When “Jaws” started filming in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in 1974, all signs pointed to disaster.

The mechanical figures, meant to portray the massive white shark that terrorizes Amity Island, kept failing, delaying production and frustrating the cast and crew. Director Steven Spielberg was then just 26 and new to big-budget filmmaking. Filming on the ocean, coupled with mechanical shark problems, caused production to run late and over budget. The production was so fraught that it inspired a play, written by star Richard Shaw’s son, aptly titled “The Shark is Broken.”

And yet.

“Jaws” was a massive hit, becoming the highest-grossing film ever at the time. It invented the concept of the summer blockbuster. It was nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards and won three, including one for composer John Williams’ now-iconic score. And its masterful control of suspense has inspired countless copycats.

Even 50 years after its premiere, “Jaws” still thrills audiences — and its tumultuous production is still legendary.

From left, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss share a moment of levity while filming on the open water, shortly before the actors' characters face off with the shark.
From left, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss share a moment of levity while filming on the open water, shortly before the actors' characters face off with the shark.
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Scheider, second from left, films a scene from the opening of "Jaws," when the people of Amity Island still don't quite fear the water.
Scheider, second from left, films a scene from the opening of "Jaws," when the people of Amity Island still don't quite fear the water.
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Shaw, who plays the gruff, shark-hating veteran Quint, lies on the stern of the Orca, Quint's boat. The veteran actor's troubles during the film's production were documented in the play "The Shark is Broken," written by his son Ian.
Shaw, who plays the gruff, shark-hating veteran Quint, lies on the stern of the Orca, Quint's boat. The veteran actor's troubles during the film's production were documented in the play "The Shark is Broken," written by his son Ian.
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Spielberg, left, and Scheider discuss a scene set on a crowded beach on Amity Island. The beaches of Martha's Vineyard stood in for the fictional locale.
Spielberg, left, and Scheider discuss a scene set on a crowded beach on Amity Island. The beaches of Martha's Vineyard stood in for the fictional locale.
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Left: Spielberg directs from a lifeguard chair. Right: Lorraine Gary and Scheider embrace. Gary played Scheider's character's wife, Ellen.
Left: Spielberg directs from a lifeguard chair. Right: Lorraine Gary and Scheider embrace. Gary played Scheider's character's wife, Ellen.
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Spielberg, second from left, and his crew get chilly filming an underwater scene off the coast of Massachusetts.
Spielberg, second from left, and his crew get chilly filming an underwater scene off the coast of Massachusetts.
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Cinematographer Bill Butler lines up a shot during filming. Butler also shot "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," the film that beat "Jaws" for best picture at the Oscars.
Cinematographer Bill Butler lines up a shot during filming. Butler also shot "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," the film that beat "Jaws" for best picture at the Oscars.
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Richard Dreyfuss smiles from the diving cage where his character, shark researcher Matt Hooper, gets up close with the toothy villain. To make that scene feel more real, the crew <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F05%2Fentertainment%2Fjaws-movie-40th-anniversary-feat">shot</a> real footage of sharks from a cage in Australia.
Richard Dreyfuss smiles from the diving cage where his character, shark researcher Matt Hooper, gets up close with the toothy villain. To make that scene feel more real, the crew shot real footage of sharks from a cage in Australia.
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Shaw admires the mechanical shark from the stern of the Orca, during one of the rare moments the figure was actually operating.
Shaw admires the mechanical shark from the stern of the Orca, during one of the rare moments the figure was actually operating.
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Susan Backlinie and Spielberg prepare to shoot the film's iconic opening, which doesn't end well for the skinny-dipper played by Backlinie. During production, the crew wasn't sure if the film was "going to flop on its face," Backlinie <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2010%2FSHOWBIZ%2FMovies%2F06%2F29%2Fjaws.anniversary%2Findex.html">told</a> CNN in 2010.
Susan Backlinie and Spielberg prepare to shoot the film's iconic opening, which doesn't end well for the skinny-dipper played by Backlinie. During production, the crew wasn't sure if the film was "going to flop on its face," Backlinie told CNN in 2010.
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Left: Jay Mello, center, who plays Chief Brody's son Sean, displays a hand covered with fake blood. Right: Onlookers watch artificial shark fins cut through the water during a tense scene.
Left: Jay Mello, center, who plays Chief Brody's son Sean, displays a hand covered with fake blood. Right: Onlookers watch artificial shark fins cut through the water during a tense scene.
Pamela Schall/WWD/Penske Media/Getty Images
Spielberg, left, and Dreyfuss consider a shark carcass, brought to shore by Amity Island fishermen who believe they've caught the murderous culprit. Dreyfuss <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfair.com%2Fhollywood%2F2023%2F07%2Fjaws-making-of-spielberg-interview%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOopI6ZP8fWZrTbENkPtgy50NJ3sit5uLz_0OMgGyNAe6gdVd9SQw" target="_blank">wasn't</a> Spielberg's first choice for Hooper, but he was convinced after watching the actor in "American Graffiti."
Spielberg, left, and Dreyfuss consider a shark carcass, brought to shore by Amity Island fishermen who believe they've caught the murderous culprit. Dreyfuss wasn't Spielberg's first choice for Hooper, but he was convinced after watching the actor in "American Graffiti."
Courtesy Everett Collection
Scheider, left, and Spielberg examine footage from the day's production. Spielberg <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfair.com%2Fhollywood%2F2023%2F07%2Fjaws-making-of-spielberg-interview%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOopI6ZP8fWZrTbENkPtgy50NJ3sit5uLz_0OMgGyNAe6gdVd9SQw" target="_blank">said</a> he cast Scheider after running into the actor at a party, and Scheider recommended himself for the part.
Scheider, left, and Spielberg examine footage from the day's production. Spielberg said he cast Scheider after running into the actor at a party, and Scheider recommended himself for the part.
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Crew gather outside the Universal Studios production office for "Jaws" on Martha's Vineyard. The community was "thrilled" that "Jaws" was shot on the island, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mvy.com%2Fjaws-on-marthas-vineyard" target="_blank">according</a> to the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
Crew gather outside the Universal Studios production office for "Jaws" on Martha's Vineyard. The community was "thrilled" that "Jaws" was shot on the island, according to the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
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Spielberg prepares to shoot a boat scene in the Nantucket Sound off of Martha's Vineyard. The scenes shot in open water were some of the most challenging in the film, owing to choppy conditions and difficulty with the shark figures.
Spielberg prepares to shoot a boat scene in the Nantucket Sound off of Martha's Vineyard. The scenes shot in open water were some of the most challenging in the film, owing to choppy conditions and difficulty with the shark figures.
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