Watch the Trailer for the Upcoming Bruce Springsteen Biopic

The first trailer for the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere has arrived.

The movie, scheduled to debut on October 24th, features Jeremy Allen White portraying the role of the Boss. He is joined by Jeremy Strong as his manager, Jon Landau, Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s father, Gaby Hoffmann as his mother, and Johnny Cannizzaro as Steven Van Zandt. This film is inspired by the 2023 book “Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska,” delving into the timeframe when Springsteen penned and produced his renowned 1982 album.

You can watch the trailer below.

Jeremy Allen White Met With Bruce Springsteen

Back in early April, I was thrilled to witness the unveiling of the trailer at CinemaCon in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. As a die-hard cinephile, it was an honor to be there as White proudly revealed, through The Hollywood Reporter, that working on this film has been an “incredible, challenging, and dream-come-true” experience for him. He further expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel incredibly fortunate. We all had Bruce’s blessing on this project.

Strongly stated, the journey shared by Landau and Springsteen in real life is remarkably beautiful and unmatched in the annals of music.

In the chilly month of November 2024, I found myself standing on the bustling set of “Deliver Me From Nowhere,” right here in the Garden State of New Jersey. Guess who dropped by? None other than the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen!

In an interview with the Telegraph in October of 2024, Springsteen stated, “Just one glance at him [White] in ‘The Bear’ was enough for me to know he was perfect for the role. He possessed that deep, inner spirit, but also carried a subtle confidence.

50 Reasons Why ‘Jaws’ Is Still Great 50 Years Later

1. John Williams’ Incredible Music

The classic movie “Jaws” is famously recognized for numerous aspects, but undeniably, John Williams’ timeless score stands out the most. As Spielberg recounts (most recently in the documentary Music By John Williams on Disney+), he was an ardent admirer of traditional symphonic film scores. In the mid-70s, John Williams was one of the rare composers who still crafted such grand, old-fashioned scores, which is why Spielberg, a fan of Williams’, enlisted his talent for scoring The Sugarland Express and subsequently Jaws.

When Williams proposed his concept for “Jaws” – a repetitive sequence of two foreboding notes – Spielberg initially believed it to be a joke. Williams defended the idea and explained why he felt the music would complement the film. Eventually, Spielberg was convinced, and now asserts that a significant portion of “Jaws'” unprecedented success can be attributed to John Williams’ iconic duhhhh-duh.

2. The PG Rating

To this day, the classic film “Jaws” holds a PG rating by the MPAA. At that time, there was no PG-13 rating, which is one reason why. If re-rated today, it would likely receive a PG-13 or even an R. Although not filled with continuous violence, the shark attacks in this movie are surprisingly gruesome and graphic, featuring decapitated heads, severed limbs, and full geysers of blood that explode from beneath the ocean’s surface. So, one might wonder how it received a PG rating?

However, the PG rating given to “Jaws” is not just intriguing but significant: It enabled the film to air on television with minimal edits – not just premium cable channels. I first watched “Jaws” when I was around 10 years old, during a Friday night broadcast on WPIX 11 in New Jersey. My parents were strict about R-rated movies, but anything that aired on TV was acceptable. Therefore, I was allowed to watch “Jaws” far too young – an experience I never forgot. And I believe many people my age have similar memories. A whole generation of budding film enthusiasts watched “Jaws” as children, and it forever altered their perception of the impact movies can have.

3. One of the Greatest Movie Posters Ever

The success of “Jaws” wasn’t due to a single aspect of its production or release; instead, it was the result of a multitude of astute decisions, one of which was the creation of the iconic poster featuring a shark emerging from the water to attack a swimmer. This artwork was crafted by Roger Kastel, and interestingly enough, it was originally designed for the paperback cover of Peter Benchley’s “Jaws.” Kastel’s art played a significant role in boosting the book’s popularity on the bestseller list. Universal Pictures found it so effective that they only made minor modifications to use it as their poster, and it proved just as successful in this new context.

