10 things about JAWS you really should know (by now)
Steven Spielberg’s Jaws didn’t just change movies—it invented the summer blockbuster and sent an entire generation running from the water. But even if you’ve watched the film a hundred times (and can still hum those two ominous notes), here are 10 things about the classic thriller you may not know—or should by now.
1. Spielberg Laughed at the Score When He First Heard It
Composer John Williams famously boiled down terror to just two notes—DUN-dun, DUN-dun—but when he first played it for Spielberg, the young director thought it was a joke. Spielberg laughed, thinking it sounded too simple to work. But when Williams played the cue with full orchestration and tension, Spielberg was sold. The iconic theme is now one of the most recognizable pieces of film music in history.
2. The Mechanical Shark Didn’t Work
Affectionately nicknamed "Bruce," the mechanical shark caused constant headaches. It sank, malfunctioned, and required frequent reshoots, forcing Spielberg to get creative. Ironically, the shark’s absence from many scenes made the film scarier, leaving more to the imagination. Less shark ended up meaning more suspense—and a lesson in cinematic restraint.
3. Robert Shaw Wrote the ‘Indianapolis Speech’
The chilling monologue about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis is a standout moment—and much of it came from actor Robert Shaw himself. Though screenwriter Carl Gottlieb and writer John Milius contributed early drafts, it was Shaw, also a playwright, who refined and rewrote the final version, delivering it in one unforgettable take.
4. Ben Gardner’s Head Scene Was Filmed in the Editor’s Swimming Pool
One of the film’s biggest jump scares—when Hooper discovers Ben Gardner’s severed head underwater—was a late addition. Spielberg shot it in editor Verna Fields’ backyard pool, tinting the water with powdered milk to simulate the murk of the ocean. It’s a prime example of DIY horror at its finest.
5. Jaws Won Three Oscars (But the Lead Actors and Director Were Not Even Nominated)
Jaws won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Sound—but neither Spielberg nor any of the lead actors (Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss) received nominations. Spielberg was reportedly disheartened, feeling snubbed by the industry despite the film’s critical and commercial success.
6. Jaws Author Peter Benchley Dedicated His Life to Shark Conservation
After seeing how his novel (and the film) fueled fear of sharks, Peter Benchley regretted portraying them as mindless killers. He spent the rest of his life advocating for shark conservation, working with marine organizations and producing documentaries to help undo the damage his fictional great white may have done to public perception.
7. The Boat Is Called the Orca Because the Killer Whale Is the Great White Shark’s Only Natural Predator
Quint’s boat, the Orca, is more than just a name. It’s a subtle nod to the killer whale—nature’s top predator and the only animal known to hunt great white sharks. The symbolism fits perfectly for Quint, a man who sees himself as the ultimate hunter of the sea’s fiercest beast.
8. The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis Really Happened
The story Shaw’s character tells about the Indianapolis—a ship sunk by a Japanese torpedo, leaving its surviving crew to face days of shark attacks—is horrifyingly true. The real tragedy took place in 1945, and it's widely regarded as one of the worst disasters in U.S. naval history. Spielberg called it the emotional anchor of the movie.
9. Was the Most Successful Movie Ever – Until Star Wars
When Jaws was released in 1975, it shattered box office records, becoming the first film to gross over $100 million. It redefined the moviegoing experience and gave birth to the summer blockbuster. But just two years later, Star Wars took the crown, beginning a new era of cinematic spectacle—and box office rivalry.
10. The Feud Between Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss Has Been Exaggerated
Much has been made of the supposed tension between Shaw and Dreyfuss on set, but most accounts now agree that the feud wasn’t as dramatic as legend suggests. Shaw, who battled alcoholism, did provoke Dreyfuss at times, but it was more of a cranky older actor testing a rising star than an all-out war. And whatever sparks flew, they translated brilliantly on screen.
From behind-the-scenes chaos to real-world legacies, Jaws remains a film full of surprises—even 50 years later. And whether you’re in it for the scares, the shark, or that eerie score, there’s always something new lurking beneath the surface.
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