Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the bookshelf…

As a lifelong Jaws fan, I’ve already read pretty extensively about the making of the film, as well as devouring any number of DVD extras and specials that I’ve ever come across. As such, it’s sometimes hard to come across new information, so I was immensely pleased to find this wrapped up for me underneath the Christmas tree.

Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard is just that – a look at the production of Jaws through the eyes of the islanders of Martha’s Vineyard, whether they be the local kids and people recruited to be on film, one of the many who were hired as carpenters and handymen, the local sailors who wrangled the many boats needed both on film and off, or the local colour who found aspects of their personality immortalised on film in the character of Quint.

Comprising big, beautifully presented photographs from the islander’s home collections, representations of memorabilia or articles from the local newspaper, and tons of interviews with the locals, there’s all sorts of information and anecdotes within that I’d never come across before, which all built a picture of the huge community effort that went in to making the film. The experiences of people like Lynn Murphy, the local responsible for a lot of the towing of Bruce (the shark) that made it on to film and the kids (particularly Jay Mello) add fresh eyes to the making of the film, and their enthusiasm for what was going on around them was particularly infectious.

There are also lots of anecdotes which don’t reflect too well on the locals, such as those who went to great lengths to gouge as much money as they could out of the movie company – especially once the production was underway and they had the filmmakers over a barrel – if I was ever thinking of holidaying there, these people would most definitely put me off. 

I must admit I was surprised at just how much detail the local newspaper was allowed to print during filming, with each article detailing each scene shot in minute detail, down to the dialogue. And while it was a good thing that local reporter Edith Blake was constantly hanging, due to the amount of behind the scenes photographs collected from her for this book, I have to say that I don’t think much of her film criticism skills, what with her assessment that the final film just wasn’t very good.

Thankfully, this book is much better than Edith’s opinion of Jaws, and is a beautiful and extremely worthwhile addition to my collection.