Hooper sits on the desk on the bridge of the Orca. Subsequent to him, a person with thick sideburns begins to sing: “Show me the way to go home…” Hooper joins in, slapping the desk in rhythm and taking a swig from a cup of thriller booze. The boat rocks gently within the Atlantic tide as their voices echo throughout the open water.
Sounds acquainted, proper? You’d be forgiven for considering I’m describing a scene straight out of Jaws, and in a method, I’m. However this was additionally a really actual second I witnessed on the Jaws fiftieth Anniversary celebration, when Richard Dreyfuss himself climbed aboard the newly commissioned duplicate of the Orca on Martha’s Winery and gave followers a present.
It was simply certainly one of many surreal moments throughout my time on the island, masking (by way of the video embedded above) what can solely be described as a love letter to the best fishing film of all time. I used to be past excited to journey to the place the place all of it started, half a century after Spielberg’s nice white thriller redefined cinema. And the island has totally embraced its place in movie historical past. From the second I stepped off the ferry, it was clear: I wasn’t simply visiting the Winery. I used to be strolling into Amity. In every single place you turned, the Jaws spirit was alive, from native companies with shark-themed specials and decor, to costumed followers channeling Brody, Hooper, and Quint. Even the sharks had been actual, at the very least one nice white was noticed offshore throughout the weekend.
The spotlight for a lot of was the return of the Orca, lovingly rebuilt as a part of the Return of a Legend undertaking. Constructed by SMC Inc. with steering from unique Jaws manufacturing designer Joe Alves, the brand new Orca isn’t only a duplicate, it’s a floating tribute. This trustworthy recreation docked at Nancy’s in Oak Bluffs and drew crowds all weekend. One fan (who shall stay anonymous to cowl their film crimes) even introduced by a chunk he lifted from the unique Orca for followers to the touch, like some type of cinematic holy relic.
The Martha’s Winery Museum hosted Jaws: The Reunion, a garden get together honoring the locals who helped deliver the movie to life. One of many coolest issues was assembly the islanders who had been part of taking pictures the film again in 1974. From the lady who screams “shark!”, to the children with the pretend fin, In every single place you turned out right here, somebody had a story about that unforgettable summer season. Their tales and their delight made the celebration deeply private. Contained in the museum, the exhibit Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive featured unforgettable relics: Ben Gardner’s head, Mayor Vaughn’s anchor-print blazer, Quint’s harpoon gun, and extra. This exhibit runs by way of summer season as a part of the 12 months lengthy celebration which additionally features a go to from Broadway’s The Shark is Damaged, written by and starring Ian Shaw, son of Robert Shaw.
One other spotlight was Jaws in Live performance, an out of doors screening introduced by Alamo Drafthouse with a stay rating carried out by the Cape Cod Symphony, an ideal tribute to probably the most iconic movie scores of all time. Famously, Steven Spielberg initially thought John Williams’ now-legendary theme was a joke when he first heard it. However at this time, these two easy notes are immediately recognizable because the primal, carnal heartbeat of a shark changed into music. The occasion was launched by Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Traditional Motion pictures and featured a particular look by Richard Dreyfuss himself. And since this was an island screening, there was a uniquely private contact: at any time when an area who had appeared within the movie got here on display, they might rise up and take a bow. Watching Jaws alongside the very individuals who helped deliver it to life made the expertise really feel actually one-of-a-kind.
Premiering on the island this weekend was the Nationwide Geographic documentary Jaws @ 50, adopted by a celebratory afterparty on the very lodge the place the forged and crew stayed throughout the summer season of 1974.
The documentary, set to debut on Disney+, is a must-watch for Jaws followers, that includes brand-new behind-the-scenes tales, uncommon footage, and contemporary insights into the making of the movie that began all of it.
No Jaws pilgrimage can be full with out visiting the movie’s most iconic areas. I made stops at Brody’s home, the location of Quint’s shack, downtown Edgartown(which famously doubled as Amity), the city corridor, the seaside from the opening assault, and naturally, the legendary Jaws Bridge. Taking the leap into the waters beneath has turn into a ceremony of passage for followers.Sure, I jumped, and no, it wasn’t swish, so don’t anticipate to see the footage.
I additionally visited a lesser-known however deeply important spot: The Island Theater, the location of the unique Jaws premiere in 1975. It was right here that locals and crew gathered to see the movie they weren’t certain would even work, solely to witness the start of the primary summer season blockbuster. Whereas this theater holds an vital place in Jaws historical past, it’s at present closed and in want of great restoration. Nonetheless, one can’t assist however hope that sometime it is going to be revived. Simply think about how unimaginable it will be to observe Jaws once more, proper the place all of it started.
All in all, this was an outstanding celebration of a movie that continues to carry a particular place within the hearts of generations. Spending the weekend alongside followers, forged, and crew was a really unforgettable approach to mark this cinematic milestone. For a couple of days, I wasn’t simply visiting Martha’s Winery, I used to be totally immersed in Amity Island. To high all of it off, I obtained a Jaws-themed tattoo simply steps away from the docked Orca. After a weekend like this, how might I not? My love for Jaws is now completely inked, and I’ll drink to that leg.
From main occasions just like the return of the Orca and the Jaws in Live performance screening, to quieter moments like conversations with locals who had been a part of the unique manufacturing, each expertise, large or small, was a reminder of simply how deeply this movie resonates. The fervour, the nostalgia, the delight, it was all there, on full show. Fifty years later, it’s clear that Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece nonetheless has enamel. And judging by the power on the island, it’s not dropping its chunk any time quickly.
