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Jaws
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Jaws (1975) More at IMDbPro »

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Jaws -- When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

Overview

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Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Writers:
Peter Benchley (screenplay) and
Carl Gottlieb (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Jaws on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 June 1975 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Adventure | Horror | Thriller See more »
Tagline:
The Nation's No.1 Best-Selling Book now the Screen's Super-Thriller See more »
Plot:
When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 14 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(1331 articles)
Cinema’s Greatest Villains: The 1970′s
 (From SoundOnSight. 19 May 2013, 4:43 PM, PDT)
Cannes festival chief talks sex and Spielberg
 (From Cineplex. 14 May 2013, 1:33 PM, PDT)
Steven Spielberg Heads Up Cannes Jury
 (From Huffington Post. 14 May 2013, 10:55 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Not your average fish story... See more (846 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Roy Scheider ... Brody

Robert Shaw ... Quint

Richard Dreyfuss ... Hooper

Lorraine Gary ... Ellen Brody

Murray Hamilton ... Vaughn

Carl Gottlieb ... Meadows

Jeffrey Kramer ... Hendricks (as Jeffrey C. Kramer)

Susan Backlinie ... Chrissie
Jonathan Filley ... Cassidy
Ted Grossman ... Estuary Victim
Chris Rebello ... Michael Brody
Jay Mello ... Sean Brody
Lee Fierro ... Mrs. Kintner
Jeffrey Voorhees ... Alex Kintner
Craig Kingsbury ... Ben Gardner
Robert Nevin ... Medical Examiner (as Dr. Robert Nevin)
Peter Benchley ... Interviewer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Chris Anastasio ... Out of Towner (uncredited)
John Bahr ... Beach Guitarist (uncredited)
Gilbert Brand ... Victim (uncredited)
Allison Caine ... Additional Townswomen (voice) (uncredited)
Jean Canha ... Fat Lady (uncredited)
Edwin C. Carlson ... Man with Goff (uncredited)
Henry Carreiro ... Felix (uncredited)
Robert Carroll ... Mr. Polk (uncredited)
Edward Chalmers Jr. ... Mr. Denherder (uncredited)
Robert Chambers ... Charlie (uncredited)
Denise Cheshire ... Swimming Chrissie - First Victim (uncredited)
Fritzi Jane Courtney ... Mrs. Taft (uncredited)
Gregory S. Dole ... Sonar Operator (uncredited)
Cyprian R. Dube ... Mr. Posner (uncredited)
Stephen Earle ... Converted Extra (uncredited)
David Engelbach ... Research Assistant (uncredited)
Dorothy Fielding ... Girl in Music Store (uncredited)
Francis A. Frank ... Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
Brendan Gallagher ... Man with Dynamite (uncredited)
Elizabeth K. Gifford ... Island Wife (uncredited)
Willis B. Gifford ... Man (uncredited)
Alston Goff ... Lynwood Shop Keeper (uncredited)
Paul Goulart ... Clarinet Player in Music Store (uncredited)
Beardsley Graham ... Mainlander (uncredited)
Eleanor L. Harvey ... Motorboat Skipper (uncredited)
Mike Haydn ... Bonfire Guitarist (uncredited)
Richard P. Hewitt ... Walter (uncredited)
Carla Hogendyk ... Artist (uncredited)
Wally Hooper Jr. ... Harry (uncredited)
Janice T. Hull ... Lady Fisherman (uncredited)
Stephanie Hull ... Swimming Girl (uncredited)
Wayne Iacono ... Spotter (uncredited)
Duncan Inches ... Townsperson (uncredited)
Joseph G. Kraetzer ... Local Merchant (uncredited)
Joe La Creta ... Barwood (uncredited)
William Lymon ... Ensign (uncredited)
Belle McDonald ... Mrs. Posner (uncredited)
Phil Murray ... Mr. Taft (uncredited)
Philip Norton ... Mr. Stands (uncredited)
William O'Gorman ... Man with Dynamite (uncredited)
William Pfluger ... Sailboat Skipper (uncredited)
Donald Poole ... Frank Silva - Harbor Master (uncredited)
Steven Potter ... Man with Dog (uncredited)
Beverly Powers ... Topless Swimmer (uncredited)
Ayn Ruymen ... Nurse (uncredited)
Christopher Sands ... Lifeguard (uncredited)
Henry E. Scott III ... Man with Rifle (uncredited)
Peggy Scott ... Polly (uncredited)
John Searle ... Converted Extra (uncredited)

