Jaws, the iconic 1975 thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, is undoubtedly a masterpiece in cinematic history. It is a gripping tale about a great white shark terrorizing the fictional seaside town of Amity Island. The film not only revolutionized the way movies are made but also gave birth to the concept of summer blockbusters. However, even with all its brilliance, Jaws is not without its fair share of mistakes and bloopers. Let’s dive deep into some of the most notable ones, which may have gone unnoticed by many viewers.
One notable mistake occurs early on in the film when Chief Martin Brody (played by Roy Scheider) is sitting at the dinner table with his family. He is seen pouring himself a glass of wine, and upon taking a sip, the camera cuts away. However, in the very next shot, the level of the wine in his glass miraculously rises, defying the laws of physics. This slip-up is a minor continuity error but still enough to make an eagle-eyed viewer question the editing process.
Another flaw can be noticed during the famous beach scene, where the shark attacks a young boy named Alex Kintner. As Alex is initially grabbed by the shark, you can clearly see a yellow rope attached to his waist, which is likely used for stability and safety during the filming. The presence of this rope is a clear oversight, revealing the behind-the-scenes tricks employed to create the illusion of the terrifying shark attack.
One of the more amusing mistakes occurs when Chief Brody is investigating the half-sunken boat. As he attempts to untangle the line from the propeller, he accidentally knocks the cap-sized boat, making it bob up and down in the water. However, in one shot, you can see a crew member wearing jeans and sneakers, positioned next to the boat, desperately attempting to stabilize it amidst the chaos. This wardrobe error clearly breaks the immersion and briefly exposes the hidden mechanics involved in filming a movie.
Continuing on, in the final chase scene of the film, Chief Brody is shown struggling to reload his rifle in a tense moment with the shark. However, when analyzing the gun closely, viewers can notice that there is no magazine or ammunition present. Even though it might be argued that this was a deliberate choice to add to the suspense of the scene, it is an unintentional mistake that keen-eyed viewers will find quite amusing.
Moreover, during the scene where Quint (played by Robert Shaw) is being devoured by the shark, there is an evident continuity error. As Quint’s legs are being drawn into the shark’s mouth, he is wearing dark pants and boots. However, as the scene cuts to a wide shot of the shark, we can clearly see that it is biting down on Quint’s leg, exposing his bare feet, lacking any trace of the boots or pants seen seconds ago. While this could be explained as a stylistic choice to emphasize the brutality of the shark attack, it is undoubtedly a noticeable error that might have been overlooked in the post-production process.
Jaws remains a timeless classic, and despite these mistakes, it continues to captivate audiences to this day. These minor flaws should not overshadow the film’s undeniable brilliance and the impact it had on the world of cinema. However, they do serve as a reminder that even the greatest films are not exempt from gaffes and bloopers. So, the next time you sit down to watch Jaws, keep an eye out for these mistakes and appreciate the magic that is movie-making.