Movies

Jaws: Behind the scenes on Martha’s Vineyard

Actors Richard Dreyfuss (L) and Robert Shaw lean off the back of their boat, holding ropes as they watch the giant Great White shark emerge from the water in a still from the film, 'Jaws,' directed by Steven Spielberg. (Photo by Universal Pictures/Courtesy of Getty Images) Library Tag Magazine 07252010
Actors Richard Dreyfuss (L) and Robert Shaw lean off the back of their boat, holding ropes as they watch the giant Great White shark emerge from the water in a still from the film, 'Jaws,' directed by Steven Spielberg. (Photo by Universal Pictures/Courtesy of Getty Images) Library Tag Magazine 07252010 Universal Pictures

By Legacy User

2 minutes to read

  • Where it all began

    In this classic, three determined men fight to destroy a killer shark that’s prowling the waters off Amity Island.

  • The director

    A young Steven Spielberg on the set of Jaws.

  • The producer

    Richard D. Zanuck produced the record-setting film with David Brown.

  • Co-producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown on the water during fiming.

  • The Shark

    The film used a barely functional shark in Cow Bay during the filming on Martha’s Vineyard.

  • In the film, Matt Hooper, a young ichthyologist, and chief of Police Martin Brody are relieved when a tiger shark, believed to be the sea monster that has attacked bathers, is caught by bounty hunters.

  • They were wrong.

  • A swimmer, played by Ted Grossman, is attacked by a killer shark within view of children as a companion tries to save him.

  • Steven Spielberg behind the scenes during the making of Jaws.

  • Richard Dreyfuss, playing Hooper, inspects a shark caught by a bounty hunter.

  • The iconic sign for Amity Island.

  • Characters Quint, Chief of Police Brody, and Matt Hooper try to wrangle the shark.

  • Actors Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw lean off the back of their boat, holding ropes as they watch the giant Great White emerge from the water.

  • What is left of the “Orka,” the boat featured in the filming of Jaws, lies rotting on the shore of Menemsha Creek. Owned by Lynn Murphy, the boat has been picked apart by souvineer scavengers over the years. Several “Orkas” were used in the filming of the movie, but only one remains on the island. This one was used in the sinking scene where Quint was eaten by the shark.

  • Characters Mike Brody and Kathryn Morgan gasp for air while searching underwater for the killer shark.

  • Jaws II

    Cindy Grover is knocked overboard when a great white attacks and frantically tries to swin to shore.

  • Jaws II

    The shark for the movie Jaws II arrived on Martha’s Vineyard. Its swimming mechanism can be seen underneath as it entered the water for the first time.

  • Then there were four

    The film crew prepares for the production of Jaws: The Revenge.

  • Jaws IV

    The shark from the fourth movie has clearly evolved from the 1975 film, though many would argue the saga continued to get worse.

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