Steven Spielberg ... Amity Point Lifestation Worker (voice) (uncredited)
Joy Stuart ... Woman Tourist #1 (uncredited)
Jerome S. Tartar ... Boat Captain (uncredited)
Julie Taylor ... Nurse (uncredited)
Paul G. Thibodeau ... Fisherman in Boat (uncredited)
Rex Trailer ... Scout Master (uncredited)
Paul F. Tremblay ... Deputy #2 (uncredited)
Hershel West ... Salvatore (uncredited)
Robert Whelden Jr. ... Policeman (uncredited)
Alfred Wilde ... Harry Wiseman (uncredited)
Dick Young ... Pratt (uncredited)
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Directed by
Steven Spielberg 
 
Writing credits
Peter Benchley (screenplay) and
Carl Gottlieb (screenplay)

Peter Benchley (novel)

Produced by
David Brown .... producer
Richard D. Zanuck .... producer
 
Original Music by
John Williams 
 
Cinematography by
Bill Butler (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Verna Fields 
 
Production Design by
Joe Alves  (as Joseph Alves Jr.)
 
Set Decoration by
John M. Dwyer 
 
Makeup Department
Del Armstrong .... makeup artist (uncredited)
Verne Caruso .... hair stylist (uncredited)
Jim Gillespie .... makeup artist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
James Fargo .... unit production manager (as Jim Fargo)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Barbara Bass .... second assistant director
Tom Joyner .... first assistant director
Joe Alves .... second unit director (uncredited)
Verna Fields .... second unit director (uncredited)
L. Andrew Stone .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Mike May .... leadman (uncredited)
Frank Nifong .... prop master (uncredited)
William A. Petrotta .... assistant property master (uncredited)
Thomas J. Wright .... production illustrator (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
John R. Carter .... sound
Robert L. Hoyt .... sound (as Robert Hoyt)
Thomas E. Allen .... sound (uncredited)
George Fredrick .... sound editor (uncredited)
Walter A. Gest .... adr recordist (uncredited)
William Griffith .... sound recordist (uncredited)
Roger Heman Jr. .... sound (uncredited)
Earl Madery .... sound (uncredited)
John McDonald .... boom man (uncredited)
Colin C. Mouat .... sound editor (uncredited)
Dennis C. Salcedo .... optical sound recordist (uncredited)
Roger Sword .... sound editor (uncredited)
James Troutman .... sound editor (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Robert A. Mattey .... special effects
Roy Arbogast .... special mechanical effects (uncredited)
Tim Baar .... special effects (uncredited)
Johnny Borgese .... special effects (uncredited)
Richard S. Edwards .... explosive expert (uncredited)
Richard O. Helmer .... special effects (uncredited)
Conrad Kromm .... special effects (uncredited)
Stanley Mahony .... special effects (uncredited)
Kevin Pike .... special effects assistant (uncredited)
Harry Shepherd .... special effects (uncredited)
Charles Spurgeon .... special effects (uncredited)
Richard Stutsman .... special effects technician (uncredited)
Eddie Surkin .... special effects crew (uncredited)
Gary Wood .... special effects (uncredited)
Michael Wood .... special effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Richard E. Butler .... stunts (uncredited)
Howard Curtis .... stunts (uncredited)
Ted Grossman .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Frank James Sparks .... stunt double: Richard Dreyfuss (uncredited)
Dick Warlock .... stunt double: Richard Dryfuss (uncredited)
Fred Zendar .... stunts (uncredited)
Dick Ziker .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Chapman .... camera operator
Rexford L. Metz .... underwater photographer (as Rexford Metz)
Ron Taylor .... camera operator: live shark footage
Valerie Taylor .... camera operator: live shark footage
Sandy Brooke .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Vito Carenzo .... grip (uncredited)
Joe Cole .... best boy (uncredited)
James A. Contner .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Tony DeGeorge .... second grip (uncredited)
Tim Evans .... lamp operator (uncredited)
David Fay .... dolly grip (uncredited)
Louis Goldman .... still photographer (uncredited)
Jake Jarrell .... lamp operator (uncredited)
Harry Jukes .... generator operator (uncredited)
Guy Polzel .... key grip (uncredited)
Peter Salim .... camera assistant (uncredited)
Fred Schuler .... additional camera operator (uncredited)
William Tandrow .... lamp operator (uncredited)
Bill Tenny .... gaffer (uncredited)
Ronald Vidor .... underwater camera operator (uncredited)
Dennis Young .... underwater grip (uncredited)
Ron Zarilla .... assistant camera (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Shari Rhodes .... location casting
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Louise Clark .... wardrobe: women (uncredited)
Robert Ellsworth .... wardrobe: men (uncredited)
Irwin Rose .... wardrobe: men (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
William C. Carruth .... assistant editor (uncredited)
Rick Fields .... apprentice film editor (uncredited)
Jeff Gourson .... assistant film editor (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Bob Bain .... musician: guitar (uncredited)
Joseph Glassman .... music editor (uncredited)
Tommy Johnson .... musician: tuba soloist (uncredited)
Paul Kegg .... musician: cello (uncredited)
Steven Spielberg .... musician: clarinet in orchestra (uncredited)
John Williams .... conductor (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Mel Bingham .... transportation captain (uncredited)
Lorenzo Porricelli .... driver (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Charlsie Bryant .... script supervisor
William S. Gilmore .... production executive (as William S. Gilmore Jr.)
Fred Zendar .... technical advisor (as Manfred Zendar)
Nick Chiarolanzio .... location auditor (uncredited)
Al Ebner .... unit publicist (uncredited)
Rick Fields .... assistant: Mr. Spielberg (uncredited)
Helen Jackson .... nurse (uncredited)
Ron Veto .... underwater diver (uncredited)
Danny Young .... timekeeper (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Leonard J.V. Compagno .... the producers gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of (as Mr. L.J.V. Compagno of The Department of Biological Sciences Stanford University)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
124 min | USA:130 min (TV version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Argentina:18 (original rating) | Australia:M | Denmark:15 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:12 | Israel:PG | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:14 (orginal rating) (1975) | Norway:15 (video rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Sweden:15 | Taiwan:GP | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) (1993) (2000) | USA:PG (Certificate #24175) | West Germany:16 | Finland:K-16 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (1995) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Spain:T | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:M | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Peru:14 | Chile:TE | Italy:T | UK:PG (tv rating) | Argentina:13 (re-rating) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | UK:12A (theatrical re-release) (2012) | Ireland:12A
Filming Locations:
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USASee more »
Company:
Zanuck/Brown ProductionsSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
The scene where the head pops out from under the boat was not originally scripted. Director Steven Spielberg says he "got greedy" after he saw the preview audience's reaction to the scene where the shark jumps out behind Brody's head and wanted "one more scare."See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: In the scene where the two fisherman are trying to catch the shark with the holiday roast on the pier, it is very dark outside yet when it cuts to Brody (the scenes go back and forth proving that it takes place in the same evening), it is still very light outside.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Tom Cassidy:What's your name again?
Christine 'Chrissie' Watkins:Chrissie.
Tom Cassidy:Where are we going?
Christine 'Chrissie' Watkins:Swimming
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Stargate: Atlantis: Hide and Seek (#1.2)" (2004)See more »
Soundtrack:
Spanish LadiesSee more »