4. It Has An Amazing Trailer, Too

When it comes to grabbing my attention for movie marketing, I must admit that the poster for “Jaws” often takes the spotlight. But let me tell you, its trailer is equally impressive. The trailer opens with the ominous voice of Percy Rodriguez narrating over underwater scenes, painting a chilling picture: “There exists a creature that has survived millions of years of evolution… It lives to kill, an indiscriminate eating machine with no remorse or logic. It will attack and devour anything it comes across. It’s as if God created the devil and gave it…” you guessed it, ‘jaws.’ And that’s all it took for me – I was hooked!

5. The Opening Sequence

In both the poster and trailer, they take inspiration heavily from the initial scene of ‘Jaws’, where a young woman named Chrissie (played by Susan Backlinie) goes for a swim at night, only to be devoured by an unknown sea creature – yes, you guessed it, a shark. Even after 50 years, this sequence continues to be incredibly impactful; it’s both heartbreaking and terrifying, providing the ideal setup for the movie’s formidable, yet largely hidden antagonist. (Spoiler alert: It’s a shark.)

6. Alcohol Saves a Man’s Life

In a chilling turn of events out on Amity Island’s waters, Chrissie meets her end alone due to her companion’s excessive drinking. This incident serves two purposes: first, it introduces a thread of dark humor that pervades the film Jaws, as the clumsy drunkard surviving solely because of his intoxication sets the stage for this theme. Second, and perhaps more subtly, alcohol becomes a recurring element in the movie, with many characters seen in various stages of drunkenness – even the main characters. This scene anticipates this motif and depicts Amity Island as a place where heavy drinking is commonplace.

7. The Unseen Menace

In a stroke of creative genius and good fortune, the iconic movie “Jaws” capitalized on limitations to create a masterpiece in art. The mechanical shark notoriously refused to work, forcing the crew to spend months trying to capture usable footage. With no other choice, Spielberg decided to keep the shark largely out of sight, building tension through point-of-view shots and John Williams’ ominous score.

This decision proved to be brilliant as it allowed viewers to envision the threat themselves, making it more terrifying than any on-screen depiction could be. Additionally, the absence of poor practical effects has contributed to “Jaws” being regarded as a timeless classic. Even the best mechanical shark from 1975 would have appeared dated by today’s standards. Consequently, the scarcity of the shark on screen adds to its timeless appeal. It is plausible that if the shark had functioned properly, “Jaws” might not be as widely recognized today.

8. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

In the annals of cinema, one of the most iconic lines is from the movie “Jaws,” penned by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Roy Scheider delivers an incredible performance, but it’s Verna Fields’ brilliant editing that makes the scene truly unforgettable. By expertly synchronizing the appearance of the shark, Scheider’s sudden shock, and then the delayed punchline, “You’re going to need a bigger boat,” she adds an extra layer of suspense and humor.

9. It Has Some of the Best Modern Posters of Any Film

Although it may seem impossible to surpass the Roger Kastel poster, numerous artists have still made an effort to do so, particularly from boutique labels like Mondo. Some of these modern posters are stunningly beautiful, while others are remarkably brilliant. My preferred one among them is this one crafted by Laurent Durieux.

10. Everyone Looks So Ordinary

50 years ago, the film “Jaws” was instrumental in shaping the concept of the modern blockbuster, although it may be debated whether it truly originated the idea. However, if we look back at it today, it bears little resemblance to contemporary blockbusters. It features fewer special effects and spends a significant portion of the film with its main characters confined on land before they venture out onto open water. During this time, there are suspenseful sequences interspersed with scenes where the characters engage in extended conversations about their emotions, needs, and fears. Unlike today’s superhero-centric blockbusters, these characters do not possess chiseled abs or muscular physiques. Instead, they sport unkempt beards, unsightly glasses, and soiled jackets, making them ordinary individuals. This ordinariness adds an extra layer of excitement and relatability to their journey.

