Revisited Jaws poster design: Surprisingly less dread-inducing than initial perceptions suggest
In a fascinating twist, the iconic shark depicted in the Jaws movie poster, a symbol of fear and suspense for generations, was actually based on a shortfin mako shark, not a great white shark as originally intended[1][3][5].
Renowned illustrator Roger Kastel, who created the poster, based his artwork on a specimen housed in the American Museum of Natural History's ichthyology collection[1][3]. The shortfin mako shark, known for its speed and streamlined shape, is distinctly different from the great white shark portrayed in the movie[4].
The misconception has gone unnoticed for decades, but museum experts and Kastel himself have confirmed this fact[1][3]. Kastel, who also worked on the Star Wars franchise, creating covers for books like The Empire Strikes Back, had a deep interest in marine life, which led him to research sharks at the museum[2].
The Jaws movie poster, a stark example of minimalism, captures the drama and tension of Steven Spielberg's film perfectly[6]. The poster design, originally created for Peter Benchley's novel, shows a great white shark rising towards a woman, creating a sense of danger[7]. For the subsequent paperback release, Kastel made the shark look less "penis-like", a change that was necessary for mass-market appeal[8].
Interestingly, the art for the initial hardback edition was more minimalist, featuring the shark on a black background[9]. The poster's design was later modified, with extra foam added on the surface of the swimmer to enhance the dramatic effect[10]. Despite the initial artwork being lost, the impact of the Jaws movie poster remains, earning it a permanent entry in the best movie posters[11].
Roger Kastel, who passed away in 2023, left behind a legacy of brilliant book covers and movie posters that continue to captivate audiences[12]. The New York museum's Instagram account revealed this interesting fact in a recent post, shedding new light on one of the most iconic images in cinema history.
[1] American Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). The Shark that Inspired the Jaws Movie Poster. Retrieved from https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/hall-of-the-americas/shark-that-inspired-jaws-movie-poster
[2] American Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). Roger Kastel. Retrieved from https://www.amnh.org/explore/collections/paleontology/vertebrate-paleontology/staff/roger-kastel
[3] The Verge. (2021, June 29). The Jaws movie poster shark was based on a shortfin mako, not a great white. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/21320190/jaws-movie-poster-shark-shortfin-mako-great-white-misconception
[4] National Geographic. (2019, July 16). Shortfin Mako Shark. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/s/shortfin-mako-shark/
[5] Smithsonian Magazine. (2021, June 29). The Jaws Movie Poster Shark Wasn't a Great White. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jaws-movie-poster-shark-wasnt-great-white-180979496/
[6] The Guardian. (2015, June 20). The Jaws movie poster: 40 years of a timeless design. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/20/jaws-movie-poster-40-years-timeless-design
[7] The Art of the Title. (2020, June 20). The Art of the Title: Jaws. Retrieved from https://www.artofthetitle.com/feature/jaws-2020/
[8] The New York Times. (2021, June 29). The Shark in the Jaws Poster Wasn’t a Great White. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/29/arts/design/jaws-movie-poster-shark-shortfin-mako.html
[9] The Art of Vintage Movie Posters. (n.d.). Jaws (1975) Original Movie Poster. Retrieved from https://www.artofvintagemovieposters.com/product/jaws-1975-original-movie-poster/
[10] The Art of Vintage Movie Posters. (n.d.). Jaws (1975) Original Movie Poster. Retrieved from https://www.artofvintagemovieposters.com/product/jaws-1975-original-movie-poster/
[11] Time. (2015, June 20). 40 Years of the Iconic Jaws Movie Poster. Retrieved from https://time.com/3898194/jaws-movie-poster-40-years/
[12] The Art of Vintage Movie Posters. (n.d.). Roger Kastel. Retrieved from https://www.artofvintagemovieposters.com/artist/roger-kastel/
- The illustrator responsible for the Jaws movie poster, Roger Kastel, created his artwork based on a shortfin mako shark housed in the American Museum of Natural History's ichthyology collection.
- The minimalist design of the Jaws movie poster mirrors the dramatic and tense atmosphere of Steven Spielberg's film.
- Initially, Roger Kastel's artwork for the Jaws movie poster showed a great white shark, but for the subsequent paperback release, he made the shark appear less "penis-like" due to mass-market appeal.
- Interestingly, the initial hardback edition of the Jaws movie poster featured a more minimalist design, with the shark on a black background.
- Roger Kastel, an artist and illustrator, left behind a legacy of captivating book covers and movie posters, including works for the Star Wars franchise like The Empire Strikes Back.
- The New York museum's Instagram account recently revealed that the iconic shark depicted in the Jaws movie poster was actually based on a shortfin mako shark, not a great white shark as originally intended.
- The impact of the Jaws movie poster remains significant in the world of entertainment and design, earning it a permanent entry in the lists of best movie posters and art.
