The majority of the "Jaws" filming took place on the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard, which is south of Cape Cod. The movie's opening scene was shot in South Beach, Edgartown, on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Jaws is based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. The story centers on a great white shark that starts terrorizing the serene island of Amity. A marine biologist, a fisherman, and a police chief should act quickly to neutralize the danger.
Jaws, the first major motion picture to be shot on the ocean, was primarily shot on location on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. As a result, the production of the film faced problems, including overspending and falling behind schedule. Even so, the movie still made $470.7 million, making it the highest-grossing movie before "Star Wars" came out. In 2001, it was chosen to be preserved in the US National Film Registry.
The majority of the 1975 film takes place on Amity Island, a tranquil island town and vacation destination. The goal was to demonstrate how a relatively small business could be destroyed by the fear of a terrifying creature like a great white shark.
Spielberg chose to use a minimalist, foreboding tune composed by composer John Williams to represent the shark's impending apparition because the art department's mechanical sharks frequently broke down. For a major studio picture at the time, Universal Pictures' release of the movie to over 450 screens was extremely wide; it was followed by a comprehensive marketing campaign that placed a strong emphasis on television advertisements.
Among other things, Hollywood productions that have portrayed compellingly bone-chilling horror stories revolving around this have made the mystery of the unknown underwater a source of intense anxiety. It wouldn't be incorrect to suggest that Steven Spielberg's 1975 film "Jaws" was the catalyst for this horror trend. The movie was a huge hit and is recognized as the first "summer blockbuster." Furthermore, it paved the way for the development of the Hollywood blockbuster model, which focused on straightforward, high-concept plots packed with action and adventure and was extensively promoted.
Here is a list of notable locations where the thriller movie "Jaws" was filmed.
Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
The majority of the shark scenes from the film Jaws were shot in Oak Bluffs. Furthermore, it should be noted that the crew had to film in stormy weather for more than 150 days in order to capture the essence of thunder and waves during the movie's production. Spielberg sought to make the scenes appear as real as possible.
Los Angeles, California
Major alterations and post-production tasks were completed entirely in LA. Hollywood is unquestionably headquartered in Los Angeles, where most of the major production studios and businesses are also based. Even in the midst of the oppressive heat, the city is stunning and a great destination for a short weekend trip.
Southern Ocean, South Australia
Parts of the movie Jaws were also shot in Australia's southern ocean in addition to Martha's Vineyard. For the crew to stage the scenes in which the Orca is attempting to attack and destroy ships in an effort to hunt people, the scenery served as the ideal setting.
Menemsha, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Menemsha Galley was home to many set pieces and significant locations where the shark hunt was planned in the movie Jaws. The harbor inlet's end was where the galley led, and that place served as the backdrop for the character check on Robert Shaw. The shack was eventually demolished because no permanent building could be built for filming.
American Legion Memorial Bridge, Martha’s Vineyard
A significant attack featured in Jaws took place close to the Legion Memorial Bridge. The shark breached Sengekontacket Pond from the waters below the bridge. Because the pond wasn't technically a part of the ocean, the residents of the town assumed that the shark couldn't attack them there, but they were attacked later in the movie.
What is the “Jaws” movie all about?
Based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel, Steven Spielberg's 1975 American thriller Jaws features Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, who chases a man-eating great white shark that preys on beachgoers in a summer resort town with the assistance of a marine researcher, Richard Dreyfuss, and a certified shark hunter, Robert Shaw. The mayor is portrayed by Murray Hamilton, and Lorraine Gary plays Brody's wife.
Did “Jaws” win any accolades?
Jaws received three Academy Awards: best sound, best original dramatic score, and best film editing (Robert Hoyt, Roger Heman, Earl Madery, and John Carter). Additionally, it was a Best Picture nominee, but One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest won. Spielberg took great offense at not receiving a Best Director nomination.
In addition to the Oscar, the music composed by John Williams also took home the Grammy, the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music, and the Golden Globe Award. Verna Fields received the American Cinema Editors' Eddie Award for Best Edited Feature Film in addition to her Academy Award.
At the People's Choice Awards, Jaws was selected as the top film. At the 29th British Academy Film Awards and the 33rd Golden Globe Awards, it was also nominated for best film—drama, director, and screenplay awards. Richard Dreyfuss was nominated for best actor. The Writers Guild of America nominated Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb's script for Best Adapted Drama, and Spielberg received a nomination for a DGA Award from the Directors Guild of America.
The blockbuster Jaws, regarded as a turning point in cinema history, won numerous accolades for its soundtrack and editing. It was the highest-grossing movie of all time until the release of Star Wars two years later. Moreover, Jaws was followed by three sequels, none of which featured Spielberg or Benchley.
FAQs
Q. When was “Jaws” released?
A. The suspense thriller Jaws debuted on June 20, 1975 and is regarded as one of Steven Spielberg's finest efforts.
Q. Where can I watch or stream the movie “Jaws”?
A. Jaws is currently available for streaming on AMC, fuboTV, and Amazon Prime Video. Google Play also offers the option to rent the film.
Q. Where were the actual sharks shot?
A. Some filming was done in Australia, mainly to capture real white sharks. Filming for this scene took place in South Australia's Far West Coast and Spencer Gulf.
