Fifty years ago, the quiet charm of Martha's Vineyard was forever altered when Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" rolled its cameras along the island's shores. The 1975 thriller not only redefined summer blockbusters but also transformed the island into a beacon for cinema fans and tourists alike. As the film marks its golden anniversary on June 20, 2025, the legacy of "Jaws" continues to ripple through culture, conservation, and community in ways both expected and surprising.
Richard Dreyfuss, now 77, who portrayed the marine biologist Matt Hooper, recently commemorated the milestone by launching a dedicated website featuring exclusive "Jaws" merchandise. This collection, personally autographed by Dreyfuss, includes signed photos, movie posters, t-shirts, hoodies, and even a shark jaw replica, with prices ranging from $95 to $495. In a playful YouTube video, Dreyfuss shared glimpses of himself autographing memorabilia, including a photo from the very first day of filming. Reflecting on the film's unexpected success, he once admitted in a 2021 interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, "Everyone thought that they had struck gold, and I said, 'What are you talking about, it's just a little movie.'" Yet, "Jaws" became a cultural phenomenon, spawning three sequels, and Dreyfuss calls it "one of the most powerful things that ever happened" to him.
Behind the scenes on Martha's Vineyard, locals recall the chaotic yet magical atmosphere during filming. Jeffrey Kramer, who played Deputy Hendricks, described the choice of the island as serendipitous—production designer Joe Alves opted for the Vineyard because boats to Nantucket weren’t running that day. The first day of principal photography featured Kramer's character discovering a hand on the beach, a scene that set the tone for the film's suspense. Kramer also recounted the challenges with the animatronic shark, nicknamed Bruce, which frequently malfunctioned, forcing the crew to creatively adapt scenes and keep the production afloat despite rumors that the film might be scrapped.
Jean Wong, marketing director at the Harbor View Hotel, fondly remembers a legendary food fight among the crew in what is now the Bettini Restaurant. This spontaneous eruption of chaos was a cathartic release amid the long hours, cold water, and technical frustrations—a quirky slice of Vineyard lore that endures.
Local historian and researcher Bow Van Riper, who as a child was an extra in a scene involving panicked swimmers, reflects on how "Jaws" put Martha's Vineyard "on the map." He notes that the film sparked a tourism surge that transformed the island, now a hotspot attracting visitors from across the globe, all eager to walk the streets of the fictional Amity Island. The Martha's Vineyard Museum has dedicated its entire second floor to a "Jaws" exhibit, featuring memorabilia and educational programs about sharks, emphasizing a "respect the locals" message to balance the film’s legacy with conservation awareness.
Charlie Blair, former harbormaster, shared his grueling experience managing 20 boats for the Universal Pictures crew. Many of the Hollywood team lacked maritime knowledge, leading to wrecked and sunk boats. Blair’s tales include escorting actor Robert Shaw, who played Quint, off the beach each morning, noting Shaw’s pre-breakfast ritual of whiskey and martinis—a glimpse into the gritty reality behind the glamour.
Jeffrey Voorhees, who as a 12-year-old played Alex Kintner—the boy famously attacked by the shark—described the painstaking process of filming the bloody attack scene. Multiple takes over several hours involved barrels of fake blood and stunt divers pulling him underwater to simulate the deadly encounter. Voorhees now embraces his "Jaws" fame, engaging with fans through signings and personalized videos, even recounting touching stories of fans who connect deeply with the film’s impact.
Erica Ashton, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, highlights the inseparable bond between the film and the island. She observes that "Jaws" captured not just the suspense of the sea but the soul of Martha's Vineyard—the harbors, the people, the character—which in turn shaped the film. Yet, she also acknowledges the complex legacy the movie left regarding sharks, noting that both Spielberg and "Jaws" author Peter Benchley expressed regrets about how the film contributed to fear and misunderstanding of these creatures.
Indeed, the film’s release sparked a rise in shark phobias and trophy hunting, contributing to the decline of shark populations. However, recent decades have seen a conservation turnaround. Megan Winton of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy describes the rebound of great white sharks off Massachusetts as a "huge conservation success story." Yet, with sharks spending significant time hunting seals in shallow waters, interactions with humans have occasionally turned tragic, such as the 2018 shark bite incidents on Cape Cod. Winton underscores that despite progress, sharks remain vulnerable, and much about their biology remains a mystery, including their mating and birthing habits.
The 50th anniversary has sparked a flurry of events on Martha's Vineyard, from film screenings and live performances of John Williams' iconic score to tours tracing the footsteps of Roy Scheider's Chief Brody through Edgartown and Menemsha. Michael Currid, who leads these tours, reports unprecedented bookings, reflecting the enduring fascination with the film and its setting. Shops and eateries embrace the mania with "Jaws"-themed products, while the local baseball team, the Sharks, plays in honor of the occasion.
Conservation advocacy also takes center stage. Lewis Pugh, a British long-distance swimmer, completed a grueling 12-day swim around Martha's Vineyard to raise awareness about shark protection. Pugh, who admits to fearing sharks himself, highlights the stark contrast between the few shark bites annually and the millions of sharks killed by humans worldwide, calling such losses "an ecocide." His message is clear: education, respect, and protection are vital.
For many, "Jaws" is more than a thriller; it is a layered critique of human nature and governance. A recent first-time viewer noted the film’s sharp pacing, humor, and the depth of its characters—Brody, Hooper, and Quint—who embody diverse approaches to fear and survival. The film’s portrayal of leadership prioritizing economic interests over public safety resonates today, echoing debates over pandemic responses and environmental crises.
Half a century later, "Jaws" remains a cinematic masterpiece, a cultural touchstone, and a catalyst for both tourism and conservation. Its legacy is as complex as the great white shark itself—feared, misunderstood, yet undeniably compelling. As Martha's Vineyard welcomes fans old and new, the island and the film continue their intertwined journey, inviting us all to dive beneath the surface and appreciate the stories, struggles, and splendor lurking just beyond the shore.