11. It Turned Steven Spielberg Into “Steven Spielberg”

* Jaws wasn’t Steven Spielberg’s first foray into feature film direction; by the time he made it, he had been directing movies and TV shows for over five years. However, it was this movie that catapulted him to fame in Hollywood and led to his next high-profile projects like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Raiders of the Lost Ark, which further cemented his position as one of the most prominent directors in the industry. If Jaws had failed, or if Spielberg had asked John Williams to remove that distinctive music, or if the shark didn’t work as well as it did, we might have seen a different path for his career afterward.*

12. The Mechanical Shark Was Named Bruce

The malfunctioning robotic shark, which was famously referred to as Bruce, reportedly got its name from Steven Spielberg’s legal representative. It’s safe to say that this amusing moniker suits a fearsome film creature quite well.

13. The Shark Attacks Mentioned in the Film Are Real

Throughout the years, some marine life experts believe that the film Jaws has contributed to the public’s fear of sharks, and I think there might be some validity to this claim. Nevertheless, what makes Jaws intriguing, despite the potentially overdramatic portrayal of shark attacks, is that the historical attacks mentioned in the dialogue by the characters actually occurred. For instance, conversations between Brody and Hooper reference a 1916 attack on the Jersey shore. This incident was not fabricated for the script; four individuals were indeed killed by sharks at New Jersey beaches during that summer. Such minute details only add to the film’s chilling atmosphere.

14. The Name “Quint”

In the realm of cinema, it’s often the small details that elevate great movies to extraordinary ones. Take “Jaws,” for instance, a film brimming with such nuances. Let me share one such detail I found on IMDb: “Quint’s name is derived from the Latin word for ‘fifth.’ Quint, being the fifth character to meet his end at the jaws of the shark, following Chrissie Watkins, Alex Kintner, Ben Gardner’s disembodied head, and Michael’s sailing instructor.

15. The Tiny Body Count

Regarding Quint being the fifth shark victim in the movie “Jaws”, it may seem like a continuous barrage of carnage and shark attacks, but in reality, it’s not. (That’s why it carries a PG rating.) However, Steven Spielberg has an exceptional ability to make each attack impactful.

Discussing Quint as the fifth victim of the shark in “Jaws”, one might think the movie is all about unrelenting violence and shark attacks. In truth, it’s rated PG due to a lack of sustained violence. Yet, director Steven Spielberg skillfully ensures that each attack carries significance.

16. The Shark P.O.V Shots

In the movie “Jaws”, it’s not just about what’s visible on screen. It’s also about what remains hidden, and who gets to witness these unseen terrors. The camera angles often mimic the shark’s viewpoint, a technique used largely due to practical concerns to minimize the amount of time the character Bruce was shown. However, these perspective shots have a profound psychological effect on viewers, making them feel as if they are in the shoes of the characters portrayed. In this instance, that means experiencing the role of a ravenous shark feasting on unsuspecting victims. This eerie and covert viewing angle adds an extra layer of intrigue to the film.

17. It’s Not Just the Shark Kept Off-Screen

In my perspective, Steven Spielberg’s controlled depiction of shark attacks doesn’t merely fade when the camera moves away from the shore. He employs a comparable visual aesthetic in scenes like the autopsy of Bruce’s victim. Rather than revealing the gory details, he keeps the corpse entirely out of the frame and lets Hooper narrate an endless list of gruesome injuries. This way, the horror is left to our imagination – a chilling experience that often surpasses whatever Spielberg might have visually presented us.

18. “Wanna Get Drunk and Fool Around?”

One of the most charming small instances found in the movie “Jaws” takes place during a tranquil scene between Roy Scheider and Lorraine Gary, while their children are enjoying themselves on the beach. She playfully proposes, “Fancy getting tipsy and spending some fun time together?” To which he responds with enthusiasm, “Oh yes, absolutely!” Interestingly, despite all the discussions about how “Jaws” shaped modern blockbusters, scenes like this intimate, flirtatious moment would be highly unlikely to be included in a blockbuster movie today.

