Latest news with #Jaws@50
The Advertiser
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Before it turned out swell, Spielberg felt like he was drowning
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (M, 88 minutes, Disney+) 4 stars Half a century ago, one film swam along and changed the film industry. It sounds like a grand statement to make, but that really was the case with Jaws. The seminal Steven Spielberg thriller became the first summer blockbuster (though, of course, it was winter in our hemisphere) to break all sorts of box office records and created a cultural juggernaut the size of which had never been seen before. To mark five decades since its release, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story on Disney+ takes you back to the famously difficult production with generous archive footage and interviews from the past and present. The documentary, released under the National Geographic banner, is helmed by Laurent Bouzereau, a prolific film documentary and special features director who already delivered The Making of Jaws back in 1995. If you're a cinephile or particularly die-hard fan of Jaws, there's a good chance that most of the information in Jaws @ 50 will not come as a shock. Other documentaries over the years have delved deeply into this film, and even the most casual film fan already knows bits of trivia, like the fact the mechanical shark was named Bruce, and the film was shot on Martha's Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast. But familiarity with the content doesn't detract from the enjoyment of this film. Bouzereau has conducted new interviews with people involved with the production, their relatives, shark experts and other filmmakers who have been inspired by Jaws. It's always nice to see Spielberg talking about the film that really made his career. Before Jaws came along, the young filmmaker was an up-and-comer, impressing with made-for-TV films including the influential Duel, an action-packed thrill ride about a large truck chasing a smaller car for the length of the film. When Spielberg came across the not-yet-published galleys of Peter Benchley's novel Jaws, he thought it was just like Duel - this huge, unrelenting predator on the prowl. So he asked if he could direct the film, and when the original choice left the project, he was in. But the production was far from smooth, and nearly everything that could go wrong with Bruce the shark, did. It was designed for freshwater instead of seawater, which wreaked havoc with the mechanics. It moved the wrong way. When it finally worked, the boat sank. Spielberg spent the production - which was running significantly over budget and well beyond schedule - thinking he'd be fired, and still suffered traumatic panic attacks and insomnia for years after the film wrapped. Cast members also failed to get along - Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss particularly butted heads, and Shaw's persistent drinking didn't help matters. But most of the Jaws cast was made up of locals on the island, and it's fantastic to see how much pride those remaining cast members and islanders still have in the film production. Jaws has had a huge impact on filmmaking since its release, and industry figures like Mexican Guillermo del Toro (Oscar-winning writer-director of The Shape of Water), Jaws superfan Steven Soderbergh (Oscar-winning director of Traffic) and English actress Emily Blunt (Oscar-nominated star of Oppenheimer), who claims to have seen Jaws more than any other film, are more than happy to talk about how much the shark thriller means to them and has impacted their appreciation of cinema. What this documentary has that the others don't is the inclusion of a fully restored Bruce to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. If you're a lover of the film, it's a delight to see the huge creature craned into the museum, to be revered by all the visitors who walk through its doors. While Jaws @ 50 might not be the most eye-opening documentary if you're well-versed in the history of the film, if you've never seen a doco or featurette on Jaws, it's bound to bring you joy. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (M, 88 minutes, Disney+) 4 stars Half a century ago, one film swam along and changed the film industry. It sounds like a grand statement to make, but that really was the case with Jaws. The seminal Steven Spielberg thriller became the first summer blockbuster (though, of course, it was winter in our hemisphere) to break all sorts of box office records and created a cultural juggernaut the size of which had never been seen before. To mark five decades since its release, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story on Disney+ takes you back to the famously difficult production with generous archive footage and interviews from the past and present. The documentary, released under the National Geographic banner, is helmed by Laurent Bouzereau, a prolific film documentary and special features director who already delivered The Making of Jaws back in 1995. If you're a cinephile or particularly die-hard fan of Jaws, there's a good chance that most of the information in Jaws @ 50 will not come as a shock. Other documentaries over the years have delved deeply into this film, and even the most casual film fan already knows bits of trivia, like the fact