Before the movie Jaws became a landmark in film history and the first major American “summer blockbuster,” director Steven Spielberg, at just 26 years old, was on the verge of potentially making his last film. Spielberg ventured to shoot his second film, a thriller about a killer shark, on the east coast island of Martha’s Vineyard, a decision that he thought could be the end of his career in filmmaking.
Spielberg took the ambitious risk of shooting an entire Hollywood production in the Atlantic Ocean with a mechanical shark. As he discussed with the press at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, where an exhibit marking Jaws’ 50th anniversary is set to open, Spielberg reflected on how he was almost certain that he would never direct again due to the film’s challenging production. The movie Jaws, which ended up winning numerous Oscars, including for its legendary suspense scenes by film editor Verna Fields and composer John Williams’ unforgettable theme, went on to cement Spielberg’s legacy as one of the most influential directors in American cinema.
However, during filming in 1974 on Martha’s Vineyard, it was anything but certain that Jaws would become a success; in fact, finishing the film was even in doubt. The on-location shoot in the ocean led to massive budget overruns and delays due to constant issues with the shark, weather, currents, and regattas. Spielbierg admitted that he never got seasick, claiming he was too busy worrying about the production to feel ill.
The film faced many challenges, including technical difficulties with animatronic sharks, dubbed “Bruce” after Spielberg’s lawyer, and problems related to sailboat races disrupting the wide-lens ocean shots. These regattas couldn’t be edited out of the film due to the limitations of 1974 technology, forcing the team to wait on production.
Despite all these hurdles, Spielberg and his crew persevered, due in part to the strong bond and camaraderie among the team members. His decision to shoot on location proved crucial to the film’s artistic impact, as it lent authenticity to the movie’s setting in the ocean, making audiences feel they could potentially encounter the shark in real life.
The latest exhibit at the Academy Museum highlights not only the delicious challenges and peculiar influences on the making of Jaws but also the unforeseen legacy Spielberg has created with this film that celebrates its 50th anniversary. Spielberg expressed his awe at the more than 200 artifacts displayed in the exhibit, questioning how these items were preserved and showcasing the incredible work of the museum curators.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/12/steven-spielberg-jaws-film-50
