Jaws at 50: how two musical notes terrified an entire generation

John Williams' theme from 'Jaws' provides a masterclass in creating tension on screen.

Our experience of the world often involves hearing our environment before seeing it. Whether it’s the sound of something moving through nearby water, or the rustling of vegetation, our fear of the unseen is rooted in our survival instincts as a species.

Williams explained his approach in an interview with the Los Angeles Times:

Unlock Padlock Icon

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

The Conversation Australia and New Zealand is a unique collaboration between academics and journalists that in just 10 years has become the world’s leading publisher of research-based news and analysis.