the mechanical shark was named Bruce, and the film was shot on Martha's Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast. But familiarity with the content doesn't detract from the enjoyment of this film. Bouzereau has conducted new interviews with people involved with the production, their relatives, shark experts and other filmmakers who have been inspired by Jaws. It's always nice to see Spielberg talking about the film that really made his career. Before Jaws came along, the young filmmaker was an up-and-comer, impressing with made-for-TV films including the influential Duel, an action-packed thrill ride about a large truck chasing a smaller car for the length of the film. When Spielberg came across the not-yet-published galleys of Peter Benchley's novel Jaws, he thought it was just like Duel - this huge, unrelenting predator on the prowl. So he asked if he could direct the film, and when the original choice left the project, he was in. But the production was far from smooth, and nearly everything that could go wrong with Bruce the shark, did. It was designed for freshwater instead of seawater, which wreaked havoc with the mechanics. It moved the wrong way. When it finally worked, the boat sank. Spielberg spent the production - which was running significantly over budget and well beyond schedule - thinking he'd be fired, and still suffered traumatic panic attacks and insomnia for years after the film wrapped. Cast members also failed to get along - Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss particularly butted heads, and Shaw's persistent drinking didn't help matters. But most of the Jaws cast was made up of locals on the island, and it's fantastic to see how much pride those remaining cast members and islanders still have in the film production. Jaws has had a huge impact on filmmaking since its release, and industry figures like Mexican Guillermo del Toro (Oscar-winning writer-director of The Shape of Water), Jaws superfan Steven Soderbergh (Oscar-winning director of Traffic) and English actress Emily Blunt (Oscar-nominated star of Oppenheimer), who claims to have seen Jaws more than any other film, are more than happy to talk about how much the shark thriller means to them and has impacted their appreciation of cinema. What this documentary has that the others don't is the inclusion of a fully restored Bruce to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. If you're a lover of the film, it's a delight to see the huge creature craned into the museum, to be revered by all the visitors who walk through its doors. While Jaws @ 50 might not be the most eye-opening documentary if you're well-versed in the history of the film, if you've never seen a doco or featurette on Jaws, it's bound to bring you joy. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (M, 88 minutes, Disney+) 4 stars Half a century ago, one film swam along and changed the film industry. It sounds like a grand statement to make, but that really was the case with Jaws. The seminal Steven Spielberg thriller became the first summer blockbuster (though, of course, it was winter in our hemisphere) to break all sorts of box office records and created a cultural juggernaut the size of which had never been seen before. To mark five decades since its release, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story on Disney+ takes you back to the famously difficult production with generous archive footage and interviews from the past and present. The documentary, released under the National Geographic banner, is helmed by Laurent Bouzereau, a prolific film documentary and special features director who already delivered The Making of Jaws back in 1995. If you're a cinephile or particularly die-hard fan of Jaws, there's a good chance that most of the information in Jaws @ 50 will not come as a shock. Other documentaries over the years have delved deeply into this film, and even the most casual film fan already knows bits of trivia, like the fact the mechanical shark was named Bruce, and the film was shot on Martha's Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast. But familiarity with the content doesn't detract from the enjoyment of this film. Bouzereau has conducted new interviews with people involved with the production, their relatives, shark experts and other filmmakers who have been inspired by Jaws. It's always nice to see Spielberg talking about the film that really made his career. Before Jaws came along, the young filmmaker was an up-and-comer, impressing with made-for-TV films including the influential Duel, an action-packed thrill ride about a large truck chasing a smaller car for the length of the film. When Spielberg came across the not-yet-published galleys of Peter Benchley's novel Jaws, he thought it was just like Duel - this huge, unrelenting predator on the prowl. So he asked if he could direct the film, and when the original choice left the project, he was in. But the production was far from smooth, and nearly everything that could go wrong with Bruce the shark, did. It was designed for freshwater instead of seawater, which wreaked havoc with the mechanics. It moved the wrong way. When it finally worked, the boat sank. Spielberg spent the production - which was running significantly over budget and well beyond schedule - thinking he'd be fired, and still suffered traumatic panic