's great films is presented as it always should be: complete and uncut. It is much more music from the first edition, and one of the best things in this anniversary album is the fact that the music is taken directly from the master tapes. The music composed by John for "Jaws" is one of the rare moments in film music history that a score is elevated on an art level. Since Bernard Herrmann, there has never been such a great composer, that could understand a film and capture all its essence. That's what John Williams does in every work he puts his hands on, but "Jaws" is probably the summit of his creativity, sense of humor and talent. An exceptionally illustrated and carefully colorful blue booklet comes with the CD, presenting us some exclusive stills from the film plus a wonderful photograph of a recording session at the time of the making of the film. The best of John Williams, the film composer of our time; an experience, as Laurent Bouzereau puts it on the text of the booklet, that should make your own jaw drop!

Although John Williams had been making inroads in the movie/television musical composition biz, it was his score to the Spielberg classic that cemented his status as one of the best in the field.

A landmark album, "Jaws" possesses what is, without a doubt, the most ominous and thrilling trio of notes in motion picture history. This release on the 25th anniversary of the film is a treasure for music fans, as well as lovers of the cinema.