Latest news with #Jaws'
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Swimmer reveals how he conquered grueling, frigid 12-day mission on ‘Jaws' anniversary to prove ‘sharks are not monsters'
A shark activist swimmer who spent 12 days swimming around Martha's Vineyard to mark the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws' revealed he broke his cardinal rule during the grueling — and frigid — 60-mile journey. Lewis Pugh, 55, had promised himself not to think about what sharks might be lurking below him as he tried to draw attention to the fact the animals are no monsters. 'There was one day when I was getting into the water and it was very, very early in the morning,' Pugh told The Post. 'The sun hadn't even risen. It was just twilight and I'm lowering myself into dark black water. 'If you've been talking about sharks all day long the day before, guess what you're thinking about when you lower yourself down that ladder?' 4 Lewis Pugh completed a swim around Martha's Vineyard on Monday to bring attention to a shark 'ecocide' on the 50th anniversary of the thriller 'Jaws.' Kevin Trautman But the 55-year-old British-South African swimmer didn't have any close encounters. 'Sharks are not monsters, they are magnificent,' he said. 'They're essential. They're seriously endangered… If you take them out, the entire ecosystem starts to collapse.' ''Jaws' has shaped the narrative about sharks for the past 50 years as cold-blooded killers out to get us, and it's created a culture of fear around the world … I felt that now was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change a narrative,' he said. . Although Pugh has completed swims in all of the world's oceans, this particular task pushed him to the limit, he said. 'It's been a long journey, it really has,' he said after the swim — which was completed Monday and comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster film from director Steven Spielberg. 'Twelve days, cold water, constant wind, waves, and then always thinking of what may be beneath me<' he said. 'It's been a big swim. A very big swim,' Pugh battled bad weather for most of the 25-hour-and-51-minute swim around the island, with the exception of gorgeous, clear skies on the first and last days of the journey, he said. 4 Pugh battled bad weather for most of the 25 hour and 51 minute swim around the island, with the exception of gorgeous,clear skies on the first and last days of the journey. Kevin Trautman And he didn't have any run-ins with sharks, but he did have many pleasant interactions with other sea creatures on calmer days. 4 Pugh said he had no run-ins with any sharks and instead had many pleasant interactions with other sea creatures on calmer days. Kevin Trautman 'On a number of occasions, seals would pop up and be looking at me and birds would be diving into the sea to eat fish. What a joy, what an utter joy,' he said. Pugh — who has been named a United Nations Patron of the Oceans and often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — will now work to convince world leaders to act on what he described as an 'ecocide' of sharks across the globe. 'The main direct threat to sharks is commercial fishing, and the data is so shocking. On average, 274,000 sharks are killed globally every day. So, 274,000 sharks a day. That's 100 million per annum,' Pugh explained. 'It's complete madness. It's an ecocide happening right now.' 4 Pugh will now work to convince lawmakers to give sharks the highest wildlife protections possible. Kevin Trautman This week, Pugh will attend an Oceans conference in France, where he will explain to environmental ministers why sharks should be granted top wildlife protections from lawmakers. The long-distance swimmer and environmentalist says he plans on doing similar swims in the future to bring attention to other ecocides, climate change, and endangered species. 'The 'Jaws 'movie was so successful. It was the music, and for the past 50 years it set the agenda, or it set the narrative, for sharks… this swim was very symbolic on the 50th anniversary. 'But I need to be doing similar campaigns in many parts of the world in Indonesia, in Australia, in South Africa, in India, in China… conservation takes time,' he said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Jaws' 50th Anniversary Documentary Sets Summer Release Date on National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, 'Jaws' is circling the boat yet again. In honor of the legendary blockbuster's 50th anniversary, National Geographic is premiering 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' in July. From 'Faye' and 'Music by John Williams' filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau, the documentary will explore the notoriously troubled shoot, its groundbreaking release, and the ripple effects the movie had on the industry and beach culture. 'Jaws @ 50' will air at 9 p.m. ET on July 10 on National Geographic and then stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. Spielberg, along with production designer Joe Alves, actors Jonathan Filley, Lorriane Gary, Carl Gottieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Jeffrey Voorhees, and composer John Williams are all interviewed. The documentary will also feature insight from high-profile fans and filmmakers, including Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, Emily Blunt, Greg Nicotero, J.J. Abrams, George Lucas, and Guillermo del Toro. More from IndieWire 'King of the Hill' Creators and Cast Share Revival Details: 'A Whole World of Things to Annoy Hank' Why Netflix Moved on from 'CoComelon' - and How It Hopes to Replace It in the Kids Programming Wars Soderbergh told IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit podcast in January that he was working on an 'inside baseball' book, intended just for filmmakers, on the 'Jaws' production. 