What day is it? My JAWS timeline
Hello, Islanders!
The dictionary defines continuity as “the unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time.”
In the world of film, continuity is vital, especially since many films are shot out of sequence. They may do one part of a scene on Monday and then complete the scene on Friday. In order to ensure that everything looks the same (actors wearing the same clothes, same props, same levels of beer in the glass) there is usually someone that shoots photos during filming, using them to ensure that things appear seamless on screen.
An example of the continuity people doing their job on JAWS occurs during the town hall scene where Quint first appears. As the people file into the room and Mayor Vaughn addresses the crowd, look at the man in the white shirt standing in the back of the room, over the shoulders of Mr. and Mrs. Taft. He is wearing a white t-shirt which is advertising a local business, which was against the rules of what the extras were asked to wear. However, because this escaped notice until the end of the first day of shooting, the gentleman had to wear the same shirt for the rest of filming.
An example of continuity people NOT doing their job on JAWS is the timeline the film runs on. You would be safe if you were to opine that the events in JAWS take place between the end of June and the middle of July. However, thanks to on-screen errors, the only day you can pinpoint is July 3rd when the Mayor Vaughn declares, “for Christ’s sake, tomorrow’s the fourth of July.” The film opens with the death of Christine Watkins. When Brody prepares the police report, it is noted that Chrissie was killed late in the evening of July 1st and her body discovered the next evening, July 2nd. However, when the REWARD poster for the shark that killed Alex Kintner is seen, it notes that Alex was killed on June 29th. Oops! Also throwing a wrench into the continuity is the fact that, while admonishing Brody on the dock, Mrs. Kintner states she recently learned that a girl was killed last week, further jumbles up the timeline.
Based on my belief that July 3rd is the only date we can confirm in the film, here is my timeline of the major events in JAWS:
Sunday, June 28th
After exchanging glances with a young man, Chrissie Watkins strips and runs into the surf for a midnight swim. She is attacked by a shark and disappears beneath the waves.
Monday, June 29th
The remains of Chrissie Watkins are discovered. Brody instructs Hendricks to have “Beach Closed” signs created, reminding him to “let Polly do the printing.” Hendricks informs the mayor of what is going on. The mayor and others talk to Brody and explain how damaging to the town closing the beaches can be. Brody relents and the beaches remain open. Later that day, and despite pruning fingers, Alex Kintner persuades his mother to let him go back in the water for 10 more minutes. Tragedy ensues.
Tuesday, June 30th
Despite her grief, Mrs. Kintner contacts the Amity “Gazette” and other publications in New England to place an ad, set to run the next day, offering a reward for the capture of the shark that killed her son.
Wednesday, July 1st
An ad placed by Mrs. Kintner is published in the Amity Gazette” and other out of town papers. Quint addresses the selectmen, offering to catch the shark for $10,000. Brody informs those in the meeting that he is closing the beaches, though Mayor Vaughn overrides him and declares the beaches will only be closed for 24 hours. Later that evening, two fishermen sacrifice their holiday roast in an attempt to catch the shark.
Thursday, July 2nd
Hooper arrives just as the fishing armada heads out to catch the shark that killed Alex Kintner. As a large tiger shark is displayed, Mrs. Kintner, following the funeral of her son, confronts Brody, slapping him. Later that evening, Hooper arrives at the Brody house and, after some wine and conversation, he and Brody go down to the dock and cut open the tiger shark. Finding no evidence of the little boy inside the shark, the two head out onto the water, where the wreckage of Ben Gardner’s boat is discovered.
Friday, July 3rd
Brody and Hooper confront Mayor Vaughn the morning after discovering Ben Gardner’s boat, imploring him to close the beaches. Without the tooth found in Ben Gardner’s boat, Vaughn dismisses the two, declaring that “tomorrow is the fourth of July” and the beaches will be open for the weekend.
Saturday, July 4th
With the beaches open, Brody and Hooper are on high alert. While those on watch are distracted by two kids with a phony fin, the shark makes its way into the estuary, where it attacks and kills a man while Michael Brody watches. In shock, Michael is taken to the hospital, where Brody convinces Vaughn to hire Quint.
Sunday, July 5th
Brody and Hooper visit Quint’s shack, where Quint sets his demands and challenges Hooper’s qualifications, finally agreeing to take Hooper along as “ballast.”
Monday, July 6th
The ORCA is loaded up and the three men head out on their adventure. Quint hooks something but the line breaks. Brody continues to chum the water and soon the shark makes an appearance, where it is harpooned by Quint but goes under. Later that night, while the men are comparing scars and signing songs, the shark attacks and damages the ORCA.
Tuesday, July 7th
The men repair the boat as much as possible, get another barrel on the shark, and begin to head towards land. Quint overloads the engine and the boat comes to a stop. Hooper goes into the water in his shark cage with disastrous results. The shark attacks the ORCA again, this time killing Quint and sinking the boat. Brody, armed with a pike and a rifle, hangs onto the mast and, as the boat begins to go under, shoots an air tank in the shark’s mouth, causing the tank to explode and kill the shark. Hooper resurfaces and the two kick towards show, eventually landing safely on the beach.
Words by Michael A Smith. Michael is co-author of Jaws 2: The Making Of The Hollywood Sequel. You can order the book by contacting Michael at OsFanMike@aol.com.
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