One of the most famous and unforgettable opening scenes in the history of film is the start of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. The film, credited as being the first ever “blockbuster” and responsible for launching the blockbuster genre that we know today, has an extremely memorable opening. In the scene, Chrissie Watkins (Susan Backlinie) leaves a beach party after dusk and goes for a swim. Alone (or so she thinks) in the water, she suddenly feels something pull at her from underneath. She is shaken violently from beneath and dragged side to side before eventually being pulled underwater, not to be seen again.
The scene is certainly an attention getter for the audience, as we don’t see exactly what attacked Chrissie. One of the most interesting aspects (in my opinion) is how it was accomplished. So how exactly was it pulled off by Spielberg and his crew?
In many of the shark attack scenes in the film, the original plan was for the audience to actually see the shark. However, due to the many mechanical problems with the robotic shark (named “Bruce”), Spielberg was forced to use the camera to simulate the point-of-view of the shark. This most likely ended up actually “saving” the film and helped it become such a success. In the opening scene, however, Spielberg had decided up front to not show the shark to the audience. He noted, “I thought that what could really be scary was not seeing the shark and just seeing the water; because we all are familiar with the water---very few of us have been in the water with a shark, but we’ve all gone swimming. And the idea of this girl going swimming and the audience going swimming with her would’ve been too extraordinary if, like a leviathan, the shark had come out of the water with its jaws agape and had come down on her…it would’ve been a spectacular opening for the film. But there would’ve been nothing primal about it—it would just have been a ‘monster moment’ that we’ve all seen” (Making of Jaws). Ultimately, during the attack, Spielberg wanted the audience to imagine what was happening underneath, rather than showing it. This ended being a fantastic technique, as one’s imagination can really run wild and think of just about anything that is attacking the character.
The scene is certainly an attention getter for the audience, as we don’t see exactly what attacked Chrissie. One of the most interesting aspects (in my opinion) is how it was accomplished. So how exactly was it pulled off by Spielberg and his crew?
In many of the shark attack scenes in the film, the original plan was for the audience to actually see the shark. However, due to the many mechanical problems with the robotic shark (named “Bruce”), Spielberg was forced to use the camera to simulate the point-of-view of the shark. This most likely ended up actually “saving” the film and helped it become such a success. In the opening scene, however, Spielberg had decided up front to not show the shark to the audience. He noted, “I thought that what could really be scary was not seeing the shark and just seeing the water; because we all are familiar with the water---very few of us have been in the water with a shark, but we’ve all gone swimming. And the idea of this girl going swimming and the audience going swimming with her would’ve been too extraordinary if, like a leviathan, the shark had come out of the water with its jaws agape and had come down on her…it would’ve been a spectacular opening for the film. But there would’ve been nothing primal about it—it would just have been a ‘monster moment’ that we’ve all seen” (Making of Jaws). Ultimately, during the attack, Spielberg wanted the audience to imagine what was happening underneath, rather than showing it. This ended being a fantastic technique, as one’s imagination can really run wild and think of just about anything that is attacking the character.
For the opening scene (and for most of the other shark attack scenes), Spielberg shot from the point-of-view of the shark, allowing the audience to fully share in the experience.
In regard to exactly how the jerking motion was accomplished for the scene, Susan Backlinie (Chrissie) quoted, “The first jerk-down Steven [Spielberg] did. He had a cable that came to the front of my stomach and went to an anchor that was laying at the bottom of the ocean…and then he just sat and when he wanted that pulled he just would pull” (Making of Jaws).
To accomplish the side-to-side “thrashing” from the shark, cables on either side were attached to Backlinie and run to two pilings. The cables were then run to the beach, where 5-6 men on each line would pull the cables by running back and forth to two different marks placed on the beach. To ensure Backlinie’s safety, she was outfitted with a special string that she could pull to release herself from the cables that were pulling her.
To accomplish the side-to-side “thrashing” from the shark, cables on either side were attached to Backlinie and run to two pilings. The cables were then run to the beach, where 5-6 men on each line would pull the cables by running back and forth to two different marks placed on the beach. To ensure Backlinie’s safety, she was outfitted with a special string that she could pull to release herself from the cables that were pulling her.
Actress Susan Backlinie (left) and director Steven Spielberg (right) during production of the opening scene.
Backlinie being outfitted with the cables for the opening shark attack scene in Jaws.
One other minor detail of note in the making of the scene was Chrissie’s gurgling sound during the attack. To accomplish this drowning sound effect, Backlinie was positioned, head upturned, in front of a microphone, where water from above was poured down her throat (IMDB).
Written by Anthony Watkins
WORKS CITED
Jaws. Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Prod. David Brown and Richard B. Zanuck. 1975. Special Edition Blu-Ray. Universal Pictures, 1975.
IMDB. 2014. 01 March. 2014. <http://www.imdb.com>.
Below you will find the opening scene of Jaws.
Written by Anthony Watkins
WORKS CITED
Jaws. Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Prod. David Brown and Richard B. Zanuck. 1975. Special Edition Blu-Ray. Universal Pictures, 1975.
IMDB. 2014. 01 March. 2014. <http://www.imdb.com>.
Below you will find the opening scene of Jaws.
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