My Summer Lair Chapter #330: As The Jaws Shark’s BFF For The Past 50 Years: What’s Your Favorite BFF Memory?
For Jaws’ 50th Anniversary filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau directed Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, a documentary slash retrospective whose official description reads:
“Alongside Steven Spielberg, JAWS @ 50 charts the extraordinary journey from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to one of the most iconic films ever made. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with acclaimed Hollywood directors, top shark scientists, and conservationists, the documentary uncovers the behind-the-scenes chaos and how the film launched the summer blockbuster, inspired a new wave of filmmakers, and paved the way for shark conservation that continues today.”
Behold the Laurent Bouzereau’s Jaws @ 50 trailer:
“It was a time when movies were at the pinnacle of the culture conversation.”
~ Robert Zemeckis (a Jaws @ 50 quote)
Jaws was released on June 20, 1975:
50 years since people were afraid to go into the water.
50 years of Da-Dum…Da-Dum…Da-Dum…that incredible John Williams soundtrack.
50 years of Bruce…The Shark. (The shark was originally called “Bruce” by film crew members in reference to Steven Spielberg’s lawyer, Bruce Ramer.)
50 years of Mayor Vaughn of Amity Island refusing to close the beaches.
50 years of You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat.
It’s been 50 years of Jaws.
As the shark can attest…this time it’s personal.
What does 50 years of Jaws mean to you?
Jaws as a movie…as a blockbuster has a notable cinematic legacy. That’s why we’re still talking and celebrating it today. From establishing Steven Spielberg as a household name, to the shooting approach…the conceal and reveal of the shark…for the past 50 years all these fun facts and insights have been noted and put on the record.
Jaws at 50 isn’t even Laurent Bouzereau’s first Jaws documentary.
However with Jaws @ 50 Laurent makes a compelling case that Jaws’ legacy perhaps overlooked or underappreciated is as a creative big bang. He eloquently says to me: “I really wanted Jaws @ 50 to show the impact that basically without Jaws, we may not have had the kind of Hollywood that we have today.”
Enjoy this MSL conversation with Laurent. He and I unpack creativity, filmmaking, Hollywood and he shares the unusual way he came to see Jaws. When he shared that experience I was like…woah: interesting.
Jaws @ 50 is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu; either way #SetTheVCR.
As for Jaws it is streaming on Peacock, Crave…think it was also added to Netflix-Canada. Check your local listings.
Jaws @ 50 @ W • T • F
Host Sammy Younan
Recorded: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 2:40 pm (EST)
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