attacks and insomnia for years after the film wrapped. Cast members also failed to get along - Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss particularly butted heads, and Shaw's persistent drinking didn't help matters. But most of the Jaws cast was made up of locals on the island, and it's fantastic to see how much pride those remaining cast members and islanders still have in the film production. Jaws has had a huge impact on filmmaking since its release, and industry figures like Mexican Guillermo del Toro (Oscar-winning writer-director of The Shape of Water), Jaws superfan Steven Soderbergh (Oscar-winning director of Traffic) and English actress Emily Blunt (Oscar-nominated star of Oppenheimer), who claims to have seen Jaws more than any other film, are more than happy to talk about how much the shark thriller means to them and has impacted their appreciation of cinema. What this documentary has that the others don't is the inclusion of a fully restored Bruce to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. If you're a lover of the film, it's a delight to see the huge creature craned into the museum, to be revered by all the visitors who walk through its doors. While Jaws @ 50 might not be the most eye-opening documentary if you're well-versed in the history of the film, if you've never seen a doco or featurette on Jaws, it's bound to bring you joy. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (M, 88 minutes, Disney+) 4 stars Half a century ago, one film swam along and changed the film industry. It sounds like a grand statement to make, but that really was the case with Jaws. The seminal Steven Spielberg thriller became the first summer blockbuster (though, of course, it was winter in our hemisphere) to break all sorts of box office records and created a cultural juggernaut the size of which had never been seen before. To mark five decades since its release, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story on Disney+ takes you back to the famously difficult production with generous archive footage and interviews from the past and present. The documentary, released under the National Geographic banner, is helmed by Laurent Bouzereau, a prolific film documentary and special features director who already delivered The Making of Jaws back in 1995. If you're a cinephile or particularly die-hard fan of Jaws, there's a good chance that most of the information in Jaws @ 50 will not come as a shock. Other documentaries over the years have delved deeply into this film, and even the most casual film fan already knows bits of trivia, like the fact the mechanical shark was named Bruce, and the film was shot on Martha's Vineyard, an island off the Massachusetts coast. But familiarity with the content doesn't detract from the enjoyment of this film. Bouzereau has conducted new interviews with people involved with the production, their relatives, shark experts and other filmmakers who have been inspired by Jaws. It's always nice to see Spielberg talking about the film that really made his career. Before Jaws came along, the young filmmaker was an up-and-comer, impressing with made-for-TV films including the influential Duel, an action-packed thrill ride about a large truck chasing a smaller car for the length of the film. When Spielberg came across the not-yet-published galleys of Peter Benchley's novel Jaws, he thought it was just like Duel - this huge, unrelenting predator on the prowl. So he asked if he could direct the film, and when the original choice left the project, he was in. But the production was far from smooth, and nearly everything that could go wrong with Bruce the shark, did. It was designed for freshwater instead of seawater, which wreaked havoc with the mechanics. It moved the wrong way. When it finally worked, the boat sank. Spielberg spent the production - which was running significantly over budget and well beyond schedule - thinking he'd be fired, and still suffered traumatic panic attacks and insomnia for years after the film wrapped. Cast members also failed to get along - Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss particularly butted heads, and Shaw's persistent drinking didn't help matters. But most of the Jaws cast was made up of locals on the island, and it's fantastic to see how much pride those remaining cast members and islanders still have in the film production. Jaws has had a huge impact on filmmaking since its release, and industry figures like Mexican Guillermo del Toro (Oscar-winning writer-director of The Shape of Water), Jaws superfan Steven Soderbergh (Oscar-winning director of Traffic) and English actress Emily Blunt (Oscar-nominated star of Oppenheimer), who claims to have seen Jaws more than any other film, are more than happy to talk about how much the shark thriller means to them and has impacted their appreciation of cinema. What this documentary has that the others don't is the inclusion of a fully restored Bruce to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. If you're a lover of the film, it's a delight to see the huge creature craned into the museum, to be revered by all the visitors who walk through its doors. While Jaws @ 50 might not be the most eye-opening documentary if you're well-versed in the history of the film, if you've never seen a doco or featurette on Jaws, it's bound to bring you joy.
