Who directed the film?
Steven Spielberg directed the thriller film Jaws. When he took on the project, Spielberg was determined to stay faithful to the original story, particularly during the pivotal third act — the shark hunt.
Where is the film set?
The film is set in the fictional New England town of Amity Island, where a great white shark terrorizes the beach community, leaving the residents in fear for their lives.
Which Academy Award did Jaws NOT win?
At the 48th Academy Awards, Jaws received four nominations. The film won three awards: Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. Although it was nominated for Best Picture, it did not win.
Who is the composer of the iconic Jaws “shark theme?”
John Williams composed the iconic and ominous theme that signals the approach of the great white shark. The minimalist score earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
The film was shot where?
Although the film is set in the fictional beach town of Amity Island, New York, most of it was actually filmed on location in the real-life Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
When was Jaws released?
Jaws was released on June 20, 1975, and swiftly became the summer's biggest hit. With a budget of $9 million, the film went on to gross an impressive $472 million at the box office.
Jaws is the first film to ________?
Audiences lined up around the block to see Jaws, making it the first film to earn $100 million at the box office. Fortunately, this success was crucial, as the film exceeded its original budget and faced numerous mechanical issues, particularly with the shark.
What was the name of the mechanical shark?
Steven Spielberg’s crew named the mechanical shark "Bruce." Since Bruce was the first of its kind, multiple versions had to be created during the filming process.
One night, Quint reveals he survived an attack aboard which vessel?
While out at sea with Hooper, Quint recounts his experience surviving the USS Indianapolis attack. This United States Navy ship sank in 1945, and many of its crew members faced dehydration, shark attacks, exposure, and saltwater poisoning.
What are the two notes of the “shark theme?”
For many, the shark theme in Jaws is one of the most recognizable musical motifs. Remarkably, the theme consists solely of the alternating notes E and F.
What is the movie based on?
The 1975 film Jaws is actually based on a novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. Published in 1974, the producers at Universal Studios read the book in just one night and quickly moved to acquire the film rights shortly thereafter.
Who was Bruce the mechanical shark named after?
Bruce, the mechanical shark, was named after Steven Spielberg’s lawyer, Bruce Ramer! Having such a famous prop named in your honor must be one of the greatest honors imaginable.
The tiger shark had which state’s license plate in its stomach?
When local fishermen capture what they believe to be the killer shark, they examine its stomach contents. Among the items that fall onto the dock is a Louisiana license plate.
Peter Benchley made a cameo in the film as a what?
Peter Benchley, the author of the novel Jaws, made a cameo appearance in 1975 as a television reporter during the iconic beach panic scene set on the Fourth of July.
How many films are in the Jaws franchise?
Following the success of the original film, three additional Jaws sequels were produced, bringing the total number of films in the franchise to four: Jaws, Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D, and Jaws: The Revenge. None of the last three sequels were directed by Steven Spielberg.
Which film out of the franchise is considered “one of the worst films ever made?”
Among the four films, Jaws: The Revenge is widely regarded by critics as one of the worst movies ever made, earning a dismal 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
People run out of the water, only to realize there is no shark. What was the fake shark?
In a beach scene, two boys decided to play a prank on the swimmers by using a fake dorsal fin. This caused everyone to panic and rush to the shore, believing it was a real shark.
Which film beat out Jaws as the highest-grossing film ever?
With a box office gross of $472 million, Jaws was once the highest-grossing film of all time. However, that title was claimed by Star Wars in 1977, which earned $775.8 million at the box office.
What is the name of police chief Martin Brody’s fear, the fear of water?
In Jaws, Police Chief Martin Brody suffers from a fear of water, known as aquaphobia. Other phobias include arachnophobia, the fear of spiders; coulrophobia, the fear of clowns; and galeophobia, the fear of sharks—something Brody likely developed after the events of the film!
In the film, what holiday is it?
Following several initial shark attacks, the Fourth of July attracts many tourists, leading to crowded beaches. However, unbeknownst to them, the fishermen have caught the wrong shark.
In the film, actor Richard Dreyfuss plays Matt Hooper, a ___________.
In Jaws, Richard Dreyfuss portrayed Matt Hooper, a marine biologist who teams up with Police Chief Martin Brody and shark hunter Quint to hunt down the shark that is terrorizing beachgoers.
What is the film’s tagline?
The tagline for Jaws was the ominous phrase “You’ll never go in the water again.” This tagline was immensely successful, leading many people to reconsider their summer plans of going to the beach.
How many mechanical sharks were used throughout filming?
As the first movie filmed on the ocean, Jaws faced several production challenges, including issues with the mechanical shark. Due to numerous technical difficulties, the team ultimately went through three different mechanical sharks.
How much was the estimated budget for the film?
The estimated budget for Jaws was originally $3.5 million, but production costs soared well over that amount. Due to issues with the mechanical sharks and filming delays, the final budget reached $9 million.
Quint wants to catch the shark without outside help, smashing what?
Quint is determined to catch the shark on his own, without any outside assistance. When Police Chief Brody tries to call the Coast Guard for help, Quint destroys the radio by smashing it.
Who is the captain of the Orca?
The captain of the vessel Orca is Quint, a professional shark hunter hired by Mayor Vaughn to assist Hooper and Brody in capturing the great white shark that is terrorizing the beach.
Matt Hooper works for which organization?
Matt Hooper is a marine biologist from the Oceanographic Institute. He is one of the first to examine the shark victims on Amity Island and works with Brody and Quint to devise a plan to capture the shark.
Real shark attack footage was used in the film. Which country did it come from?
Real shark attack footage was filmed at Australia’s Dangerous Reef and included in the 1975 movie Jaws. Captured by Ron and Valerie Taylor, the footage shows a great white attacking a boat and diving cage. Spielberg liked the cage attack scene so much that he decided to use it in the film.
The crew nicknamed the movie _________.
Because of the numerous technical difficulties encountered during filming—like problems with the mechanical sharks, some boats sinking with the cast aboard, and various other issues—the crew affectionately nicknamed the film Flaws.
In the movie, who was the first shark attack victim?
The opening scene of Jaws features Chrissie Watkins diving into the ocean for a night swim. While she is treading water, an unseen force— the shark—pulls her violently beneath the surface.