Jaws Returns to Big Screen for Historic 50th Anniversary Celebration at Gala Durham

Fifty years after a mechanical shark changed cinema forever, Gala Durham will host a landmark anniversary screening of Steven Spielberg's Jaws on 6 September 2025, marking half a century since the film invented the summer blockbuster and redefined Hollywood filmmaking.

The evening celebration begins at 7:30pm with an exclusive 30-minute Q&A session featuring two Jaws aficionados: Pascal Fintoni, founder of the Film Marketing Academy and film marketing consultant, and Paul Stainthorpe, award-winning Durham-based filmmaker and founder of Hazy Pine Pictures. Following an interval, audiences will experience Spielberg's masterpiece in stunning remastered quality on the big screen.

Released in June 1975, Jaws launched Spielberg's legendary career and fundamentally changed how Hollywood approaches summer releases, creating a cultural phenomenon that continues to influence cinema five decades later.

"Jaws is the ultimate story of creative courage under pressure," said Pascal Fintoni, who has researched the film's groundbreaking promotional campaign for decades. "When the mechanical shark kept breaking down, Spielberg got more creative. When executives first wanted to limit the release, Universal committed to a bold campaign. It's a masterclass in turning obstacles into opportunities – and audiences have rewarded that courage for 50 years."

The pre-screening discussion will explore the film's production challenges, innovative marketing strategies, enduring cultural impact, and will include a few surprises. Paul Stainthorpe, who has visited Martha's Vineyard filming locations, will share rare photographs and personal insights from his private collection documenting the iconic New England settings.

"Walking those same beaches and streets where Spielberg filmed some of cinema's most memorable scenes gives you a profound appreciation for the craft behind this masterpiece," said Stainthorpe. "Seeing Jaws on the big screen, surrounded by other fans, recreates that communal experience that made it such a cultural moment in 1975."

The anniversary screening represents exactly the type of cultural programming that defines Gala Durham's mission to celebrate significant moments in film and live performances. As soon as they were approached, the team at Gala Durham was thrilled to include this anniversary screening, recognizing both the film's lasting impact and the power of shared cinema experiences.

"This anniversary gives us the opportunity to rediscover not just a great movie, but a cultural milestone that changed how we feel about cinema. It's that special connection between film and audience that makes Gala Durham the perfect venue for this celebration," noted Pascal Fintoni and Paul Stainthorpe.

The evening offers both longtime fans and newcomers the chance to experience John Williams' haunting score and Spielberg's masterful suspense as originally intended, in a darkened theatre with fellow moviegoers.

The remastered print brings Police Chief Martin Brody, marine biologist Matt Hooper, and shark hunter Quint back to vivid life on the big screen, with optimal picture and sound quality for this landmark screening.

Tickets are £7 and available at galadurham.co.uk/cinemapost/jaws-50th-anniversary/ or at the Gala Durham box office. The venue is fully accessible and offers concessions throughout the evening.

The Gala Durham screening is part of a limited number of special anniversary events taking place globally to mark Jaws' 50th anniversary, making this a rare opportunity for North East England film enthusiasts to participate in this significant cultural milestone.