‘The film certainly cost me a pound of flesh’: Spielberg returns to ‘Jaws’ via new Academy Museum exhibit

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When Steven Spielberg released his hit movie “Jaws” in 1975 at the age of 26, he was a young and talented director tackling a shark thriller that initially seemed to threaten his rising Hollywood career but ultimately cemented his place in film history. Recently, during a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to unveil an exhibition commemorating the film’s 50th anniversary, the now 78-year-old director admitted that he still felt as green and apprehensive as he did back then.

He informed the audience that he hadn’t prepared any comments for today, choosing instead to take a risk. In fact, he only had fresh memories from the past hour and a half, which were sparked by walking through the cleverly arranged exhibition.

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‘Jaws: The Exhibition’: Academy Museum celebrates the film that changed Hollywood

As I wandered through the galleries, what truly captivated me were the artifacts that miraculously endured, such as the buoy that surfaced following the harrowing opening attack in the movie, where a young woman was pulled under during a tranquil midnight swim by an elusive shark. “How could someone have thought to salvage this buoy, preserve it for half a century, and then lend it to the Academy?” I found myself pondering, clearly astonished. “It’s mind-boggling. How did they manage to save it when even I didn’t know about its existence?

From Sunday’s opening and continuing until July 2026, “Jaws: The Exhibition” will be the Academy Museum’s most extensive exhibition focusing on a single film, occupying approximately 11,000 square feet of the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery. This expansive display features over 200 artifacts, interactive experiences, and immersive environments.

Key attractions include:
– The original “Amity Island Welcomes You” sign (defaced, as per the storyline, by vandals adding a shark fin)
– A replica of the Orca’s cabin
– Joe Alves’ sketches depicting the shark attacks and early concept art
– Spielberg’s annotated scripts containing notes
– For enthusiasts: Quint’s harpoon gun and the original design blueprints for the mechanical sharks used to frighten Martha’s Vineyard in 1974.

The exhibition offers an experience beyond merely observing artifacts through glass; it encourages visitors to immerse themselves in filmmaking. Interactive sections provide opportunities for them to recreate the iconic dolly zoom scene, mimic the two-note theme from John Williams’ award-winning score, or manipulate a scaled model of the mechanical shark using hand controls.

It wasn’t shocking that “Jaws” was selected for this extensive exhibit, given that Steven Spielberg has been a prominent supporter of the museum, contributing $10 million towards its construction in 2013. The film itself marked the emergence of the modern summer blockbuster, holding the top spot at the U.S. box office for 14 straight weeks and transforming into a worldwide sensation that reshaped Hollywood’s strategy for releasing their biggest movies. Ever since the museum opened four years ago, its largest exhibit has been Bruce, a 25-foot shark model named after Spielberg’s lawyer, which now hangs on the fourth floor and has unofficially become the museum’s symbol.

Since the museum first opened its doors, Bruce has been a constant presence, as stated by Amy Homma, the museum’s director and president. Given this long-standing relationship, it seemed logical for us to delve deeper – in a metaphorical sense – to share more tales about the creation of the popular film. This film has maintained its charm and continues to captivate audiences spanning various generations. With such a rich history, we thought it fitting to dedicate our largest exhibition space, spanning 11,000 square feet, to telling these stories.

Gathering all the elements for the show took a three-year endeavor that turned out to be quite an epic. The curators had the advantage of diving into Steven Spielberg’s archive at Amblin, where they found sketches, notes, props, but their goal was not just limited to that. They also wanted to hunt through private collections, online auction records, and hidden storage spaces for rare items that many believed wouldn’t see the light of day again. One particularly elusive item they struggled to find was the Oscar won by editor Verna Fields, whose precise editing technique created the film’s gripping suspense. Eventually, the search led them to a purchase made on eBay.

Homma explains that a significant part of our curatorial team’s work is akin to treasure hunting, particularly when it comes to films produced in the 1970s. Back then, studios and archives didn’t usually keep hold of artifacts. Instead, many costumes, props, or even parts of them were often reused, recycled, or repurposed.

As a dedicated fan, I must say, this exhibition feels like stepping right into a Spielberg movie itself! The director’s personal archives add a unique charm – think a shark-tooth shaped clapper board, heartfelt notes from his secretary and producer, and even a thank-you note penned by the legendary Richard Zanuck. Costumes and props like Quint’s worn jacket, Hooper’s backpack, or Brody’s Amity police patch bring Amity Island to life, complete with familiar icons such as the “Beach Closed” sign and the iconic fiberglass shark fin used for surface shots. A page filled with shark facts scribbled in Spielberg’s handwriting showcases the meticulous research behind creating a truly convincing predator on screen.

One way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-reading style could be: “Unlike any other film prior, ‘Jaws’ showed how a successful movie could create an impact far beyond its screenplay, inspiring merchandise and spinoffs that shaped the modern blockbuster concept. The last gallery of the exhibition underscores this fact by presenting a wave of artifacts illustrating the shark’s longevity over decades. Posters from various countries showcase the film’s global influence, while exhibits are filled with 1975 memorabilia: Jaws t-shirts, shark-tooth jewelry, an old pinball machine, a coin-operated gumball dispenser, inflatable sharks, children’s board games, and beach towels.

At the Academy Museum, the “Jaws” exhibit builds upon earlier, more compact exhibitions focusing on the creation process behind “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Godfather.” Rather than merely celebrating a timeless classic, this exhibit aims to attract visitors. Interestingly, the film continues to captivate audiences, with its 50th anniversary re-release securing the second spot at the box office last month, outperforming two fresh releases: Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller “Caught Stealing” and the dark comedy “The Roses.

In Homma’s words, “We’re constantly considering both aspects – appealing to movie enthusiasts and those less familiar with film history, who are primarily tourists. It’s not about choosing one or the other; instead, it should always be a combination of both.

The museum is already planning something exciting for Steven Spielberg’s work – a comprehensive retrospective scheduled for 2028. This will be the broadest examination yet of his career, drawing on the success of “Jaws” and expanding to encompass his half-century of movie-making.

For Spielberg, the Jaws exhibition reminded him of the challenging experience of making a movie that initially seemed like it could be the end of his career. Numerous issues arose: a mechanical shark that frequently malfunctioned, uncooperative weather, and a production that extended by 100 days, causing crew members to feel seasick and demand a definitive conclusion, which he was unable to promise.

Stephen Spielberg shared that he felt his career might be at an end halfway through filming ‘Jaws’. People told him he’d struggle to find work again due to the film’s budget and time overruns, with him as a director being seen as a potential liability. Convinced this could be his last chance in Hollywood, Spielberg poured all his effort into the project.

In simpler terms, what helped them persevere, according to him, was a strong sense of friendship among the team members. He further explained that this bond made everyone feel more connected and he had never felt as close to a cast and crew as he did then.

In the long run, my efforts were rewarded. As he put it, “The movie definitely took its toll on me,” he admitted, “but it significantly boosted my professional standing.

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2025-09-11 22:31