'After they've done all the land shooting, and they get out into the ocean … it starts to go bad,' Soderbergh said. 'As a filmmaker, reading these logs and these descriptions, it's excruciating, it's painful. I know what it's like to have things not happening [right], but this is on a level that is just mind-blowing.' The chaotic 'Jaws' history is perhaps best known for its malfunctioning shark. During a 1995 documentary interview, Richard Dreyfuss recalled the months-long location shoot in Martha's Vineyard. 'There were all these radio mics all over the island … so wherever you were on the island, you could hear the radio mics, and they were always saying, 'The shark is not working. The shark is not working. Repeat, the shark is not working.' No matter where you were and for months,' Dreyfuss recalled. 'Jaws @ 50' is the latest in a string of celebrations for the classic, which will culminate in the unveiling of the Academy Museum of Motion Picture's ambitious 'Jaws: The Exhibition' on September 14. In addition to 'Bruce the Shark,' the 25-foot-long full-scale shark model from the movie that has been on display since the museum's opening in 2021, 'Jaws: The Exhibition' will include numerous artifacts and rare documents related to the film, many of which come directly from Spielberg himself. 'Jaws' cost less than $9 million to produce, but it grossed over $470 million worldwide, beating out a crowded 1975 slate that also included 'Dog Day Afternoon,' 'Shampoo' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.' 'Jaws @ 50' premieres July 10 on National Geographic, and July 11 on Disney+ and Hulu. Watch the trailer below: Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Swimmer Makes 60-Mile Trek Around Martha's Vineyard Ahead of 50th Anniversary of ‘Jaws'
British-South African swimmer Lewis Pugh has spent much of his time in the murky waters inhabited by sharks. While some would balk at the idea of being in the vicinity of the underwater creatures, the endurance athlete recently took one of his most ambitious plunges yet in the hopes of shifting the public's perception of the often misunderstoond sea dwellers—a mission that comes nearly 50 years after the summer blockbuster 'Jaws' hit theaters.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Bigger Boat, Bigger Legacy! National Geographic Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Blockbuster Film Jaws With the Only Authorized Documentary, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY, Featuring Exclusive New Interviews With Director Steven Spielberg
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic's SHARKFEST wouldn't exist without the film that changed cinema - and our relationship with sharks - forever: 'Jaws.' This summer, in tribute to the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean's most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster with JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau ('Faye,' 'Music by John Williams'), the 90-minute documentary takes viewers on the ultimate deep dive, from Peter Benchley's bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is 'Jaws' and how the film continues to ripple through pop culture, cinema and shark conservation to this day. You may think you know the full story of 'Jaws' - but not until now. JAWS @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is this summer's only authorized documentary on the making of 'Jaws,' with the award-winning director himself diving back into the story that launched his career and earned him final cut on the film, a creative control he has maintained for the last 50 years. The documentary premieres July 10 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. This definitive account offers an unfiltered look at the chaos and creativity behind the making of 'Jaws,' featuring never-before-seen footage from Spielberg's and Benchley's personal archives, including home videos and rare outtakes. Through candid new reflections, Spielberg recounts the high-stakes production, from battling a malfunctioning mechanical shark and relentless weather delays to his own post-production PTSD and fears the film would end his career. The documentary also reexamines the infamous 'Jaws effect' - the wave of shark fear it unleashed - and reframes it as a legacy of awe, curiosity and enduring respect for the ocean's top predator. Complemented by brand-new interviews with cast, crew, filmmakers and shark advocates, JAWS @ 50 captures the full creative and cultural shockwaves of the first summer blockbuster. In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from original cast and crew - including Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), and composer John Williams - and a who's who of modern filmmakers and superfans - including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more - reflect on how 'Jaws' shaped their work