19. John Williams’ Score Is Sometimes a Clue to What Will Happen

Recognizing John Williams’ score in Jaws triggers an adrenaline rush, making it seem like the shark is about to strike at any moment. Director Spielberg skillfully toys with this anticipation throughout the movie. For instance, there’s a scene where Williams’ score is absent – because no shark is present. Instead, it’s just some kids playing around as if they were the shark. If you’re attentive to the music, you might even realize this trick before the Amity police do.

20. Beware Pruny Fingers

In the movie Jaws, there’s a darkly humorous moment when Alex Kitner meets his unfortunate end. Before he dies, he asks his mother if he can stay in the water for a while longer. She checks his fingers to see if they’re wrinkled, and grants him an extra 10 minutes. Unfortunately, poor Alex is dead within five.

In essence, in the perspective of Jaws, all those times our moms told us to get out of the water because we were getting pruny, they were right. If you stay in the water after your fingers wrinkle, as Jaws suggests with a chilling glint in its lifeless black doll’s eye, you will perish.

21. The Dolly Zoom

Experiencing Alex Kitner’s untimely demise in “Jaws” immortalized one of cinema’s most striking and iconic moments. As the narrative unfolds, the camera zooms relentlessly into Roy Scheider’s expressive features, giving the illusion that the scenery is shifting around him. This captivating effect is technically known as a “dolly zoom,” achieved by simultaneously extending the lens and moving the physical camera inward. So profoundly etched in our collective memory is this shot that it has been affectionately dubbed “The Jaws Shot” by many film enthusiasts.

22. The Moving Pier Scene

In the classic movie Jaws, there are numerous memorable scenes that sometimes overshadow each other due to more famous sequences like the yellow barrels. While everyone discusses these iconic moments, they often forget about the scene where a group of inexperienced fishermen attempt to catch the shark. During this sequence, the shark nearly consumes one of them while dragging half a fishing pier behind him. As the pier breaks apart, one man frantically tries to climb the remaining pieces, with the rest of the pier floating ominously towards him – signaling that the shark is getting closer and closer. Remarkably, in this instance, the fisherman narrowly escapes just before disaster strikes. Unfortunately, many other residents of Amity are not as fortunate.

23. The Killer Shark Arcade Game

A delightful detail includes the opening scene showing Amity beaches brimming with activity, complete with someone engrossed in an antique arcade game titled “Killer Shark.” At first glance, it seems like a clever wink from Jaws, but in reality, this game was genuinely produced by Sega during the early era of video games. (To be precise, it is classified as an “electro-mechanical hunting game,” not a conventional video game.)

24. Mrs. Kintner’s Speech

In a nutshell, ‘Jaws’ became a timeless classic not just due to its gripping thriller aspect. Its unique blend of horror, humor, suspense, and fear with deep emotional impact, particularly in the poignant scene where Mrs. Kintner, mother of the boy whose fingers were nipped by Jaws, confronts Chief Brody for keeping the beaches open after a girl had been attacked by a shark a few days earlier, sets it apart. This scene underscores the tragic undertones of an otherwise exhilarating and occasionally comical narrative. (It’s worth noting that Brody was compelled to do so due to pressure from the mayor.)

25. “Give Us a Kiss”

In an additional touching moment from the movie: The night following Mrs. Kintner’s chilling speech, Brody is at home with his son, who copies his tired mannerisms. The interaction ends with Brody asking for a kiss from his son, to which the boy queries why. Brody responds, “Because I need it.” This genuine scene wasn’t originally scripted; Spielberg noticed Roy Scheider playfully interacting with Jay Mello, the actor portraying his son, and chose to incorporate their banter into the final cut of the film.

