Who doesn’t love Jaws? This 1975 classic has been sending chills down swimmers’ spines for decades and is considered one of the greatest thrillers ever made. While the film made waves with its suspenseful storytelling, did you know it’s also filled with lesser-known bloopers and fascinating behind-the-scenes mishaps?
Here’s the twist — there’s a deleted scene that many fans have never seen. It features a moment so chilling it could’ve even outdone the shark itself. Intrigued? Let’s dive into the details!
The truth behind the iconic line
There are countless unforgettable scenes in Jaws, but one that stands out is when Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) is chumming the water to attract the shark. Suddenly, Jaws makes a terrifying appearance, startling Brody and prompting his now-legendary line: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
However, when Jaws was first test-screened, the audience was so shocked by the shark’s sudden reveal that they were still screaming when Scheider delivered his famous line. To ensure viewers didn’t miss the moment, Spielberg and the editors extended the scene, giving the audience a chance to calm down and refocus after the shark’s appearance. They also boosted the volume of Scheider’s voice for good measure.
According to writer Carl Gottlieb, Roy Scheider ad-libbed the unforgettable line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat,” which only adds to the spine-tingling impact of that scene.
John Williams’ eerie music
John Williams’ haunting score is one of the key elements that made Jaws a timeless classic.
However, when Williams first played his score for Spielberg, the director couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “That’s funny, John, really; but what did you really have in mind for the theme of Jaws?”
What Spielberg didn’t know at the time was that simple, iconic two-note motif would go on to become a game-changer. Spielberg later admitted that without Williams’ music, the film wouldn’t have been nearly as successful. For Williams, it marked the beginning of a legendary career.
Spielberg was rooting for the shark
While Jaws was based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel, what’s even more surprising is that the film rights were secured before the book was even published.
Producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown discovered the novel through a tip in Cosmopolitan magazine. Brown, whose wife was the editor, found a small card summarizing the plot, which ended with, “might make a good movie.”
After reading it overnight, both producers were hooked and described it as “the most exciting thing they’d ever read.” They purchased the film rights in 1973 for $175,000 (around $1.2 million today), bringing Jaws to life.
Interestingly, Spielberg admitted that when he first read the book, he was actually rooting for the shark—because the human characters were so unlikable!
Stiff drinks and shark drama
Here’s an interesting tidbit: “Jaws” had its very first screening in Dallas. Producers David Brown and Richard Zanuck were understandably nervous, worried that audiences might laugh at the mechanical shark.
“We went and had a very stiff drink,” Brown recalled in the 25th-anniversary DVD that explored the making of “Jaws”.
However, once the lights dimmed, their fears quickly dissipated. “We went into the theater, and the screams started, and they never stopped. We were pinching each other. It was incredible.”
To date, across all its releases, “Jaws” has earned an impressive $476.5 million worldwide.
Robert Shaw: Robbed of an Oscar?
Many believe Robert Shaw was unjustly denied an Oscar for his unforgettable performance in “Jaws”. From the very first moment he appears on screen, Shaw commands the audience’s attention. His intensity is palpable, yet he also brings surprising depth of emotion, especially in the iconic “USS Indianapolis” speech.
The monologue, in which Shaw’s character, Quint, recounts the traumatic sinking of the USS “Indianapolis”, stands as one of the most chilling and powerful moments in film history.
Who wrote the USS Indianapolis speech in “Jaws”?
The debate over who penned the iconic “USS Indianapolis” speech in “Jaws” remains unresolved. While playwright Howard Sackler initially conceived the idea, screenwriter John Milius was tasked with expanding it, ultimately creating a 10-page monologue. Director Steven Spielberg credits Milius for the words, but Robert Shaw’s contributions in editing the speech made it the hauntingly powerful scene it became. However, co-screenwriter Carl Gottlieb argues that it was Shaw himself who wrote the final version.
The Legendary USS Indianapolis Speech: The Untold Story
“Somehow, the mythology was that Milius wrote that speech, but there were 10 versions of that speech, including my own,” said Carl Gottlieb, co-screenwriter of “Jaws”. The speech, which would go down as one of the most chilling moments in cinematic history, was crafted collaboratively. After receiving multiple drafts, Robert Shaw made the iconic speech his own.
Gottlieb recalled a pivotal moment: “One night, while we were all at dinner, Shaw came in with a handful of paper and said, ‘I think I have the pesky speech licked.’” Shaw then performed it for the table, leaving everyone in awe. Steven Spielberg immediately declared, “That’s what we’re shooting.”
Shaw’s Memorable Performance: Drunk on Set
When it came time to film the famous “USS Indianapolis” monologue, Shaw tried to deliver it while drunk, believing that the late-night scene called for it. However, nothing from that take could be used. Realizing his mistake, Shaw called Steven Spielberg later that night, expressing regret and asking for another chance. The next day, Shaw nailed the speech in one flawless take, delivering an electrifying performance that cemented Quint as one of the most memorable characters in film history.
Tension Between Shaw and Dreyfuss
Despite his immense talent, Robert Shaw’s struggles with alcohol created tension on the “Jaws” set. According to Roy Scheider, Shaw was a “perfect gentleman whenever he was sober,” but “all he needed was one drink and then he turned into a competitive son-of-a-bitch.”
“The Jaws Log” by Carl Gottlieb reveals that Shaw frequently had a drink between takes, and at one point, he admitted, “I wish I could quit drinking.” This personal struggle contributed to some on-set friction, particularly between Shaw and co-star Richard Dreyfuss, with whom he had a famously difficult relationship.
