Jaws @ 50: Filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau on the Definitive Inside Story

10 Jul

Season 2, Episode 012

Jaws @ 50 Poster — Image courtesy of National Geographic

In This Episode

Episode Description:

Just when you thought it was safe...
Since its release in 1975, Steven Spielberg's Jaws has reshaped Hollywood filmmaking, defining the modern blockbuster era and igniting a cultural obsession with sharks. As the icon resurfaces in cinemas and continues to make waves, it’s time to get back in the water and take a closer look at the film that still terrifies and inspires half a century later.

National Geographic’s SHARKFEST is spotlighting the ocean’s most infamous predator with more than 25 hours of content, including a look into the legacy of Jaws. From National Geographic, Amblin Entertainment and Nedland Media, Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story honours the cinematic landmark but also delves into how Jaws reshaped the movie business and the public perception of sharks.

Renowned filmmaker and best-selling author Laurent Bouzereau has spent decades chronicling the untold stories behind cinema’s greatest moments, from documentary films about the life of Faye Dunaway to the legacy of Natalie Wood and the music of John Williams. He is the author behind books on cinema such as Spielberg: The First Ten Years and The De Palma Decade. His connection to Jaws goes back to 1995, when he documented the making of Jaws for its LaserDisc release, an experience that set the stage for his long-time collaboration with Steven Spielberg.

Bouzereau’s documentary Jaws @ 50 offers a true cinematic deep dive into the making of Spielberg’s iconic adventure, providing freshly caught insights from marine advocates and modern filmmakers, never-before-seen treasures from author Peter Benchley and Spielberg's personal archives, as well as in-depth interviews with those who lived the chaos behind the camera. As Jaws @ 50 premieres on National Geographic and launches on Disney+, Bouzereau joins Film Review to discuss the challenges of re-telling the story behind the legend and reflect on the enduring relevance of Jaws.