May 2nd 1974 Principal Photography Begins On Jaws

So what was shot on that very first day? It was actually a pivotal scene from near the very start of the film.

The first day of shooting included Cassidy and Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) walking along the beach and then having their conversation interrupted by the piercing whistle of Deputy Hendricks (Jeffrey Kramer) as he quite literally stumbles across the remains of Chrissie Watkins (Susan Backlinie) after her encounter with the shark: Behind The Screams: Chrissie’s Attack

It's amazing to know that when they were shooting that first scene, no one could have known what a lasting impact the film and the performances would have.

For many, Jaws changed the face of cinema forever, with it being the first film in history to swim past the magic $100 million barrier at the box office.

It changed the lives of everyone involved in its production, it certainly continues to have an impact on its filming location, Martha's Vineyard: JAWS FILMING LOCATIONS: THEN & NOW

And we know it continued to influence and inspire film fans and shark scientists to this day. And for many a trip to the beach, or the ocean, would never be the same again.

We'd also have to be The Daily something else, if Jaws didn't exist.

Steven Spielberg and the rest of the cast and crew wouldn't know it yet, but the planned 55 day shoot would soon balloon to 158 days.

That shooting schedule arguably became as legendary as the film itself, it certainly helped shape and improve the finished product. And we'd be talking about a very different film if it wasn't for that: 45 Mindblowing Facts About Jaws