FAQ

What are the major differences between the movie and the original novel?
Why does the Mayor go to such trouble to keep the beach open?
Where is Amity Island located?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
132 out of 177 people found the following review useful.
Not your average fish story..., 23 September 2001
Author: WehoSteve (Stevekroll@hotmail.com) from Los Angeles

Widely regarded as the film that began the "summer movie blockbuster era", JAWS (1975) was also rightfully one of the year's most critically acclaimed movies. It was also the recipient of an Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture and a winner of Oscars for film editing (Verna Fields) and music score (John Williams). One of the reasons the film received no acting nods is that everyone involved is so good, how could one single out just one or two? (I personally feel Robert Shaw should have gotten a Best Actor nomination, however). Roy Scheider is wonderful as New York cop Martin Brody, who has relocated to a small coastal island town, only to have his bad case of "aquaphobia" put to the ultimate test. Richard Dreyfuss is perfectly cast as a shark expert and provides some truly funny comic bits along the way. Lorraine Gary (who director Steven Spielberg says was the first person to be cast for the film) does an excellent job of being the concerned wife and mother. Finally, there's Murray Hamilton, who gives one of the best performances of his career as Mayor Vaughn, who seems to be more concerned about the economy of the town than the safety of the residents. In a way, Vaughn is really the film's villain. Solid cast indeed. The screenplay (by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb) is tight and well-written, as is Spielberg's direction. Whether it was the mechanical shark's failure to operate correctly or Spielberg's decision to simply see less of the shark until the end of the film, the "less is more" idea works perfectly, particularly in the opening scene, which is chilling to this day.

One thing I do want to add: if you choose to watch this film at home, do yourself a favor and rent or buy the WIDESCREEN version. The full-screen pan and scan version is a travesty that ruins the great camerawork that Spielberg and cameraman Bill Butler made. I always recommend the widescreen version but it is especially important for JAWS.

No offense to fans of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, but this is the film that should have taken home the Oscar gold. Grade: A+

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