26. Brody’s Glass of Wine

At Hooper’s arrival at Brody’s home with a bottle of wine, instead of using his wine glass, Brody pours his drink directly into his water glass, filling it completely to the brim, despite Hooper’s attempts to prevent him. You see, the man’s been through a lot that day – he was struck and reprimanded by a grieving widow! Hooper should consider himself fortunate that Brody didn’t just drink from the bottle instead.

27. When In Doubt, Shoot in the Pool

In the movie “Jaws,” the instant when Ben Gardner’s decapitated head emerges from a gap in his boat is one of its most effective jump scares. However, this scene was actually reshot by Steven Spielberg in Verna Fields’ swimming pool, as he felt that the initial version lacked sufficient fright factor. To create a spooky atmosphere reminiscent of the Atlantic Ocean, the crew added milk to Fields’ pool, using it as an affordable yet effective means to simulate the murky depths of the sea. This simple trick turned out to be surprisingly effective in generating shock among viewers.

28. “Cage Goes in the Water…”

While Brody and Hooper are preparing the Orca for their shark expedition, Quint notices a cage Hooper is bringing on board and looks at it warily. The old sailor then says, “The cage goes into the water… you go into the water… the shark’s in the water… our shark.” This line conveys his doubt without needing further explanation. Instead, Quint decides to sing a mocking version of the sea shanty “Spanish Ladies.” This scene from Jaws is one of many memorable instances that highlight the dynamics between the characters, rather than focusing on shark attacks.

29. Its Unique Structure

In almost every screenwriting guide, it’s suggested that writers adhere to a three-act structure: setup, confrontation, and resolution. However, the iconic film “Jaws” distinguishes itself from its numerous counterparts by employing an uncommon two-act structure. The initial act is primarily focused on events happening on land, where Brody investigates shark attacks and subsequently enlists Hooper and Quint. The second half commences with a chilling shot of the Orca being spotted through the jaws of a shark trophy in Quint’s cabin. The remainder of the movie unfolds entirely within the tense and confined spaces of the Orca, even though it still features conflict, confrontation, and resolution – just not in the typical arrangement seen in most Hollywood films.

30. Say Goodbye to Amity

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, Steven Spielberg’s daring decision in “Jaws” is noteworthy. Unlike other films where the threat continues to haunt the familiar locales even after it departs from the mainland, Amity is left untouched in this cinematic masterpiece. There are no more scenes of Lorraine Gary worrying at home or anxious swimmers on the beach. Even though the shark appears to prowl the shallows around the island, once our heroes, Brody, Hooper, and Quint, embark on their journey, land becomes a distant blur on the horizon. This isolation lends an almost mythic quality to their struggle, making it a solitary battle between man and the monstrous shark.

31. Richard Dreyfuss’ Plastic Cup Crush

As “Jaws” unfolds into an intense struggle between the Orca and the white shark, it manages to retain its light-hearted tone. Initially, Quint and Hooper harbor mistrust towards each other’s expertise and techniques, which is evident in their early interactions, such as the scene with the shark cage and “Spanish Ladies.” Following their departure from Amity, Quint swigs from a beer can and crushes it, to which Hooper responds by crushing his own plastic cup.

In the movie “Jaws,” while the story becomes an exciting fight between the Orca and the shark, it keeps its funny side. At first, Quint and Hooper don’t trust each other much, and this is clear in their early scenes together, like the one with the shark cage and “Spanish Ladies.” After they leave Amity, Quint drinks from a beer can and crushes it, and then Hooper smashes his plastic cup too.

32. Foreshadowing the Shark’s Demise

Not long after the main characters embark on the Orca, Brody nearly causes an explosion by knocking over a cluster of compressed air tanks. Hooper cautions him, “Mess with these tanks, and they’ll explode!” Predictably, this is how Brody ultimately destroys the shark in the dramatic finale. Stupidly, Bruce tinkers with those tanks (one jams in his mouth), and it does indeed detonate (following Brody’s gunshot).