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Jaws @ 50' doc biggest revelations: Steven Spielberg's shock over Oscars snub — and ‘sparring' co-stars
'Jaws' is still making a splash in cinema 50 years later. National Geographic's new documentary 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' directed by Laurent Bouzereau gives a behind-the-scenes look at Steven Spielberg's iconic 1975 shark movie with rare archival footage and interviews with conservationists and famed directors. Spielberg himself revisits the classic film including the troubled production, his Oscars snub for Best Director and more. Advertisement 12 Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss in 'Jaws.' Courtesy Everett Collection 'To me, making 'Jaws' was a life-altering experience,' Spielberg said in the doc. Here are the biggest revelations from 'Jaws @ 50.' The troubled production Advertisement The 'Jaws' cast and crew dealt with a myriad of production issues while shooting the film on Martha's Vineyard, Mass. in 1974. 'There was nothing fun about making 'Jaws,'' Spielberg admitted. 12 Steven Spielberg during an interview for National Geographic's 'Jaws @ 50.' National Geographic/Chris Johnson The production struggles included a ballooning budget, mechanical issues with the sharks, challenging weather conditions, star Robert Shaw's alcoholism and his tension with co-star Richard Dreyfuss. Advertisement 'There were times making that movie when I thought 'Jaws' would probably be the last thing I ever made before people would stop hiring me,' said Spielberg. 12 Steven Spielberg, Bill Butler, and crew on the set of 'Jaws' in 1974. Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas recalled: 'It was reported everywhere. And when I did talk to [Spielberg] once in a while, I knew he was having a hard time.' Spielberg revealed that about 60 days into shooting the film, 'somebody from Hollywood, an actor, came over to me and said, 'Everybody's talking about [how] you're never gonna get a job after this movie because you're irresponsible with budget.'' Advertisement 'This actor was so sure I would never work again, they didn't care if they told me that,' Spielberg shared, calling the unnamed actor's comments 'very mean' and 'demoralizing.' 12 A photo from 'Jaws.' Courtesy Everett Collection Despite the many production issues, Spielberg said he 'never once felt like I wanted to quit. I was terrified I was going to be fired.' Sidney Sheinberg, the head of Universal Pictures at the time, flew to Martha's Vineyard 'just to asses the damage.' When they sat down to talk, Sheinberg allegedly told Spielberg that he didn't think finishing the film was possible. 'I just said, 'No, I wanna go. I wanna finish it,'' Spielberg remembered. 12 Steven Spielberg on the set of 'Jaws' in 1974. Corbis via Getty Images Martin Scorsese would visit the 'Jaws' set as well. 'He would sit there feeling sorry for me,' said Spielberg. 'We would commiserate.' Of course, Spielberg eventually finished production on 'Jaws' before its 1975 release. He said in the doc that making the movie was 'traumatizing' but worth it. Steven Spielberg's panic attack Advertisement 'When the film wrapped Martha's Vineyard, I had a full-blown panic attack,' Spielberg revealed in the documentary. 'I was in it, shall I say, over my head, for about seven or eight months on Martha's Vineyard. It was, logistically, I think the most difficult movie I think I'll ever make.' The award-winning director recalled that he 'couldn't breathe' and thought he was having a heart attack during his health incident. 12 Steven Spielberg on the set of 'Jaws.' Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC 'I was shaking. And I was out of it — I was completely out of it,' he said. 'I had a great crew, and yet I felt responsible for everybody there. And I felt really responsible for keeping them there for as long as had to stay.' Advertisement 'Jaws' had to keep shooting for another two months after wrapping in Martha's Vineyard, at which point he refused to give up on the film. 12 Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider in 'Jaws.' Courtesy Everett Collection 'It didn't stop me waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, where the sheets would be soaking wet,' he explained. 'We didn't have the words PTSD in those days, and I had consistent nightmares about directing 'Jaws' for years afterwards.' Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss' off-screen drama The actors who played Quint and Matt Hooper in the film didn't get along behind the scenes. Advertisement 'There was a lot of Richard challenging Robert and Robert challenging Richard,' Spielberg recalled. 