Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, directed by Laurent Bouzereau, is streaming on Jio Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar) and features interviews with Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, and Jordan Peele.
A film on the brink
Steven Spielberg wasn’t Spielberg yet when ‘Jaws’ came his way. He was a 26-year-old with one theatrical feature (‘The Sugarland Express’) under his belt and a TV movie (‘Duel’) that had earned him praise. He had no idea what he was going to do next—his UFO project (which would eventually become ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’) was just an idea in his head. Then, on a casual visit to producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown’s office, he spotted a galley proof of a novel titled ‘Jaws.’ He assumed it was about dentistry. Thankfully, he flipped through it. What he found was an irresistible blend of horror, man vs. nature, and human drama. He was hooked. What followed, though, was anything but smooth sailing.
The shoot from hell
The documentary gives us a candid, often jaw-dropping look at the nightmare that was Jaws’ production. Spielberg himself admits he felt like a sword was hanging over his head the entire time. The mechanical sharks—which were meant to be the star of the film—simply refused to work on most days. Shooting took place on the open ocean, a decision that added realism but also chaos. Weather delays, sinking boats, and malfunctions became routine. The cast didn’t make things easier.
Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss clashed constantly. Their on-set rivalry, however, miraculously translated into a potent tension on screen. The film was supposed to wrap in 60 days. It ended up taking a lot more. And yes, it went way over budget. So much so that one unnamed Hollywood actor even turned up on set and told Spielberg to his face that he was “irresponsible with money.” Spielberg was confident that this film would end his film career.
Building a monster and a movie
One of the documentary’s strongest suits is how meticulously it pieces together the contributions of the unsung heroes. Joe Alves, the production designer, is rightly credited for building the terrifying shark—nicknamed Bruce after Spielberg’s lawyer Bruce Ramer. Alves tested versions in three different sizes: 18, 26, and 32 feet. Spielberg settled on 26. And despite the creature’s refusal to cooperate, Bruce became a star. Ironically, because the shark barely worked, Spielberg had to shoot around it—which made it all the more terrifying. Then there’s the script. Peter Benchley, who authored the novel, took the first crack at the screenplay. Howard Sackler, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, brought structure, while Carl Gottlieb, a friend of Spielberg’s, brought in wit and inserted himself into the film in a small role. The docu touches on all of this, giving viewers a real sense of the collaborative chaos behind the scenes. Even the book’s title was a family effort. Benchley and his family struggled with ideas—“Leviathan Rising,” “The Terror of the Deep”—before finally settling on the single-syllable punch of “Jaws.” The iconic cover art by Roger Kastel, originally made for the book, became the face of the film.
More than just a shark movie
What truly elevates this documentary is how it captures the film’s heart. Spielberg says, “Jaws is more of a people picture than a shark movie.” And he’s right. The shark may have brought people to the theatre, but it’s the trio of Brody, Hooper, and Quint and several local actors that kept them there. The docu uses rare behind-the-scenes photos, production diaries, and grainy set footage to reinforce this point—it transports us to Martha’s Vineyard, where Spielberg and his team turned a quiet resort into cinematic legend. We also hear from the local cast members, the extras, and the townspeople who shaped the authenticity of Amity. Casting director Shari Rhodes deserves credit here for choosing only eight professional actors, who flew from Hollywood, leaving the rest to real locals. Their presence adds a lived-in texture to the film that would have been impossible to fake. The film also folds in voices of reverence and awe. Directors like James Cameron, Jordan Peele, Guillermo del Toro, Steven Soderbergh, and Quentin Tarantino speak about the film with unfiltered admiration. Each calls it a “perfect” film—not just in its thrills, but in its influence on storytelling, pacing, and audience manipulation.
Legacy of fear and wonder
The documentary closes with a sobering look at the cultural wave ‘Jaws’ created—ushering in the era of the summer blockbuster, forever changing studio marketing, and launching Spielberg into the stratosphere. But its influence went beyond cinema. It terrified an entire generation into staying out of the water, inspired conservation efforts, and redefined what audiences could expect from a thriller.
There’s also a bittersweet moment when we learn that Martin Scorsese would visit Spielberg on set just to sit silently, feeling sorry for his struggling friend. That Spielberg could turn that disaster into a billion-dollar milestone is nothing short of miraculous. If you're a cinephile, this documentary is a front-row seat to history. And if you're just someone who loves a good story about the underdog triumphing against all odds, this is for you too.
Rating: 4/5
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