33. Speaking of Foreshadowing…

In the movie, the compressed air tanks aren’t the only instance of foreshadowing. Quint, in his very first dialogue, hints at his own demise. He makes this prediction when he interrupts the Amity meeting about the shark emergency, where he offers to catch and kill the shark with a long speech. During this speech, he warns that catching the shark won’t be easy because it’s not like fishing for bluegills and tommycods. Instead, he says, “This shark will swallow you whole… This shark, after shaking you a bit and tenderizing you, you’ll go down.” And, as Quint had predicted, when Jaws starts sinking the Orca, there’s indeed some shaking, some tenderizing, and then Quint goes down into the shark’s toothy maw.

34. The Barrels

In the second half of the movie “Jaws,” Spielberg and his team cleverly circumvented a malfunctioning mechanical shark by using yellow buoyant barrels instead. These barrels were attached to roped harpoons that the shark dragged around the Atlantic Ocean. The intention was for the barrels to slow down or even stop the shark by bringing it back to the surface, but no matter how many times they were jabbed at Bruce (the name given to the mechanical shark), he just kept swimming relentlessly.

These barrels played several roles in the film. On a practical level, they ensured that Jaws remained an active participant in the story despite the malfunctioning mechanical shark. Visually, they stood out against the gray and blue backdrop of the ocean, making them easy to spot. As they accumulated, they also underscored the immense size and power of the shark without requiring frequent appearances.

35. The U.S.S. Indianapolis Speech

In a moment of relaxation during the shark hunting expedition, the Orca team share several rounds of drinks, which loosen Quint up enough to discuss his deep-seated hatred for sharks. As a survivor of the sunken U.S.S. Indianapolis, a real Navy cruiser torpedoed during World War II, he had witnessed firsthand the brutal attacks by sharks that targeted survivors in the water around the shipwreck. The Indianapolis speech, delivered poignantly by Shaw, underscores Spielberg’s ability to create intense fear of sharks without depicting any violence onscreen. However, the exact origin of the speech is a topic of debate among those involved in its creation, including Howard Sackler, who wrote an early draft of the script, John Milius, who fleshed out Sackler’s initial version, and Shaw himself, a prolific writer of novels, plays, and screenplays.

36. Scheider’s Legit Scar

In the Indy-related sequence, an impactful moment occurs when Quint and Hooper exchange tales of their sea battles, leaving Brody, fearing open waters, hesitant to even step into the ocean until forced by the shark hunt. During this exchange, Brody reveals his own scar, a result of an appendix removal, which was a genuine scar, not a prop added for dramatic effect.

37. When Great Shark Footage Contradicted the Script, They Rewrote the Script

In Peter Benchley’s novel “Jaws”, it is Brody who survives, while Hooper is the first to meet his end when he goes into a shark cage underwater. The shark attacks and dismantles the cage, consuming Hooper piece by piece. This was also intended for the movie version, but the team responsible for filming a real shark attacking a shark cage came back with unplanned footage. The shark became entangled in the cage’s cables, then violently thrashing about, destroying the cage while the stand-in for Hooper in the scene managed to swim away safely. This conflicted with the script, but the stunning footage (with the mechanical shark often appearing damaged in the movie) was so impressive that they decided to alter the ending. In this new version, the shark destroys the cage, Hooper escapes and seeks shelter underwater, only resurfacing after Brody has killed their aquatic enemy.

38. Quint’s Death Was Improved In Rewrites

In the story, Quint meets his grisly end when he becomes entangled in a rope connected to the shark, causing him to be pulled underwater and drowned. While this was somewhat emotional, it wasn’t quite as impactful for Spielberg’s vision. Instead, Quint is devoured by the shark named Bruce, leaping onto the boat Orca. This death scene, filled with blood and intensity, is one of the most memorable in any PG-rated film. Shaw fights valiantly but ultimately succumbs to the beast before his lifeless body is dragged into the ocean by the colossal fish. Truly a bleak end, and for those who watched this movie as children, it remains hauntingly unforgettable.

