JAWS after 50 years

JAWS, the 1975 Steven Spielberg directed Hollywood’s Epic Blockbuster completed 50 years a couple of days ago. The film much before its release was apprehended to be a ‘Great Flop’; When “Jaws” started filming in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in 1974, all signs pointed to disaster.

The mechanical figures, meant to portray the massive white shark that was terrorising Amity Island, kept failing, delaying production and frustrating the cast and crew. Director Steven Spielberg was then just 26 and new to big-budget filmmaking. Filming on the ocean, coupled with mechanical shark problems, caused production to run late and over budget. However, perseverance, dedication & trust changed the story, demonstrating to be one of the Biggest Blockbuster in the history of World Cinema.

Jaws was nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards and won three, including one for composer John Williams’ now-iconic score. And its masterful control of suspense has inspired countless copycats.

Even 50 years after its premiere, “Jaws” still thrills audiences — and its tumultuous production is still legendary.

Amongst the crew, Roy Schneider (Sheriff); Robert Shaw (he gruff, shark-hating veteran Quint) has been called to Glory, while Richard Dreyfuss continues to struggle against ailments in an US Hospital which was reported by Maverick News 30, last week.

Team Maverick