Who doesn’t love “Jaws”? The 1975 thriller remains one of the best films of all time. But beyond its iconic suspense, it’s full of behind-the-scenes stories and hidden flaws.
One interesting detail is a deleted scene that most fans never saw. It was a scary moment, every bit as scary as the shark. Spielberg also had to extend a famous scene featuring Chief Brody’s line, “You’re going to need a bigger boat,” after the audience’s initial screams became too loud.
The haunting score for “Jaws” almost didn’t come to fruition. Spielberg initially laughed it off, but later admitted that it made the film what it is. The film, adapted from Peter Benchley’s novel, was so captivating that the producers bought the rights even before the book was published.
At the premiere, producers feared the mechanical shark would be met with laughter, but the audience’s screams proved them wrong. Robert Shaw’s legendary portrayal of Quint, particularly his emotional speech in front of the USS Indianapolis, remains outstanding to this day. His alcohol problems caused tension on set, but his commitment was palpable.
There’s also a fun reunion story between Lee Fierro (Mrs. Kintner) and Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), who met again years after filming. And while there were some production errors, like changing the number of barrels on Quint’s boat, these only add to the film’s charm.
Next time you watch Jaws, pay attention to these details that make it even more legendary.