Weekend film suggestion by Chrischi
The production of the classic movie Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, faced significant challenges, most notably the malfunctioning mechanical shark, affectionately named "Bruce." Originally planned to be shot in 55 days, the production stretched to 159 days due to Bruce's unreliability.
The film, an adaptation of Peter Benchley's novel, became a worldwide phenomenon in the mid-1970s. It was set in the Long Island beach town of Amity. The main characters include Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), who had recently starred in "The French Connection"; Alex Kintner (Jeffrey Voorhees); and Quint (Robert Shaw), who had previously starred in "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3." Richard Dreyfuss was cast as young marine biologist Matt Hooper.
During the filming of the legendary Indianapolis scene, Shaw was so drunk he had to be carried to the table by the crew. Despite his alcohol problems, Shaw belittled Richard Dreyfuss when drunk but helped him with lines when sober. The tension between Shaw and Dreyfuss is noticeable in the finished film and is believed to have benefited it.
The mechanical shark, costing approximately $250,000, was not tested beforehand and had issues with saltwater motors. The other two shark puppets were rarely operational during filming. A small man was put in a smaller-than-usual shark cage to make the real shark appear larger in the film's climax.
It took over a week to get a usable shot of the shark attack scene, due to a white shark getting tangled in the line between the cage and the boat. These production difficulties contributed to the film's suspenseful style and iconic status.
John Williams created an iconic minimalistic score for the film, which gave viewers goosebumps. The film grossed a staggering $260 million in the USA alone and over $470 million worldwide, becoming the first blockbuster in film history.
Despite the challenges, the production of Jaws launched Spielberg's career and cemented its place as a classic in cinema history. (Sources: Screen Rant, YouTube behind the scenes, YouTube 10 surprising facts, TikTok NatGeoTV)
Movies-and-tv have the power to enthrall and surprise audiences, as evident in the classic Steven Spielberg film, Jaws. Set in the 1970s, this entertainment masterpiece became a worldwide phenomenon, showcasing an ensemble cast that previously starred in movies like "The French Connection" and "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3."
