The Troubled Production of Jaws: How a Mischievous Shark and Unruly Locals Nearly Derailed Spielberg's Blockbuster

Steven Spielberg's Jaws is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 20th century, a cinematic masterpiece that forever changed the landscape of Hollywood. However, the path to its success was anything but smooth. Behind the scenes, the young director faced a relentless battle against a temperamental mechanical shark and the meddling antics of local residents, all while navigating the high-stakes world of studio politics. This is the untold story of the tumultuous production that nearly ended Spielberg's career before it even began.

Uncovering the Secrets Behind the Shark's Mechanical Failures

The Shark That Wouldn't Cooperate

The iconic great white shark, affectionately nicknamed "Bruce," was the centerpiece of Jaws, but its mechanical nature proved to be a constant source of frustration for Spielberg and his crew. Designed by the talented Joe Alves, the shark was supposed to be the film's star attraction, but its frequent breakdowns and technical issues threatened to derail the entire production.

Shooting in the saltwater off the coast of Martha's Vineyard proved to be the shark's undoing. The creature had only been tested in freshwater tanks in Los Angeles and was simply not equipped to handle the harsh maritime environment. As the shark's mechanical failures mounted, the shoot and budget spiraled out of control, putting Spielberg, then just 26 years old, in the crosshairs of disgruntled studio executives at Universal Pictures.

Despite the immense challenges, Spielberg persevered, and the box office success of Jaws in the summer of 1975 ultimately vindicated his vision. However, the grueling experience left a lasting impact on the director, who decided to steer clear of any involvement in the subsequent Jaws sequels, none of which managed to capture the magic of the original.

The Meddling Kids Behind the Scenes

While the saltwater environment played a significant role in the shark's mechanical woes, Jaws cast member Jeffrey Voorhees revealed a surprising culprit: the local children of Martha's Vineyard. Voorhees, who played the ill-fated young shark victim Alex Kintner, recounted how he and other local kids would sneak into the warehouse where the shark was kept and climb all over the animatronic creature, wiggling its teeth and tail.

"Back in the '70s, there were no alarms and security cameras," Voorhees told SYFY WIRE. "A bunch of kids would go through the window with flashlights and climb all over Bruce ... We used to wiggle the teeth, climb on the tail. Maybe that's why it broke down a lot."

The mischievous antics of the local children, combined with the shark's inherent mechanical issues, created a perfect storm of problems for Spielberg and his crew, further complicating an already challenging production.

The Stench of Revenge

In addition to the shark's mechanical woes, Spielberg also had to contend with the ire of the island's residents, who were none too pleased with the presence of the rotting tiger shark used in the film. Voorhees recounted how the filmmakers had transported the shark all the way from Florida, and the stench was so overpowering that it drove the locals to take matters into their own hands.

"They drove that thing all the way up from Florida in the back of a pick-up truck and it stunk so bad," Voorhees said. "After they were done filleting fish, a bunch of fishermen would go over to the place he was renting over on South Water Street, this nice house, and they were throwing all the carcasses up on his front yard to make that stink."

The locals' revenge tactics only added to the already tense atmosphere on set, further testing Spielberg's resolve and his ability to keep the production on track.

The Grueling Shoot and the Triumph of Perseverance

The Challenges of Filming the Iconic Death Scene

Voorhees, who was just 12 years old at the time, landed a speaking role in Jaws and found himself at the center of one of the film's most iconic and harrowing moments: the death of his character, Alex Kintner. Filming the scene proved to be a grueling ordeal, with Spielberg determined to capture the perfect take.

Initially, the plan was to have Voorhees run to the shoreline without going into the water, with the shark attack being depicted through a graphic mannequin sequence. However, this proved to be too intense for the sensibilities of the time, and Spielberg decided to have Voorhees actually swim out into the water, where he would disappear beneath the waves as a barrel of fake blood exploded.

The scene took five days to film, with Voorhees' limbs repeatedly popping out of the water and ruining the take. Spielberg, determined to get it right, pushed the young actor to the limit, forcing him to redo the scene over and over again. "It would take seven or eight hours for all that blood to clear out," Voorhees recalled. "So, I screwed up and all my friends are freezing cold out there and they're there for hours."

Ultimately, Spielberg found a solution, enlisting two divers in wet suits to grab Voorhees' legs and pull him in and out of the water, ensuring a seamless and chilling final result.

The Emotional Reunion Decades Later

The death of Alex Kintner was a pivotal moment in Jaws, driving home the gravity of the shark threat and spurring Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) to take action. Decades later, Voorhees had a serendipitous reunion with Lee Fiero, the actress who played his grieving mother in the film.

Voorhees, now the owner of a restaurant in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, was serving lunch to Fiero and her friend when he recognized her. In a heartwarming exchange, the two reminisced about their time on the Jaws set and the emotional impact of the scene. Fiero, who sadly passed away from COVID-related complications during the pandemic, was overjoyed to reconnect with her on-screen son, and the two shared a touching moment, bonding over their shared experience in the making of a cinematic classic.

The reunion was a testament to the enduring legacy of Jaws and the profound impact it had on those who were a part of its creation. Despite the challenges and tribulations of the production, the film's success and cultural significance have cemented its place as one of the greatest achievements in the history of cinema.