and the cinematic landscape. Alongside cast and crew, the film also features heartfelt insights from Peter Benchley's wife, renowned voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley; their children, Tracy Benchley Turner and Clayton Benchley; and his brother, Nat Benchley, offering a rare glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind the bestselling novel that started it all. But JAWS @ 50 is more than a behind-the-scenes doc; it's a celebration of a legacy that fueled a global shark obsession and inspired generations of scientists, storytellers and ocean defenders. Through thoughtful conversations with leading marine advocates and scientists - including Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, Dr. Greg Skomal and others - the documentary explores how 'Jaws' reshaped our relationship with the ocean and helped transform public perception of sharks, turning fear into fascination and sparking real-world conservation efforts that continue today. For National Geographic, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY is produced by Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. For Amblin Documentaries, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are producers. For Nedland Films, Laurent Bouzereau and Markus Keith are producers, with Bouzereau also directing. Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling executive produce the documentary. And, for National Geographic, Tracy Rudolph Jackson and Ted Duvall executive produce. About National Geographic Content Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content's award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo, Oscar-nominated films Sugarcane, Fire of Love and Bobi Wine: The People's President, Emmy® Award-winning franchise 9/11: One Day in America and JFK: One Day in America, Emmy® Award-winning series Animals Up Close, series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, Life Below Zero, and Secrets of the Whales, in addition to multiple National Magazine Awards, Pulitzer Prize Finalists and Webby wins. Visit and or explore Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit. About Amblin Documentaries Amblin Documentaries is a division of Amblin Partners, a content creation company led by Steven Spielberg. Presidents, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey oversee all development, production, and programming for Amblin Documentaries. In addition to its award-winning, culture-defining work in the scripted space through Amblin Television, Amblin Documentaries is a producer of renowned documentary features and series such as the film 'Good Night Oppy' for Prime Video – which was nominated for seven Prime Time and News and Documentary Emmys, the Emmy-winning series 'Five Came Back' for Netflix, and 'Laurel Canyon – A Place in Time' – which received three Emmy nominations including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for its portrayal of the music scene in LA's Laurel Canyon in the 60's and 70's. Most recently, Amblin Documentaries produced 'Life on Our Planet,' 'Encounters,' and 'Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul' for Netflix as well as 'San Francisco Sound' for MGM+. Upcoming projects from Amblin Documentaries include 'Faye,' based on the life and career of Faye Dunaway, which premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, 'Bodyguard of Lies,' with the Washington Post & Alex Gibney, 'Wild, Wild Space,' with HyperObject Industries & ZPZ, and, in partnership with Imagine Entertainment, a documentary on the life and work of legendary composer John Williams. Amblin Documentaries also produced 'Strokes of Genius' – the double-Emmy nominated film about the epic rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal; and 'The Contender' – in which Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard give 16 young boxing hopefuls a shot at the big time, and which received two Emmy nominations. Other unscripted Amblin Documentaries productions include 'Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy' and HBO's 'Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind' and 'Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas. About Nedland Films / Laurent Bouzereau (Director/Producer), and Markus Keith (Producer) Laurent Bouzereau is an award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author. His films, which he co-produced with his partner Markus Keith through their production company Nedland Films, include the feature documentary Faye about legendary actress Faye Dunaway for HBO/Amblin, the award-winning documentary Music by John Williams, produced by Steven Spielberg and Amblin/Imagine, the Disney+/Lucasfilm documentary Timeless Heroes on Harrison Ford, the HBO feature documentaries Mama's Boy, based on the best-selling memoir by Dustin Lance Black, and Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, as well as the acclaimed Netflix series Five Came Back (with an Emmy winning narration by Meryl Streep), executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Amblin. Bouzereau is the author of several books on cinema, including Spielberg: The First Ten Years (2023) and The De Palma Decade (2024). About Wendy Benchley Wendy Benchley is a renowned global voice for protecting sharks and safeguarding our seas. As a scuba diver, she has witnessed dramatic changes to our ocean's