Jaws is one of the greatest films ever made.  Fact

R.I.P. actress Susan Backlinie who played Chrissie, the first shark victim. She just passed away May 11, 2024 at the age of 77.

THAT DOLLY ZOOM NEVER STOPS BEING SO RAD

I once saw a person wearing a T-shirt that said "The Mayor in Jaws was still the Mayor in Jaws 2...local elections matter"  it was perfect!

The fact that Bruce, the mechanical shark, didn’t work for most of the filming, combined with John Williams' score, is what makes the movie really successful.
If Bruce worked as they wanted, the movie wouldn't have been nearly as suspenseful.

when two demographics with almost guaranteed plot armor -- kids and pets -- get viciously munched onscreen, the director's telling you nobody's safe.

One of the things I love in 'Jaws' reactions is that head in Ben Gardner's boat, nearly 50 years later, still terrifying people (with a 100% success rate so far :). Surely one of the best jump scares in cinema.

(that and basically everyone being mesmerised by Robert Shaw's delivery of Quint's USS Indianapolis monologue - the horror elements are great but it's the character moments that, for all its very 70s setting, really make this a pretty much timeless classic IMO)

Robert Shaw who played Quint was frequently drunk during the filming of Jaws, and it became one of the more famous behind the scenes stories from the production. Shaw struggled with alcoholism at the time, and according to director Steven Spielberg and co-stars Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss, Shaw often arrived on set intoxicated, particularly during the Orca cabin scenes. His drinking caused real problems like missed lines, slurred dialogue, and delays. Spielberg at one point sent him home because he was too drunk to perform. The most famous example involves Quint’s USS Indianapolis monologue. Shaw attempted to perform it while drunk and completely botched it. Spielberg shut down filming for the day. The next morning, Shaw returned stone sober and delivered the monologue in one flawless take, which is the version that appears in the film. Spielberg later said it was one of the greatest performances he ever witnessed. Despite his drinking, Shaw was a highly trained Shakespearean actor, and when sober he was extremely disciplined and professional. His alcoholism didn’t define his talent, but it undeniably complicated the shoot and contributed to tension on set, especially with Dreyfuss, whom Shaw openly antagonized. Sometimes deliberately, sometimes under the influence.

“It feels like no one’s an actor.” 💯 agree.

"Jaws" is so great because it has Everything!  It starts as a Mystery, then a Monster Film, then a Horror Film, a Chase Film, an Adventure Film and a Buddy Film!

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” was improvised. One of the greatest improvs ever.

Fun Fact: The TV reporter doing the news blurb on the beach was played by Peter Benchley, the author of the original novel Jaws.

You’re gonna need a bigger like button

Fun Fact: One of the kids who pulled the shark prank was recently named the Chief of Police of the village where Jaws was filmed.

In the hospital when the mom asks Michaud he wanted ice cream & he replied coffee he wanted coffee ice cream. In the 70s coffee flavored ice cream was very popular. My mom used to buy it often.

I met my late wife in 1975. Our first date was going to the theater and watching Jaws.

the opening scene will never lose its power! it's more impactful than 10 modern shark movies. 😮

Jaws is the film for which the word "blockbuster" was created, due to the record setting ticket cue lines.

Its funny to think that before JAWS movie studios really didn't release films in the summer (Christmas Season was the big time). They thought people would rather be outside in nice weather than in the movie theater.
JAWS was the first Summer Blockbuster and started the tradition of the Summer Movie Season for the big films.

JAWS 2 (1978) was the most anticipated sequel of the 70s. It's just as good as the original, and John Williams scores the music again. Roy Scheider is back as Chief Brody.