Fifty years after its release, Richard Dreyfuss remains reluctant to swim in the ocean. The acclaimed actor admits, “I haven’t gone back in the water since that movie. It makes you hyper-aware of what you don’t know, particularly what’s beneath the surface.”
The film, Jaws, premiered on June 20 five decades ago, revolutionizing both the film industry and societal views on sharks. It was the pioneer of the summer blockbuster, setting the stage for major hits like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While it portrayed sharks as terrifying creatures, it also sparked a significant interest in marine conservation.
Inspired by Peter Benchley’s novel and directed by Steven Spielberg, Jaws narrates the tale of a menacing great white shark that terrorizes the fictional Amity Island. This prompts the town’s police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned fisherman to pursue the creature. The film was critically acclaimed and was the first to earn over $100 million in theatrical rentals.
The trio aboard the boat comprised Dreyfuss as the marine biologist Hooper, Roy Scheider as Chief Brody, and Robert Shaw as the fisherman Quint. The interaction among these characters is crucial to the film’s charm. Today, Dreyfuss is the only surviving member of the trio. Now 77 and residing in San Diego, California, he shares his vivid memories of the film, stating, “It feels like it happened just yesterday.”
Initially, Dreyfuss declined the role. “At a lunch meeting, Spielberg described the plot vividly. He asked if I liked it; I did but still refused the role,” he recalls. Dreyfuss feared the challenges of shooting the film. However, after seeing a rough cut of a previous film where he felt his performance was subpar, he feared for his career and urgently contacted Spielberg to accept the role.
Contrary to his initial fears, the shoot was not as difficult as anticipated. “The main challenge was the waiting,” Dreyfuss reflects. Despite the logistical and financial challenges, including a budget that ballooned from $4 million to $9 million and numerous delays caused by the malfunctioning mechanical shark, Spielberg insisted on filming in the open sea off Martha’s Vineyard to enhance the film’s authenticity.
Dreyfuss humorously recalls the frequent announcements about the shark’s operational status, mimicking a PA announcement: “‘The shark is not working. Repeat, the shark is not working.’ And then, suddenly, ‘The shark is working!'” The continual malfunctions forced Spielberg to suggest the shark’s presence rather than showing it outright, which Dreyfuss believes contributed to the film’s success.
Spielberg, then in his mid-20s, adopted a minimalist approach to suspense, influenced by Alfred Hitchcock. Composer John Williams provided a significant boost with his iconic two-note theme, initially so simplistic that Spielberg mistook it for a joke. Dreyfuss praises Williams: “He crafted a musical motif that conveyed the film’s suspense brilliantly. You hear the shark before you see it, and it was terrifying.”
Film critic Mark Kermode has suggested that Jaws is less about a shark and more about human experiences and fears, exemplified by a scene where Quint recalls a shark attack during the war. This scene, enhanced by improvisation, is Spielberg’s proudest moment in the film.
Shaw, battling alcoholism, famously delivered a powerful, drunken monologue that had to be reshot sober the following day. Dreyfuss found the experience painful to witness. Despite rumors of a feud between Shaw and Dreyfuss, the latter insists it was greatly exaggerated, stressing that any tension was fleeting and not reflective of their overall relationship.
Dreyfuss fondly recalls plans for future collaborations with Shaw that were unrealized due to Shaw’s untimely death. “We had agreed to play significant roles in each other’s future projects. His passing was a profound loss for me.”
Upon viewing the completed Jaws, Dreyfuss was as terrified as any audience member, swept up by the storytelling and Spielberg’s directorial prowess. “Watching it, I knew I was witnessing a monumental moment in cinema that would crown Spielberg as a leading figure in Hollywood.”
The film was a box office sensation, drawing massive crowds and quickly becoming a cultural touchstone. “It showed how a film could resonate across diverse audiences globally,” Dreyfuss notes. Despite this, he has never watched the entire film again, though he occasionally catches parts of it on television. Regarding the less successful sequels, he remarks, “They should never have been made. I have no interest in them whatsoever.”
Unlike Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, who played Ellen Brody, has not let the film deter her from swimming. Now 88 and residing in Los Angeles, she recalls her time on set with Scheider, noting their lack of common interests at the time. However, a later encounter in New York allowed them to connect more meaningfully.
Jaws was strategically released during the summer, a typically quiet period for cinemas, with the tagline, “See it before you go swimming!” This marketing strategy, including a substantial TV campaign and themed promotions, helped cement the film’s status as a groundbreaking event.
Gary didn’t anticipate the film’s monumental impact. “Every day, I receive fan mail. It’s bizarre but enjoyable,” she shares. Despite the film’s portrayal of sharks as fearsome predators, she doesn’t harbor strong negative feelings towards them. “They deserve to be understood for what they truly are,” she asserts.
The movie has had a profound effect on perceptions of sharks, which have been around for over 450 million years. Spielberg expressed regret over the negative impact on shark populations on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2022. However, the film also spurred interest in marine biology and conservation, a legacy Peter Benchley and his wife Wendy actively supported.
In a recent interview, Wendy, now 84, reflects on the film’s success and its unexpected role in promoting marine conservation. “Jaws tapped into a primal fear, but it also inspired a fascination with marine life. Many people who were initially frightened by the film went on to pursue careers in marine sciences,” she notes.
Peter Benchley, who passed away in 2006, had mixed feelings about his book’s legacy. Despite its success, he recognized the importance of sharks in the ecosystem and devoted much of his later life to marine conservation. The Peter Benchley Ocean Awards continue to honor his commitment by recognizing outstanding achievements in ocean conservation.
Wendy recalls the day they learned Jaws would be adapted into a film. “I cried, fearing it would change our lives drastically. Fortunately, our strong family ties and friendships kept us grounded,” she shares.
Benchley co-wrote the screenplay and even appeared briefly as a reporter. He was relieved when Carl Gottlieb took over the script, adding humor and removing certain novel plot points like a mafia connection and an affair. Spielberg’s decision to portray a larger-than-life shark was pivotal.
Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
