The ever-changing yellow barrels in Jaws

“Not with three he can't….”

JAWS has been a fixture in my life since I saw it in the drive-in as a kid. Whether sitting down with a friend to watch it, having it running in the background or falling asleep with it on, I have watched this masterpiece hundreds of times. Some years ago I noticed a little hiccup in the barrel count. Now before you throw me overboard with the chum, hear me out.

At 1:25 into the film Hooper finally gets his knot done and the first barrel is set loose.

Then at 1:39:30 we see the second barrel.

It's at this point barrels start to come and go. In the chase of the "fast fish" we see only one barrel being dragged through the water when it should be two. Then at 1:41:25 Quint shoots and the third topples over the side. This makes 3 barrels shot into Bruce

The next shot we see two barrels pop up and there are three on the bow of the boat at 1:41:53 thus taking us back to two barrels in the shark

A few minutes later Quint shoots the harpoon for the last time and we end up with the third barrel back in. 1:44:20

From here on out the count stays at three barrels. Years ago when Cinema Sins did Jaws I thought for sure they would see it. I've mentioned it to diehard Jaws fans like myself and they wave me off like super cargo. Regardless, the film is a master piece and nothing could ever take away my enjoyment of this wonderful film .

Words by Steve Madak

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