39. “Smile you son of a b—!”

In the realm of hard-boiled one-liners, “Smile you son of a b!” from the movie “Jaws” is highly esteemed. The line is impressive, but it’s not so far-fetched that it seems improbable for a man fighting for his life against a shark to utter it. (He needs the shark to open its mouth so he can shoot the compressed air tank lodged within!)

In the world of tough talk, the line “Smile you son of a b!” from “Jaws” is considered top-notch. Although it’s a great line, some might find it somewhat unbelievable that a person in a life-and-death struggle with a shark would actually say it. The reason being, he needs the shark to open its mouth so he can shoot the compressed air tank stuck inside!

40. The Footage of Spielberg Not Getting Nominated For an Oscar

1975’s “Jaws” made a massive impact in cinemas, eventually becoming the highest-earning film ever at that time, catapulting Steven Spielberg into stardom as one of Hollywood’s top directors almost overnight. In contrast to modern blockbusters, “Jaws” was quite a force during the 1975 Academy Awards, receiving four nominations and winning three: Best Score (John Williams), Best Editing (Verna Fields), and Best Sound.

However, Spielberg was overlooked for the Best Director category, an oversight that left him seething with frustration. This anger was evident when a camera crew captured his response to the Oscar nominations as they were announced live. On YouTube, you can see him exclaim, “Aw, I didn’t get it!” or words to that effect, expressing his disappointment at not being nominated. He was beaten out by Fellini in this instance.

Luckily for Spielberg, he was eventually recognized for his next film (“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”) and numerous subsequent projects, including wins for directing “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” In the world of awards, where competitors often profess undying admiration for one another, it’s refreshing to see someone as visibly upset as Spielberg was over not receiving a nomination for “Jaws.” Wouldn’t you feel the same if you directed “Jaws” and were then overlooked?

41. The Jaws Log

Apart from being hailed as one of the best Hollywood films ever made, “Jaws” is also the topic of one of the most outstanding behind-the-scenes book ever written: “The Jaws Log,” penned by screenwriter and actor Carl Gottlieb. During the filming, Gottlieb, who rewrote a significant portion of the movie’s script and played the minor character Meadows on camera, was privy to much of “Jaws”‘ development and near-disastrous production process. In “The Jaws Log,” Gottlieb offers a humorous and insightful account of these events, making it a must-read for any film enthusiast, regardless of whether they are fans of “Jaws” or not.

42. The Game of Jaws

Although the merchandising production for the movie “Jaws” was relatively small compared to contemporary standards, Universal and its partners created some notable “Jaws” memorabilia, with the most entertaining item being “The Game of Jaws.” In this game, players try to remove different items from a plastic shark’s mouth using a hook. If they make a mistake, the shark’s jaws (ha-ha) snap shut. The game’s absurdity, combined with its rarity, especially in good condition and complete with all pieces, has made it a sought-after collectible among “Jaws” enthusiasts. NECA recently introduced a new version of the game for the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” featuring a more accurate recreation of Bruce the Shark and screen-accurate junk, including a compressed air tank.

43. It Inspired Some Great Jaws Rides

Universal Studios quickly cashed in on their blockbuster hit, Jaws. In 1976, they incorporated a replica of Amity sets (originally filmed in Massachusetts, not California) into their tram tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. Tourists would pass by this replica before an encounter with a mechanical shark named Bruce. For a period, the original Orca boat used in the film was displayed nearby, submerged in water. However, it eventually decayed and had to be removed.

