The Real Story Behind Jaws
The Real Story Behind Jaws
Valerie, 89, from Sydney, Australia, shares her experiences of working with the shark in the film Jaws.
Valerie, 89, from Sydney, Australia, shares her experiences of working with the shark in the film Jaws.
Valerie met her husband Ron in the 20s while joining a spearfishing club in Sydney, and they started specialising in sharks.
Valerie met her husband Ron in the 20s while joining a spearfishing club in Sydney, and they started specialising in sharks.
In 1969, Valerie and Ron were commissioned to play themselves in the film Blue Water, White Death.
In 1969, Valerie and Ron were commissioned to play themselves in the film Blue Water, White Death.
The following year, they were approached by movie producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown to make a movie out of Peter Benchley's book Jaws.
The following year, they were approached by movie producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown to make a movie out of Peter Benchley's book Jaws.
The film was shot in South Australia, off Dangerous Reef, and featured three great whites swimming around.
The film was shot in South Australia, off Dangerous Reef, and featured three great whites swimming around.
To make the 24-foot shark look bigger, they used a half-sized shark-proof cage, a half-sized boat, and a "half-sized" stuntman.
To make the 24-foot shark look bigger, they used a half-sized shark-proof cage, a half-sized boat, and a "half-sized" stuntman.
Carl Rizzo, the reluctant stuntman, played the role of Matt Hooper in the film and was saved by his reluctance to get in the water.
Carl Rizzo, the reluctant stuntman, played the role of Matt Hooper in the film and was saved by his reluctance to get in the water.
The film Jaws had a negative impact on the public's perception of sharks, with Valerie and Ron trying to educate the public about sharks.
The film Jaws had a negative impact on the public's perception of sharks, with Valerie and Ron trying to educate the public about sharks.
The film demonised sharks, making them out to be monsters that attack humans without reason.
The film demonised sharks, making them out to be monsters that attack humans without reason.
Jaws is still a beloved film today, and its legacy continues to be felt in the film industry and beyond.
Jaws is still a beloved film today, and its legacy continues to be felt in the film industry and beyond.