A Famous Dramatic Film with Ties to Martha’s Vineyard
One of the most iconic and memorable films in American cinema history is undoubtedly "Jaws," which was released in 1975. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, "Jaws" tells the story of a giant man-eating great white shark terrorizing a fictional New England beach town called Amity Island.
What many people don't know is that "Jaws" has significant ties to Martha's Vineyard, a picturesque island located off the coast of Massachusetts. The island played a crucial role in the film's production, and it is still a popular destination for fans of the movie to this day. The filming of "Jaws" began in May 1974, with Martha's Vineyard standing in for the fictional Amity Island. The island was chosen because of its resemblance to the small, idyllic beach towns that line the New England coast.
The film crew spent nearly three months on the island, filming in locations like Menemsha Harbor, Edgartown Harbor, and South Beach. Perhaps the most famous location used in the film was the iconic Amity Island beach, where the shark attacks take place. This beach is actually known as Joseph Sylvia State Beach and is located on the southern coast of Martha's Vineyard. While filming on this beach, the production team faced a number of challenges, including poor weather conditions and the difficulty of filming on an active public beach.
Despite these challenges, the team was able to capture some of the most memorable scenes in the film, including the opening sequence where the young woman is attacked while swimming in the ocean. Martha's Vineyard also played a crucial role in the development of the film's most iconic character, the shark itself. The production team used several mechanical sharks, which were built by special effects artist Bob Mattey, to create the illusion of a live shark on screen. These sharks were operated by a team of puppeteers who were located both on land and in the water.
However, the mechanical sharks proved to be notoriously difficult to work with, breaking down frequently and causing significant delays in the filming schedule. As a result, Spielberg had to come up with creative ways to suggest the presence of the shark without actually showing it on screen. This led to the development of the film's now-famous musical score, composed by John Williams, which serves as a haunting and suspenseful accompaniment to many of the film's most tense scenes.
Today, Martha's Vineyard remains a popular destination for fans of "Jaws" who want to visit the locations where the film was shot. The island is home to several museums and exhibits dedicated to the film, including the Jaws Bridge, which is located in the town of Edgartown and was used in several key scenes in the movie.
In addition to these attractions, visitors can also take part in Jaws-themed tours and activities, such as boat tours of Menemsha Harbor and shark diving expeditions off the coast of the island. For those who want to learn more about the making of the film, there are also a number of books and documentaries available that provide an in-depth look at the production process and the challenges the crew faced while filming on Martha's Vineyard.
MV Auto Rental happily provides our valued customers with complimentary pick-up at all of the Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown Inns and Hotels in order to make your trip to the Island even easier. We have six (6) convenient locations, so whether you take a ferry to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, our offices are within walking distance to each terminal. We also have an office at 196 Upper Main Street in Edgartown, and offer complimentary pick-up/drop off service at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport. Please make your reservation online, or call us.
Our hours of operation are 8am - 6pm in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. If you require before or after hours pick-ups, please call us to make arrangements.