In 1990, the expanded Jaws ride became a key attraction at Universal Studios Florida. This interactive experience simulated multiple shark attacks as guests navigated through Amity on boats. It was like a blend of the Jungle Cruise and a horror movie. Unfortunately, Universal closed Florida’s Jaws in 2012 to make space for a new Harry Potter land. However, die-hard Jaws fans can still enjoy it at Universal Studios Japan.

44. The Mayor From Jaws Is Still the Mayor in Jaws 2

In the sequel, “Jaws 2”, the hapless mayor of Amity, portrayed by Murray Hamilton, continues to hold office, despite his poor decisions resulting in the loss of several swimmers’ lives. This prolonged tenure poignantly underscores a common internet meme message: “Never underestimate the impact of your vote in local elections.

45. “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water”

The sequel to “Jaws,” titled “Jaws 2,” may not have reached the heights of mastery as its predecessor, but it did make a significant mark in one aspect: It birthed one of the most impactful taglines in cinematic history. Coined by Andrew J. Kuehn, a trailblazer in the realm of film trailers who also contributed to the trailer for the original “Jaws, ” the tagline reads, “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…” This line has become synonymous with “Jaws” almost as much as any other aspect of the original film, despite being used primarily to promote its sequel.

46. Jaws Also Inspired One of the Best Bad Movies Ever

Compared to “Jaws: The Revenge,” “Jaws 2” seems almost as impressive as “Citizen Kane.” Despite being only three films into the franchise, “Jaws” had already produced one of the most amusingly terrible movies ever made. This film, with its absurd plot, poor special effects, and comedic acting, is like a twisted version of the original “Jaws,” and can be quite entertaining if you’re in the right frame of mind for it. The sequel’s storyline revolves around a shark that has been killed three times by different members of the Brody family, yet they continue to hunt its survivors out of an odd desire for revenge. This is quite ironic considering the sequel’s plot, given that the original “Jaws” was about a shark hunting humans.

47. Kid from Jaws became Martha’s Vineyard police chief

Interestingly enough, Jonathan Searle – one of the youngsters who pulled a prank on Chief Brody and others by feigning the presence of Jaws in Amity – surprisingly grew up to serve as the chief of police in Martha’s Vineyard. Here’s hoping he holds his ground when the mayor pushes for keeping the beaches accessible.

48. Almost 50 Years After First Release, Jaws Made It Back Into the Box Office Charts

Speaking of “Jaws”, even after countless airings on TV, cable, and streaming platforms, and being easily accessible for decades across various home video formats, its return to the big screen in fall 2022 managed to rake in enough money to secure a spot among the weekend’s top-grossing films at the box office.

49. It’s Inspired Multiple Stage Plays

Over the past few years, numerous stage productions have emerged focusing on the creation of the iconic film “Jaws”. Among these, a musical titled “Bruce” premiered in Seattle in 2022, inspired by “The Jaws Log” written by Carl Gottlieb. Despite not having seen it myself, I did catch another production called “The Shark Is Broken” on Broadway in 2023. This play, co-written and starring Robert Shaw’s son Ian Shaw as his father, was a humorous and heartfelt (yet multidimensional) homage to the classic film directed by Spielberg and Ian Shaw’s deceased father.

50. A Truly Great Movie Became The #1 Blockbuster Ever

For decades, the film “Jaws” has been seen as the originator of a monstrous trend within Hollywood, often praised or criticized for shaping Hollywood’s preference for large-scale storytelling and box office success. While it’s undeniable that the success of “Jaws” influenced numerous imitators, examining it 50 years later shows it shares little in common with today’s blockbusters. Most of “Jaws” is focused on intimate scenes rather than epic ones, and a significant portion of the film takes place off-shore, developing characters, their struggles, and relationships before moving towards the confrontation with Bruce – which, compared to modern standards, is still relatively small and character-driven.

In essence, “Jaws” is an effective thriller, but it offers much more than just that. If today’s blockbusters truly embodied its teachings, Hollywood would be in a healthier state, and audiences would find greater satisfaction as well.

2025-06-18 16:30