The Tension Between Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss: A Bitter Rivalry on Set
The “Jaws” set was no stranger to tension, especially between Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss. One incident during filming shocked the crew when Dreyfuss grabbed Shaw’s drink and tossed it into the ocean. Shaw, visibly upset, didn’t let the slight slide and, from then on, made Dreyfuss’s life difficult.
Shaw allegedly taunted Dreyfuss relentlessly, offering him $1,000 to climb the 70-foot mast of the boat and jump into the ocean, calling him a coward each time he refused. The taunting escalated to a boiling point when Shaw sprayed Dreyfuss with a fire hose. Furious, Dreyfuss stormed off the set, declaring, “That’s it. I don’t want to work with you anymore. Go fuck yourself.”
Despite the bitter rivalry, the tension between the two actors only added to the intensity of the film, with their real-life friction reflected in their on-screen performances.
The Tragic End of Robert Shaw and a Heartwarming Reunion
Robert Shaw’s sudden passing in 1978, at the age of 51, left a void in the film industry. The actor, best known for his chilling portrayal of Quint in “Jaws”, died from a heart attack in Ireland. He was driving when he suddenly fell ill, pulled over, stepped out of the car, and tragically collapsed on the roadside.
Shaw’s co-star Roy Scheider, who portrayed Chief Brody, also passed away in 2011 after battling cancer for nearly two years, marking the loss of another beloved “Jaws” actor.
The Alex Kintner Sandwich: A Heartwarming Reunion
Years after “Jaws” was released, a surprising reunion took place. Lee Fierro, who played Mrs. Kintner, walked into a seafood restaurant and spotted an “Alex Kintner Sandwich” on the menu. Curious, she mentioned to the staff that she had once played the mother of the character Alex Kintner, a boy killed by the shark. To her astonishment, Jeffrey Voorhees, the actor who portrayed Alex, emerged from the back of the restaurant.
It was a heartwarming reunion for the pair, who hadn’t seen each other since filming the iconic and heartbreaking scene in the film. Their connection was rekindled through the quirky menu item, bringing them together after all those years.
The Deleted Scene from “Jaws” That Was Too Much for the Screen
One of the most shocking and disturbing moments in “Jaws” is the death of young Alex Kintner. It’s a scene that still resonates with viewers for its raw intensity. But did you know there was a deleted scene that showed the death in full? This footage, which would have further amplified the terror, was ultimately cut from the film — a decision that kept the suspense high without fully showing the gruesome event. This deleted scene remains a haunting “what if” in “Jaws” history.
The Original Plan for Alex Kintner’s Death and the Mechanical Shark’s Struggles
In the original plan for “Jaws”, the death of Alex Kintner was meant to be even more intense. The scene would show the shark breaking the surface and devouring Alex. A doll representing Alex was supposed to float among the bathers, with the shark leaping out of the water to grab the doll and the raft in its mouth.
However, as often happened with the mechanical shark, things didn’t go as planned. The shark malfunctioned multiple times — either coming out of the water too high, too low, or completely missing the raft altogether. After several attempts, the shark finally succeeded in grabbing the raft and rolling over on its side, replicating the behavior of a real shark.
This take, which captured the natural movement of the shark, was the one director Steven Spielberg ultimately chose to use in the final film, contributing to one of “Jaws”’ most unforgettable and suspenseful moments.
The Truth Behind the Alex Kintner Scene in “Jaws”
While the original plan for the Alex Kintner death scene involved the shark visibly grabbing the boy, the final film’s depiction was quite different. Producers grew concerned that showing the shark with Alex in its mouth would be too disturbing and could harm the film’s PG rating. As a result, director Steven Spielberg and editor Verna Fields decided to trim the beginning of the shot, leaving only a brief glimpse of the shark’s fins as it flipped over.
Several theories suggest why the full scene was cut. One possibility is the ongoing malfunctions with the mechanical shark, which forced Spielberg to keep the creature hidden for much of the film. This approach heightened the suspense, as audiences were left to imagine the terror lurking beneath the water. Another theory posits that the scene was simply too graphic for the audience, and Spielberg didn’t want to reveal the shark too early, maintaining the film’s tension.
Though no full footage of the deleted scene exists, brief snippets can be seen in a documentary on the *Jaws* Blu-ray, leaving fans to speculate about the lost moments.
Orca – The Mystery Boat in “Jaws”
Quint’s infamous shark-hunting boat, the “Orca”, is iconic for more than just its name. The boat has a few interesting and mysterious details that might escape most viewers on a first watch.
For example, when the crew sets out to hunt the shark, there are five yellow barrels on the “Orca”. But after successfully getting the third barrel into the shark, Quint walks past the remaining barrels—surprise—there are still three left! It’s a fun little blooper that sneaks by.
Another noticeable inconsistency involves the word “ORCA” on the back of the boat. If you pay close attention, the name keeps changing from shot to shot, shifting from rusty to shiny. As for Quint’s machete that he jams into the side of the boat? It mysteriously appears and disappears throughout the film, adding another quirky detail to the mix.
The Cherry Tree Goof
In addition to the boat’s oddities, there’s also a plant-related mistake. At the beginning of “Jaws”, a cherry tree is shown in full bloom. However, the film is set in July, and cherry trees typically bloom in May. It’s a subtle but interesting error that only the most observant viewers might catch!
