Jaws celebrated its 50th anniversary last week, and it’s hard to believe that Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking shark thriller—dubbed Hollywood’s first summer blockbuster—will likely remain a classic for another fifty years. This milestone is honored by National Geographic’s “Sharkfest” programming with the new documentary Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, crafted by frequent Spielberg collaborator Laurent Bouzereau, featuring a score by John Williams.
Fans of film history are well aware that Jaws is already a thoroughly documented cinematic experience. For those who haven’t read The Jaws Log by actor and co-screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, with an introduction by author Peter Benchley, it’s essential reading for all the gripping details behind the film’s notoriously chaotic production.
Spielberg himself acknowledges that the remarkable story behind his 1975 film has achieved legendary status. In the early moments of Jaws @ 50, Bouzereau asks the iconic director if there are any untold stories left, to which the Oscar winner replies, “Let’s find out.” In a recent press day ahead of the documentary’s release on National Geographic, Hulu, and Disney+, Bouzereau shared what makes this new film stand out from its predecessors.
“So far, the narrative of Jaws has been framed around mechanical and technical aspects, primarily the infamous mechanical shark,” he explained. “This documentary dives deep into the emotional core of Steven Spielberg’s artistry, illustrating how pivotal this experience was for him as a creator. This emotional drama is a compelling side of the story that has often been overlooked.”
Bouzereau aims to showcase Jaws as a generational experience, incorporating perspectives from emerging filmmakers and ocean conservation advocates. He emphasizes how storytelling can invoke change. “These concepts have been acknowledged, but never addressed in a dramatic and engaging manner. We believe this fresh lens highlights the lasting impact of Jaws,” he remarked.
Bouzereau previously created a making-of documentary for the film’s 30th anniversary, which was featured on the laserdisc release. He finds that earlier experience valuable, as many key figures from the original film are no longer with us. “I had the unique opportunity to interview the team behind the film intimately the first time since its release. This documentary provides a fresh perspective at the 50-year mark.”
Leveraging his earlier work, Bouzereau pulled from past interviews with Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss, who does not appear in new interviews due to scheduling conflicts. Bouzereau explained, “I utilized archival footage from a remarkable interview with him that had not been showcased before. It adds a strong voice to the documentary.”
The documentary features insights from Spielberg and notable fans such as deep-sea aficionado James Cameron and filmmaker Jordan Peele. Bouzereau carefully selected each contributor to ensure a diverse array of perspectives on the Jaws experience.
“Steven Soderbergh, for example, reached out to Spielberg to wish him a happy anniversary, as it marked the 50th anniversary of the initial filming of Jaws,” Bouzereau shared. “Soderbergh has meticulously studied the call sheets and schedules of the film because his directorial style includes making movies within a strict timeline and budget, which is the polar opposite of what unfolded on Jaws.
Guillermo del Toro’s presence is also notable, as he’s built a career examining both internal and external monsters. Bouzereau wanted to understand his relationship with the Jaws monster, which represents deep-seated fears for many. “Each of these contributors has meticulously crafted their stories, and all were carefully orchestrated to enhance my documentary,” he added.
Wendy Benchley, widow of Jaws author Peter Benchley, is another key voice in the documentary. Following the global success of the book and movie, the couple became advocates for ocean conservation. In Jaws @ 50, she shares her first viewing experience and reflects on its significance.
“I watched it with Peter and several shark experts and cinematographers who had worked with real sharks,” she recalled. “Naturally, we were anxious to see their reactions. Fortunately, they appreciated the film, recognizing that it created a fictional 25-foot shark, which was a relief for both Peter and me.”
Could the response from the audience at public screenings match this enthusiasm? That excitement was palpable when she and Peter joined Dreyfuss for a public screening. “The audience was ecstatic, cheering wildly. Richard was overjoyed, celebrating our collective accomplishment after months of hard work,” she reminisced.
Benchley is thrilled that Jaws @ 50 is included in Sharkfest. She values its emphasis on both shark experts and Hollywood personalities, stating, “This documentary beautifully illustrates the holistic story of Jaws, showcasing its beneficial impact on marine science and public interest in sharks.” She highlighted a key statistic: a whopping 30% increase in applications for marine science programs at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science immediately followed the film’s release.
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story premieres on July 10 on National Geographic, and will be available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu. Fans can also find it included with the Jaws 50th Anniversary Edition now available in 4K, Blu-ray, and digital formats from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Curious about the Jaws phenomenon? Explore more content related to this classic film to uncover its lasting impact and fantastic storytelling. For more insights, check out Moyens I/O.