'They were kind of sparring partners — but it really turned out in hindsight to be a playful banter that was unique to their personal relationships.' Shaw's son, Ian Shaw, explained that Shaw and Dreyfuss had 'offscreen skirmishes' which 'helped the chemistry of the peace.' 12 Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss in 'Jaws.' Courtesy Everett Collection Ian also said: 'There was a love-hate relationship with the two. Robert was very frustrated with Richard's attitude. And Robert gave him a very hard time — at least publicly.' Advertisement 'But also Robert could see the talent that was there, and wanted him to succeed,' Ian added. Steven Spielberg's Oscars snub 'Jaws' was nominated for four Oscars and won three, including Best Original Score for John Williams' music. However, Spielberg was completely snubbed from the Best Director category. 12 Steven Spielberg looks at a film strip on the set of 'Jaws.' Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC 'When a film is on the cusp of being considered for awards, it's not so much what you want for yourself — it's what everyone else says is going to happen for you,' Spielberg explained. 'So I just understood, 'I guess I'm getting nominated.' ' 'So when I wasn't, I was surprised. And I was disappointed,' he admitted. 'Because I was believing the noise, and you have to not believe that stuff.' 12 Steven Spielberg and 'Jaws @ 50' director Laurent Bouzereau. National Geographic/Chris Johnson Spielberg also admitted that he would've voted for 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' over 'Jaws' like the majority of the Academy did at the 1976 Oscars. The 'SNL' skit 'Saturday Night Live' spoofed 'Jaws' with its iconic 'Landshark' skit during the first season of the show in 1975. 'I was in the audience when the Land Shark showed up,' Spielberg recalled. 12 'SNL' spoofed 'Jaws' with the infamous 'Landshark' sketch. SNL/Youtube 12 Chevy Chase voiced the Land Shark on 'SNL.' SNL/Youtube The first instance of the sketch depicted the Land Shark (voiced by Chevy Chase) showing up to people's doors and attacking them after pretending to be repairmen or salesmen. The Land Shark character has since made multiple appearances on 'SNL.' 'I thought it was hysterical,' Spielberg said. 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What to watch this weekend: New shows and movies to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max and more
Netflix , Prime Video , Disney+, Hulu , Peacock , HBO Max , MGM+, Paramount+, Mubi are streaming a number movies and shows for the platforms' viewers. Steven Spielberg reflecting on his shark blockbuster in the documentary 'Jaws @ 50" and Clipse, season 10 of 'Bachelor in Paradise,' which will include contestants from "Golden Bachelor" and "Golden Bachelorette" are some of the shows, films to streaming platforms for you. New Shows This Weekend to Watch The cast of 'Love Island USA' was so popular, they've got their own spin-off called "Love Island: Beyond the Villa". The show follows six of the core cast living in LA as they adjust to the limelight and attempt to maintain their relationships. It debuts Sunday, July 13, on Peacock. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo MGM+ has an adaptation of Stephen King's 2019 novel 'The Institute.' It's about a teenage boy named Luke — with an exceptionally high intellect — who wakes up a strange, unknown facility run by the government that imprisons kids with unique abilities. The sci-fi horror series is eight-episodes and stars Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker. It premieres on Sunday, July 13. Dexter Morgan takes Manhattan in 'Dexter: Resurrection,' a sequel to 2021's 'Dexter: New Blood.' Michael C. Hall reprises his role as the serial killer who hunts other serial killers. In 'Resurrection,' Dexter meets a secret society of serial killers led by a character played by Peter Dinklage. David Zayas continues his role of detective Angel Batista from the original. It premieres Friday, July 11 on Paramount+ Premium. Live Events ABC's 'Bachelor in Paradise' marks its 10th season this summer with a golden twist. Contestants from 'The Golden Bachelor' and 'The Golden Bachelorette' are sent to a resort in Costa Rica to have fun in the sun and possibly make romantic connections. There's also a number of younger 'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' cast members who randomly get added to the mix. Jesse Palmer hosts with Bachelor Nation favorites Wells Adams serving as in-house bartender and Hannah Brown, who is in charge of Paradise Relations, whatever that means. It begins streaming Tuesday on Hulu. Peyton Manning's Netflix docuseries 'Quarterback' returns for a second season. Cameras follow NFL Quarterbacks Joe Burrow of the Cleveland Browns, Jared Goff of The Detroit Lions and Kirk Cousins. Cousins was also featured in Season 1 as the QB for the Minnesota Vikings but in Season 2 we see him injured from a torn Achilles. He eventually parts ways with the Vikings (who drafted Michigan's J.J. McCarthy ) and signs with the Atlanta Falcons. All eight episodes drop on Tuesday. There's a 'Bosch' spinoff premiering Wednesday on Prime Video focusing on LAPD homicide detective Renée Ballard (who you may recognize from the 'Bosch: Legacy' series finale.) 