“At Least You’re Not Spielberg in ‘74”: JAWS at 50
by Charlotte Lefkowitz
“Oh, I didn’t get it!” laments a young Steven Spielberg. It’s 1976 and the 28 year-old didn’t receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director for Jaws, his third feature film and his first to ever receive acclaim from audiences, critics, and awards bodies. He’s disappointed, and why wouldn't he be? 2 years prior he arrived in Martha’s Vineyard to shoot a film about a killer great white shark. At the time, the script, the cast, and even the shark were incomplete. Perhaps the rocky beginning was a sign of the bad times to follow. The film went nearly $5 million over budget and 100 days over schedule. The cast were constantly seasick and drunk. The mechanical shark (named “Bruce” after Spielberg's lawyer) was constantly breaking down. By the end of the shoot, Spielberg thought that he would never work again. 33 films, 2 Oscar wins for Best Director, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom later, it is clear that he was wrong. Spielberg has grown to love the film, looking back on his naive younger-self with humour and mild self-effacement.
He’s not the only one who grew to love the film over time. The first time I saw the film was at a sleepover in the sixth grade. My parents never let me watch horror movies and I was excited by the prospect of seeing blood and guts. Subsequently, you can imagine my disappointment when the first kill had barely any gore whatsoever. Although more carnage came later, the rate at which it was coming was not fast enough for me, especially when the rest of the film was filled with boring conversations.
Spielberg and I were probably on the same page when the film was being conceived. During that time, the production team planned on showcasing the mechanical shark more. However, “Bruce” kept breaking down and rarely worked the way Spielberg's team needed it to. So, they improvised, coming up with the idea to include POV shots from the shark’s perspective as he lurked ominously underwater. These shots, coupled with John Williams’ two-note score, have become some of the most iconic aspects of the movie. Even those who have never seen the film can still recognize the famous opening scene.
Jaws is often revered in film schools for the filmmakers’ creativity, and it is easy to see why when you consider everything that was going on behind the scenes. In the 50 years since Jaws first showed her teeth, Spielberg has gone on to create even bigger projects. Both the movie and its filmmakers have gone on to have a life of their own, but their influence on cinema cannot be denied.
