Is This Where Jaws USS Indianapolis Speech Originated?

Even nearly 50 years since its release, Jaws is still continuing to release previously undiscovered facts and treasures about the how the greatest film of all time came together.

The latest treasure to reach the surface is perhaps a clue to where elements of the famous USS Indianapolis speech originated.

We've already written about how that classic monologue from Quint came about as a combination of writing from Howard Sackler, John Milius and Robert Shaw in The Writers Who Brought Jaws To The Screen, but now - after speaking to Jaws co-screenwriter Carl Gottlieb - Jaws fan Daniel Carver believes that Milius may have taken his initial inspiration from a book.

Quint, Hooper and Brody share a laugh aboard the Orca.

Jaws finatic Dan Carver asks Jaws screenwriter Carl Gottlieb about the Indianapolis speech during a Zoom call hosted by the Amity Jaws Group over on Facebook.

The book is called ‘Shark! Killer Of The Sea’ by Thomas Helm. It was published in 1961 and it is from this book that Carl claims John Milius created the story of "Herbie Robinson" but otherwise contributed very little else to the overall speech.

And when you look at that book, you can certainly see the influence it may have had on what Milius eventually put together, which was then further shortened and sculpted into the scene we all know and love today.

“Reading the language used in the book it’s striking how similar it is to the speech delivered in the film. There’s no doubt in my mind that Milius and possibly Shaw used this.”

— Dan Carver

“Jaws never fails to keep on surprising its fans, it is genuinely exciting to hear new information on such an iconic and beloved moment from the film. It’s what helps make the world’s number one Jaws fan site such an exciting place to be a part of, there is always something new to discover.”

— Ross Williams, Creator of The Daily Jaws