'Ballard," starring Maggie Q as the titular character, is also based on books by Michael Connelly. Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network presents 'a social experiment' where three families live 'Little House on the Prairie'-style for eight weeks. 'Back to the Frontier' streams a new episode for eight-weeks beginning Thursday on Max. Meg Stalter of 'Hacks' stars in a new Netflix comedy from Lena Dunham called 'Too Much.' It's a semi-autobiographical story about Dunham's life about a heartbroken New Yorker who moves to London to begin anew and finds herself drawn to a musician (Will Sharpe,) against her better judgment. An impressive roster of talent including Andrew Rannells, Naomi Watts, Kit Harington, Andrew Scott, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant and Rita Ora make appearances. All 10 episodes drop on Thursday. New Movies to Watch Steven Spielberg reflects on the 'life altering experience' that was 'Jaws,' which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, in the new documentary 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,' streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday, July 11. Voices include those who worked on the film, like composer John Williams, production designer Joe Alves and actors like Jonathan Filley and Lorriane Gary, as well as filmmaker luminaries from James Cameron and Jordan Peele to George Lucas. Alex Ross Perry's experimental documentary about the '90s indie band Pavement ('Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain') will be streaming on Mubi on Friday, July 11. There are actors ('Stranger Things'' Joe Keery, Nat Wolff, Jason Schwartzman), the real guys (Stephen Malkmus), archival footage and irreverent stagings that help evoke the spirit of the band, and kind of tell their story, as unconventionally as possible. Writer-director Mark Anthony Green's debut movie 'Opus,' a cult-horror about a reclusive pop star and a mysterious retreat, did not receive the best reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. But it touts the kind of cast and intriguing premise that makes it a hard-to-resist curiosity, with Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich leading, that begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday, July 11. FAQs Q1. Where can we watch new movies, shows? A1. New movies, shows can be watched on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max. Q2. When is "Love Island: Beyond the Villa" releasing? A2. "Love Island: Beyond the Villa" is releasing on Sunday, July 13, on Peacock.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
How to watch ‘Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' premiere for free
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. It's been a summer of celebration as 'Jaws' turns 50, but only one authorized documentary will take you behind the scenes into the making of the original summer blockbuster. 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,' from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Documentaries, premieres tonight on National Geographic. In the new doc, Spielberg and Wendy Benchley (wife of the late Peter Benchley, who wrote the novel 'Jaws') open their archives to debut some never-before-seen footage, including home videos and outtakes. Spielberg even sits down to discuss the production 50 years later, including weather delays, malfunctioning mechanical sharks, and the fear that it would end his career. Advertisement 'jaws @ 50': what to know When: July 10, 9 p.m. ET July 10, Where: tk tk Channel: National Geographic National Geographic Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free), Disney+ (beginning 7/11) Additionally, new interviews with cast, crew, filmmakers, and shark advocates round out the documentary. It's the movie you know, with a story you've never heard before. Here's how to tune in. 