In a bold scheduling move, the BBC has claimed victory in the Christmas Day television battle by offering viewers a magnificent 'anti-Christmas' alternative to traditional festive fare.
A Shark-Sized Alternative to Festive Overload
While channels were packed with expected offerings like Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who specials, alongside thematic movies such as White Christmas and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, BBC2 provided a decidedly different option. The broadcaster scheduled a primetime showing of Steven Spielberg's legendary thriller-horror Jaws for 9.15pm on December 25th.
This screening of the 1975 summer blockbuster, followed by a documentary marking its 50th anniversary, served as the perfect antidote for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the season's cheer. For those missing the broadcast, the film remained available to stream on Disney Plus.
The Enduring Legacy of a Cinematic Masterpiece
Initially released in June 1975, Jaws is credited with inventing the summer blockbuster concept. Produced on a modest $9 million budget, it became a colossal smash, grossing $495 million worldwide. It held the title of highest-grossing film ever made until Star Wars dethroned it two years later.
The Oscar-winning film, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss, boasts John Williams's iconic score and immortal lines like 'We're gonna need a bigger boat'. However, its portrayal of a man-eating great white shark terrorising a US seaside town had unintended consequences, sparking a sports fishing frenzy and unfairly vilifying sharks for decades.
An Unconventional Festive Tradition
While seemingly an outlandish Christmas choice, a dedicated fanbase celebrates 'Jawsmas', a holiday invented by fansite The Daily Jaws. Furthermore, the much-maligned 1987 sequel Jaws: The Revenge opens with Christmas celebrations on Amity Island, technically making it an unconventional festive flick, despite its 2% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
This stands in stark contrast to the original film's 97% rating, where it is hailed as a 'cinematic masterpiece'. Spielberg himself has expressed regret for the film's impact on shark populations, telling BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in December 2022 that he fears sharks are 'mad at me' for the subsequent decimation.
The BBC's clever counter-programming demonstrates that for many UK viewers, the perfect Christmas night involves not a heartwarming tale, but the timeless terror of a shark in the water.
