5 Insane Jaws Secrets That’ll Make You Rethink Everything About the Classic Shark Movie

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Initially, I believed there was nothing more to learn about the iconic film Jaws, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. However, a fresh documentary on the best shark movie ever produced has revealed a trove of intriguing trivia that’s stretching my mental capacity!

On the newly launched 50th anniversary Blu-ray collection of the film, you’ll find “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,” an extensive exploration of the creation and lasting impact of Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster. This special feature will premiere on National Geographic on July 10th, and will be accessible to stream with a Hulu subscription the day after. There are many fascinating tidbits you can explore later, but for now, here’s a sneak peek at some of the shocking revelations from the documentary that left me speechless.

How Jaws’ Terrifying Opening Scene Was Achieved

The key factor contributing to the pulse-pounding, tense atmosphere of ‘Jaws’ (apart from John Williams’ Academy Award-winning soundtrack, which almost didn’t make the cut) is that the shark is mostly kept hidden for about two-thirds of the film. This unexpected choice was made due to the persistent technical issues with the mechanical Great White, as it was initially planned for the shark to appear much sooner. In fact, it was intended to debut in the opening scene itself.

In my perspective, rather than witnessing Chrissie Watkins (Susan Blacklinie, who sadly passed in 2024) being attacked by a shark as portrayed in the film, the gripping opening scene presents the young woman struggling wildly underwater, seemingly grappling with some unseen force. Surprisingly, this dramatic effect was achieved through a relatively straightforward method. Blacklinie was secured in a harness and pulled from side to side by hidden crew members submerged beneath the surface.

Average Martha’s Vineyard Residents Were Cast As Amity Island Locals

In the heart of my storytelling about Jaws, it’s often overlooked just how integral Amity Island itself becomes as a character. This place feels so vividly alive, and the locals seem so genuine – maybe that’s because they truly were real-life residents.

In the 50th anniversary special of “Jaws”, Steven Spielberg shares how he asked casting director Shari Rhodes to cast ordinary citizens for his second film, “The Sugarland Express”. Interestingly enough, apart from the main actors like Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, many of the people you see in “Jaws” are regular townspeople who were essentially plucked from the streets of Martha’s Vineyard, which stood in for Amity Island.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on Amazon’s 23% discount for the 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray set of Jaws, which additionally offers a full-length documentary, titled Jaws @ 50. Grab the deal now!

Fidel Castro Was A Fan Of The Novel

The movie “Jaws” is adapted from a best-selling book by Peter Benchley, who also collaborated with Carl Gottlieb on the screenplay. Interestingly, Benchley makes an appearance in the documentary “Jaws @ 50” via archival footage, where he shares his favorite review of the novel – a piece of “Jaws” trivia that I find particularly fascinating. Allow me to share with you what Benchley had to say about it:

During an interview, Frank Mankiewicz inquired about Fidel Castro’s reading habits, to which he responded, ‘I’ve just finished a book titled “Tiburon.”‘ Upon hearing this, Mankiewicz questioned why Castro was reading popular American suspense novels. However, Castro clarified that the book wasn’t a typical commercial American thriller; instead, it was an exceptional allegory illustrating the decay of capitalism.

It’s no surprise that a politically contentious leader like the former Cuban president could grasp one of the key messages from the novel “Jaws” (known as “Tiburon” in Spanish-speaking countries). Over time, readers have come to understand that the real antagonist isn’t the shark, but Mayor Larry Vaughn (played by Murray Hamilton), who, driven by greed, underplays the seriousness of Amity’s shark issue. Peter Benchley even attempted to publish an ad featuring a quote from Castro about this, but his publisher declined.

Steven Spielberg Suffered A “Full-Blown Panic Attack” After Wrapping Jaws

It’s well known that the production of “Jaws” was notoriously challenging, filled with difficulties that would make for an intriguing biopic. From the technical issues with the shark to the feud between Dreyfuss and Shaw, these problems were a constant presence during filming. Despite the movie breaking box office records afterward, the hardships endured by the cast and crew during production had little effect on anyone except Steven Spielberg, who considered the experience of making “Jaws” as life-altering, both positively and negatively.

In the 50th anniversary special of “Jaws,” the renowned, Oscar-winning director shares an intimate detail about his experience: After enduring immense pressure from the numerous challenges he and his team faced during filming, once the cameras stopped rolling and the project was complete, his pent-up stress erupted into a severe panic attack. He admits that for years afterward, he would secretly visit the Orca display on the Universal Studios tour just to be alone and weep, using this as a way to cope with the emotionally draining shoot.

Jaws Inspired A Spike In Shark Hunting

Although Jaws boasts impressive box office earnings and is often hailed as one of the greatest horror films ever made, it doesn’t enjoy an entirely positive reputation. This isn’t about its infamous sequels, but rather the unintended consequence of its success: the loss of countless innocent shark lives due to increased hunting following the film’s release.

The 50th anniversary of the movie “Jaws” brings attention to an unintended consequence: after its release, there was a dramatic increase in shark hunting due to public interest in hunting these marine animals for sport. Contrary to popular belief that the film instilled fear of swimming, it seems that this fear may have contributed to a harmful trend rather than simply keeping people out of the water.

Instead of concluding this reflection on one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces with a melancholic tone, let’s close it with a cheerful spirit instead. After all, the first blockbuster in Hollywood history turns 50 this year, which is more than enough reason to put on a smile!

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2025-06-30 13:08