I'm ashamed to say that even though it's one of my all-time favorites, I had
Jaws at #21. I need to rectify that soon, as I feel in love with a more recent movie but it really doesn't stand anywhere close to
Jaws. This movie is great one for the ages and once again, @
mark f (dang his prolific writing self) has put things perfect perspective about a certain movie. I, too, really noticed audience reaction for the first time when I saw
Jaws. Although it's faded somewhat since 1975, my peripheral was excellent back then, at the age of 14, as I sat in the audience, waiting for the movie. And during the first of many shock scenes (which I, like mark f, won't reveal, even all these decades later), I noticed with my side vision my whole row of movie patrons shrink backwards in their seats. Of course, even were I without peripheral vision I would have felt the row shake! Audience participation of the best kind, fear-based, made the movie even more fun, but it was definitely Spielberg's movie that was what I loved the best. I loved it so much that I got people in the family to take me three more times so "they could see it." Yeah, that's why. First movie I ever saw that many times at the theater. And everyone but my parents loved it (I related that in my
Raiders comments in this thread), but I didn't care---I got to see it three more times!
And like several people have said, the Indianapolis monologue by Quint has grown to be my favorite scene in the movie. One of my favorite moments in a movie full of favorite moments is right before Quint starts telling his tale, Hooper is joking about what Quint's tattoo might be, and Quint just reaches over and puts his hand on Hooper's arm to stop his laughter before he says to the Chief, "Chief, that there is the U.S.S. Indianapolis." Just the movement of his hand on Quint's arm, showed me that even though there is tension among the men, Quint still has enough respect for Hooper to just touch him instead of socking him or yelling at him.
I had a cousin who had seen the film almost one week earlier and he'd spoiled the finale for several other cousins, the "smile" ending, and yet, I didn't pay close enough attention to him to even remember when that moment came, so it was still a total surprise for me. I love this movie so much and life mark f and others, find no fault in it whatsoever.
19. The Searchers #97
1. To Kill a Mockingbird #85
25. Die Hard #63
14. Rear Window #40
8. It's a Wonderful Life #38
2. Aliens #37
13. The Wizard of Oz #36
9. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back #30
3. Lawrence of Arabia #15
11. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring #11 (same as the list proper)
23, Apocalypse Now #9
10. Raiders of the Lost Ark #8
21. Jaws #6