“Jaws” (1975, PG, 2h 4m), though not the best film ever made, changed both the movie industry and our awareness of one of nature's most fascinating species. Join us at Harbor Theater on Sunday, Sept. 7 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this remarkable phenomenon. At 4 p.m. we will present a captivating look into the making of the film, behind the scenes interviews, and commentary on the film’s impact on the fields of entertainment and science. Then, at 5:30, stay to reexperience (or experience for the first time!) the film that started the whole phenomenon of the summer blockbuster!

When a young woman is killed by a shark while skinny-dipping near the New England tourist town of Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches, but mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) overrules him, fearing that the loss of tourist revenue will cripple the town. Ichthyologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled ship captain Quint (Robert Shaw) offer to help Brody capture the killer beast, and the trio engage in an epic battle of man vs. nature. What a movie!

This afternoon of summer vacation shark mania is free and open to the open public. Sponsored by the Towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport, “Jaws” is the latest in Harbor Theater’s Free Family Films.