JAWS, the Spielberg blockbuster that set a new Hollywood gold standard, was released 48 years ago today

Do you remember the summer of 1975? Chances are, if you were a film fanatic, you were immersed in the oceanic horror of JAWS, the groundbreaking movie directed by the then-budding genius, Steven Spielberg. 

Today marks 48 years since this titanic shark thriller first bit into the American box office, forever changing our summer entertainment diet.    

JAWS: The Bite that Still Echoes

Based on Peter Benchley's bestselling novel from 1973, JAWS unfolded a tale of terror, tracing the fictional New England resort town of Amity's fight against a great white shark. The fear-infused narrative captivated audiences, causing beach-goers to reconsider their dip into the waves. Such was the impact that it continued to resonate until it was finally dethroned by "Star Wars" in 1977 as the highest-grossing film, according to History.com.  

The ocean thriller, starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, introduced audiences to characters who would become pop culture icons. Their battle against the sea's beast is as haunting today as it was then. However, the journey to creating this impactful piece was not smooth sailing.  

Behind-the-Scenes: The Tsunami of Challenges

Collider recounts how film producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown purchased the movie rights even before the novel was public, diving head-first into the challenge. The shoot, situated on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, was besieged by technical glitches and delays, including malfunctioning mechanical sharks and unfavorable weather. Spielberg's ambitious decision to film on the ocean - a first for major features - further compounded the difficulties, escalating the shooting schedule to 159 days from the planned 55 and catapulting the budget to $12 million.  

Yet, the most impressive part of the film may be John Williams' iconic score. With just two notes, Williams created a tune as terrifying and impressive as the shark itself, earning him an Oscar for the Best Original Score.  

However, JAWS' legacy is a double-edged sword. While it heralded the era of summer blockbusters and transformed Spielberg's career, the portrayal of great white sharks sparked a dangerous enthusiasm for shark hunting. Spielberg confessed to Smithsonian Magazine in a 2022 interview that he feared the decline in the shark population that followed the movie's release.