The BIG JAWS review of 2023
As Jaws events go, we're gonna need a bigger calendar, as it has been a truly great (white) 12 months to be a Jaws fan.
Love to prove that, wouldn't we. Get our name into the National Geographic. Well we've gone back through the last year and cut it wide open.
So, hold your breath as we take a deep dive through a treasure trove of Jaws events that show that the shark and cast of Jaws are still global (they've always been Universal) stars almost 50 years since it was first released.
Once again, we thank you to everyone for their time, support, articles and just reading, liking and sharing our content. The Daily Jaws is only where it is because of you, so thanks for continuing to be a part of that journey.
We drink to your legs, and here's to a bigger and better boat in 2024.
Ten most read articles
Image of the year
“There is something about photographing great whites that’s unlike any subject on Earth. It feels like you are looking at a dinosaur, and truly feel they are the ultimate muse. This moment is one of those ones, like how beautiful and majestic. So very stoked and honored to win The Daily Jaws image of the year!”
From surviving a harrowing shark attack to becoming a one of Earth’s staunchest advocate for sharks, Mike's journey is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of turning tragedy into triumph.
Learn more about Mike’s work here: https://sharksbymikecoots.com
Film of the year
“The Last Shark”
With over 200 shark and ray species, the South African coastline represents one of the most unique and biodiverse regions in the world. In 2003, Gainsbaai alone brought in over 4.4 million USD for Great White Shark diving tourism. However, on the eastern coast of South Africa, since 1952 the "shark nets" on the tourist beaches of KwaZulu Natal have resulted in the culling of sea life and a profound decline in the number of Great White Sharks remaining in the wild. Find out how it all started, where things are now and how we can move forward responsibly. We need to act before we are in fact looking at our last shark. Watch our exclusive interview with producer Charlie Morris and director Frankie Chipparoni.
Product(s) of the year
The Daily Jaws Calendar 2024 (The Daily Jaws, Rob Botts Toons)
Want to spend 2024 with Chief Brody, Quint, Hooper, Mayor Vaughn, Steven Spielberg, Ben Gardner, Pipit and Bruce the Shark hanging round your house? Well, now you can with the first ever The Daily Jaws calendar.
This limited-edition calendar is perfect Christmas gift for every JAWS and film fan and is bursting with exclusive and original artwork by RobBottsTOONS. (Available until Dec 31 2023).
The Film Vault - Jaws 4K UHD (SOLD OUT)
Exclusive individually-numbered CRYSTAL DISPLAY PLAQUE Rigid clamshell box with MAGNETIC CLOSURE 4 collectible ART CARDS - with film facts 3 unique CHARACTER CARDS - with film quotes Reproduction AMITY ISLAND billboard poster Replica BEACH CLOSED sign Poster of the NEW KEY ART Feature film on both 4K-UHD™ and BLU-RAY™ + Special Features On Disc Special Features The Making of Jaws • The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of Jaws • Jaws: The Restoration • Deleted Scenes and Outtakes • From the Set
Spielberg: The First Ten Years (Amblin, Insight Editions, Nedland Media)
Explore the beginning of Steven Spielberg’s remarkable career with this definitive retrospective that covers Duel, The Sugarland Express, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1941, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Watch our interview with author Laurent Bouzareu.
Story of the year
The Shark Is Broken is a play written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, and directed by Guy Masterson. It is a comedic exploration of the behind-the-scenes drama that took place during the filming of the 1975 film Jaws, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss
In memorium
Dorothy Tristan (1934 - 2023)
Dorothy Tristan was an American actress and screenwriter. She was best known for her roles in the films Klute, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, and Scarecrow. She co-wrote the films Steal the Sky and Weeds as well as the original screenplay for JAWS 2. She also wrote the films Suspended Animation, which is based on her novel, and A Piece of Eden. Dorothy was married to the original director of JAWS 2, John D Hancock.
Roger Kastel (1931-2023)
Roger Kastel was an American artist, most known for creating the posters for the films Jaws and The Empire Strikes Back.
Tom Joyner (1943-2023)
Tom Joyner was born on December 7, 1943 in Oak Park, Illinois, USA. He was a production manager and assistant director, known for The Blues Brothers (1980), Jaws (1975) and Predator 2 (1990). He was married to Laura Diggs. He died on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Bill Butler (1921-2023)
Wilmer Cable Butler was an American cinematographer who was known for his work on The Conversation, Jaws, and three Rocky sequels. Butler also completed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest after Haskell Wexler was fired from the production, and was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
Marc Gilpin (1966 - 2023)
Marc Gilpin was born on 26 September 1966 in Austin, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Jaws 2 (1978), The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) and Where's Willie? (1978). He was married to Kaki Gilpin. He died on 29 July 2023 in Dallas, Texas, USA.
Edith Blake (1926 - 2023)
Edie self-published her book in June 1975, the same month the film opened. The success of the film led Ballentine books to reprint the paperback. Over the years the book has sold millions of copies in many languages. The book, like Carl Gottlieb’s “The JAWS Log,” was one of the first to give film fans a real inside look at how a movie is made.
Think you know the year in JAWS…?
We’ve cooked up 10 tough questions about the JAWS events and stories of 2023. Cick the button below and test yourself!
