"Jaws" From Shark Attack on Set to Summer Blockbuster Legend

How Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ Endured a Hellish Production to Become Hollywood’s First Summer Blockbuster

The story of how Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" came to be is legendary. It's a tale of perseverance, a young director's vision, and a whole lot of things going wrong. But from that chaos emerged a film that not only terrified audiences but fundamentally reshaped the landscape of Hollywood filmmaking.

Imagine the stress: You're 27 years old, directing your first major feature, and you keep hearing the same dreaded words crackle over the walkie-talkie: "The shark's not working." This was the reality for Steven Spielberg on the set of "Jaws." The mechanical marvel that was meant to be the film's star was proving to be incredibly unreliable.

The production was plagued by issues:

• More than 100 days behind schedule.
• The budget doubled to $8 million – a massive sum at the time.
• Rumors of studio shutdown swirling around the set.

As Jeffrey Kramer, who played a sheriff's deputy in the film, remembers, "We didn’t know how they were ever going to finish this movie. There were rumors all around the set that the studio was going to shut us down."
Spielberg, despite the immense pressure, remained focused. Carl Gottlieb, the film's co-writer, observed, "His nails were bitten to the stubs, but that was the only manifestation of his nerves. Steven knew he needed to lead by example. That meant concentrating on his job and keeping his cool even when everything around him was going to hell."

And things truly went to hell. Shooting on the open water near Martha's Vineyard, intended for authenticity, turned into a nightmare:

• Pleasure boats constantly drifted into shots.
• Unpredictable waves and weather made continuity a near impossibility.
• Widespread seasickness among the cast and crew.
• Tensions flared between actors, particularly Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss.

Even Spielberg himself admitted to Time, "'Jaws' should never have been made. It was an impossible effort."

Yet, against all odds, "Jaws" was completed and released in 1975. And it wasn't just a success; it was a phenomenon. The film earned a staggering $260.7 million in its initial release, becoming the highest-grossing movie in history at the time.

"Jaws" didn't just break box office records; it redefined how Hollywood approached filmmaking. It established the concept of the summer blockbuster – a high-concept, heavily marketed film designed to appeal to a broad audience. It paved the way for movies like "Star Wars," "Jurassic Park," and "The Avengers."

Eli Roth, the director of "Hostel," aptly states, "This movie changed cinema, and you still can’t go to a summer blockbuster or to the beach without thinking about it. So much of the language of cinema comes from this film. [Spielberg] created all of it."

"Jaws" is considered a masterpiece not just for its thrills but for its masterful use of suspense. The editing, music, and camera angles all work in perfect harmony to create a feeling of dread and paranoia. It tapped into our primal fears of the unknown lurking beneath the surface.

Steven Soderbergh sums it up perfectly: "It’s a great story of what Steven Spielberg accomplished by surviving what was a nightmare. If that person hadn’t made it, it probably wouldn’t have been made at all. It certainly wouldn’t be a classic."

Even today, "Jaws" remains a touchstone for filmmakers. Jason Blum, founder of Blumhouse, notes, "When directors bring us ideas, ‘Jaws’ is still referenced as much as any other movie. Even young filmmakers say, ‘It’s going to be like the shark in “Jaws.”’ That’s incredible for a film that’s 50 years old."

The studio initially underestimated "Jaws," viewing it as just another B-movie. But as test screenings revealed the audience's electrifying reactions, Universal realized they had something special. They poured $1.8 million into a revolutionary marketing campaign, saturating television with ads and coordinating with the book's publisher to create maximum "pre-awareness."

"Jaws" expertly blended the darker themes of the early '70s with a new desire for escapism. The film's first half reflects the cynicism of the Vietnam era, while the second half embraces spectacle and adventure. Spielberg streamlined the source material, focusing on the core conflict of three men against a terrifying force of nature.

The film's impact goes beyond the scares and the spectacle. The USS Indianapolis monologue, masterfully delivered by Robert Shaw, stands as a powerful testament to human trauma and the bonds forged in the face of adversity.

"Jaws" not only launched Spielberg's career but also left a lasting impact on him. In fact, he has stated that he has avoided directing many water-based pictures since the making of Jaws as he was terrified.

"Jaws" serves as a powerful reminder that even the most troubled productions can yield extraordinary results. It is a classic example of how vision, determination, and a little bit of luck can transform a nightmare into a masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences and inspire filmmakers generations later. It's a story of how one shark changed everything.

Tags: Jaws, Steven Spielberg, Movie, Film, Shark, Production, Behind schedule, Budget, Jeffrey Kramer, Set

Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/features/jaws-50th-anniversary-steven-spielberg-summer-blockbuster-1236436040/