'Jaws @ 50' documentary release date Advertisement 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' premieres tonight, July 10, at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic. Where to watch 'Jaws @ 50' documentary for free If you don't have cable, you'll need a live TV streaming service to stream 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' for free. One option we love is DIRECTV, which comes with five days free and starts at $59.99/month, with plenty of subscription options that include National Geographic. You can also take advantage of a free trial of fuboTV (seven days) or Hulu + Live TV (three days). Other places to stream 'Jaws @ 50' 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' will begin streaming on both Disney+ and Hulu on July 11. Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for new users. 'Jaws @ 50' trailer Advertisement Where is 'Jaws' streaming? 'Jaws' is currently streaming on Peacock ($7.99/month+). You can also rent 'Jaws' on Prime Video for $3.79. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post's streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she's also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Steven Spielberg reveals ‘one of the bad things' that came from ‘Jaws' success: ‘Horrified'
'Jaws' came with a price. In the new National Geographic documentary 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,' Steven Spielberg spoke about how the success of his 1975 shark movie was harmful to marine life. 'One of the bad things that came out of the film was shark hunting spiked,' the 78-year-old director shared. 8 Steven Spielberg during an interview for 'Jaws @ 50.' National Geographic/Chris Johnson Executive producer and ocean conservationist advocate Wendy Benchley added: 'When Jaws came out, we were truly horrified to see that some people took it as license to go kill sharks.' 'The negative reaction hurt us and horrified us and we became passionate defenders with sharks,' said Wendy, the widow of 'Jaws' author Peter Benchley. 'We went with the National Geographic on expeditions and we were so fortunate to learn from these scientists and other experts.' 8 Steven Spielberg films the mechanical shark on the set of 'Jaws.' Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC 8 Steven Spielberg, Bill Butler, and crew on the set of 'Jaws' in 1974. Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC Cynthia Wigren, CEO and co-founder of Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, explained that trophy hunting became 'very popular' after 'Jaws' debuted, leading to the white shark population decreasing by as much as 80 percent. 8 Steven Spielberg on the set of 'Jaws.' Corbis via Getty Images 'People wanted to be like Quint,' Dr. Austin Gallagher, shark expert and chief scientist of Beneath The Waves, said about the shark-hunting captain played by Robert Shaw in the film. 'People wanted to have that trophy that they could show off,' Dr. Gallagher added. 8 Wendy Benchley, 'Jaws @ 50' executive producer and ocean conservationist advocate. National Geographic/Chris Johnson 8 Steven Spielberg and 'Jaws @ 50' director Laurent Bouzereau. National Geographic/Chris Johnson Shark conservation biologist Candace Fields agreed there was 'a negative connotation that came from 'Jaws' about sharks.' 'Which is very unfortunate,' Fields noted, 'because I think there's other takeaways as well.' In an exclusive interview with The Post, Wendy noted that the terror on shark life has significantly subsided in the 50 years since 'Jaws' premiered. 8 A crew member works on the mechanical shark on the set of 'Jaws.' Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC 'Shark hunting barely exists anymore,' she stated. 'It's mainly catching sharks for shark fin soup and that's been happening for honestly hundreds of years, but really expanded in the last 40 years when there was a huge population increase in China and other Asian countries.' 'So I've been working, and Peter worked, with many groups, and especially with WildAid, who has done an excellent job in China educating the Chinese who want to be good citizens,' Wendy continued. 'And when they realized that shark fin soup was actually killing the sharks, and a hundred million sharks were killed every year for shark fin soup, they listened. And the demand for shark fin soup has gone down 80 percent in China. So that's a wonderful thing.' 8 Steven Spielberg on the set of 'Jaws' in 1974. Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC Wendy also gave a shoutout to Jackie Chan, Yao Ming and Maggie Q for their involvement with WildAid 'to really help with that particular issue.' 'Peter died in '06 and I wish he were here now to be able to see all of these changes and to see 'Jaws' is still relevant after 50 years,' Wendy said in the documentary. 'I think he'd be very pleased.' 'Jaws @ 50' premieres Thursday on National Geographic and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