wildlife and habitats; this has motivated her vigorous efforts to help shape smarter, stronger environmental and marine policies with government officials, NGOs, and other civic leaders. Based in Washington, D.C., Wendy is actively engaged in the marine policy community and supports many of the world's leading ocean & environmental philanthropies. She plays a prominent leadership role and is actively involved, as a Board member, in WildAid's highly effective and widely respected global work that reduces the demand for illegal wildlife products, including ivory, rhino horn, and shark fin. She is a Board Member of Beneath the Waves and Blue Frontier Campaign. She is also a Trustee on EDF's Advisory Board. About Laura A. Bowling Laura is a branding and strategic communications executive who has successfully led interdisciplinary creative teams for 25 years, delivering award-winning campaigns across all media platforms from corporate and nonprofit arenas. Laura has worked with some of the world's most successful companies and prestigious brands, including Procter & Gamble, Ogilvy (N.Y.C.), The Walt Disney Company, and Conservation International, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer. Laura has a deep passion for protecting the environment and social causes. She oversees a successful consulting business, based in Carmel, California, that focuses on branding, strategic communications, and development for nonprofits. She has worked closely with Wendy Benchley on all aspects of branding for the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards and on Wendy's public speaking and ocean advocacy events, publications, and press.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
20-foot shark appearance during Memorial Day event ignites viral memories of 'Jaws' moment in Rhode Island
Scene reminiscent of 'Jaws' stirs online frenzy Live Events Basking shark confirmed, not a predator A navigational error by a vulnerable giant Conservation and climate trends (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A large shark spotted in the Great Salt Pond on Block Island sparked excitement and confusion during Memorial Day weekend, as locals and tourists watched the creature swim near boats in the popular Rhode Island Atlantic Shark Institute received multiple calls on 26 May after a shark was seen gliding through the saltwater inlet. In a social media post, the institute said, 'We were treated to quite the scene, kicking off the 2025 summer season!'Jen Seebeck, a diner at Dead Eye Dick's restaurant on the waterfront, captured the moment on video as she noticed the animal's dorsal fin cutting through the water. In the background, a voice can be heard shouting, 'There's a shark in the pond!' — echoing a line from Jaws, which marks its 50th anniversary this footage shows two boaters quickly steering away as the large shark glides nearby. The Atlantic Shark Institute called it 'clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws,' in its online post. The video has since gone viral, garnering over 12 million many initially feared it could be a great white, Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, confirmed it was a basking shark. These sharks, though massive — often measuring between 15 and 20 feet — are filter feeders and pose no danger to humans.'They are harmless filter-feeders, but that wouldn't matter much if you were in the water when one came cruising by!' Dodd told CBS. 'It is the first shark that has entered the pond this season, but likely not the last!'Speaking to FOX Weather, Dodd added, 'They look very intimidating. But knowing what to look for, you can quickly tell it's not a white shark.' He explained that basking sharks often resemble great whites to the untrained eye, especially when only the dorsal fin is visible. One key difference is that basking sharks have rounded fins, while great whites have pointed to Dodd, the animal probably entered the pond by mistake. 'This guy just made a mistake,' he said. 'He must've been cruising up the west side of Block Island … and said, 'Hey, let me explore what's going on in this pond.' And found himself in the wrong place.'The shark is believed to have remained in the pond for about a day before leaving overnight when the waters were sightings aren't unusual. Basking sharks often appear off southern New England during late spring. The Atlantic Shark Institute noted that 'sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as water temperatures continue to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking.'Other species like thresher sharks and smaller makos have also been known to enter the Great Salt Pond in similar sharks are the second-largest fish species in the world, growing up to 50 feet and weighing as much as 10,000 pounds. They are listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and in some regions, considered sees the sighting as a positive indicator of marine health. 'It's a good sign,' he said, pointing to the visibility and activity of these filter-feeding giants near the Island, recently named one of the top 10 summer destinations in the U.S. by USA Today, continues to attract attention for its coastal beauty — and now, for its surprise Memorial Day visitor.'Hopefully, this shark will find its way out of Great Salt Pond soon and continue on its way!' the Atlantic Shark Institute concluded.
