- JAWS@50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY
- Documentary
- Featuring: Steven Spielberg, Cameron Crowe and Jordan Peele
- Directed by: Laurent Bouzereau
- Not Rated
- Running time: 1 hr 28 mins
- National Geographic
Our score: 5 out of 5
I bought my first laser disc in 1995. It was a special edition collection to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the greatest film ever made, Jaws. I bought it for one reason. The amazing documentary put together by filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau. I should note here that at the time I did not own a laser disc player.
As someone that prides himself on his knowledge of the film Jaws (my most recent book, “FINATICS: 50 Years of Jaws” was just released) I usually the various documentaries on the film with a grain of salt because I usually don’t learn anything new. That being said, I knew when I watched Jaws@50 that that would not be the case. And I was not disappointed!
A skilled documentarian, Mr. Bouzereau has also done outstanding “making of” films about such classic movies as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. and Jurassic Park, as well as last year’s amazing Music by John Williams. He has a style that allows him to share the story of a familiar film in a way you never expected, making the familiar seem new. And Jaws@50 is no exception.
Through an amazing treasure trove of archival footage, and current interviews with Steven Spielberg, as well as conversations with some of the greatest filmmakers working today, the film manages to weave a tale I’ve never known. Each film clip, or comment by Mr. Spielberg, opens new windows into the film and the behind-the-scenes troubles that nearly kept it from being made. To someone that has seen the film literally hundreds of times, Jaws@50 made it seem like I was watching Jaws for the first time, learning more and more about something I have loved for five decades.
The film premiers on the National Geographic channel next Thursday, July 10th, and can also be found on the new 50th Anniversary 4K Steelbook. Even if you don’t own 4k player, buy it. I don’t and I did!
On a scale of zero to five I give Jaws@50: The Definitive Inside Story ★★★★★