This week sees the 40th Birthday of Steven Spielberg's enduring cinematic masterpiece Jaws and to celebrate Bruce's Birthday we have, courtesy of publishers HarperCollins, three paperback copies of Carl Gottlieb's definitive making of Jaws book - the Jaws Log Expanded Edition to give away.
What can I possibly say about Steven Spielberg's modern masterpiece Jaws that you have not read countless times before? (Further below I actually do write some stuff you may have not read before) 40 Years on and despite changing audience trends it still holds up as a tension fraught classic. One I have seen in various forms over the years, most recently a screening of the gorgeously restored Blu-ray version, which took me right back to the extreme horror and humour experienced when I first saw it.
There are many great books taking you behind the scenes on making of films but off the top of my head there are three definitive - making of film books that every film fan requires on their bookshelf, in no particular order:
1. Jerome Agel's The Making of Kubrick's 2001 - since its 1970 publication Taschen have brought out a number of beautiful and insightful Kubrick books worth investing in.
and
3.Carl Gottlieb's The Jaws Log.
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Win The Jaws Log (ZOOM) |
THE JAWS LOG is like a little movie-director bible.”
The ‘making-of’ story is nearly as good as the film itself…[Gottlieb’s]
behind-the-scenes account of the production is riveting.”
Hired by Spielberg as a screenwriter to work with him on the set while the movie was being made, Carl Gottlieb, an actor and writer, was there throughout the production that starred Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss.
After filming was over, with Spielberg's cooperation, Gottlieb chronicled the extraordinary yearlong adventure in The Jaws Log, which was first published in 1975 and has sold more than two million copies. This expanded edition includes a photo section, an introduction by Benchley, and an afterword by Gottlieb that gives updates about the people and events involved in the film, ultimately providing a singular portrait of a famous movie and inspired moviemaking.
Carl Gottlieb's The Jaws Log was first published in 1975 and gone on to sell over 2 million copies in 17 printings. But wait that's not all as the new Expanded Edition has some additional material:
We actually received these prize copies of The Jaws Log to giveaway timed with the release of Jaws onto Blu-ray but they fell down the back of a couch and after rediscovering them - this week, the week of Jaws' 40 Birthday and the start of Summer seems as good a time to give them away as any. See details further below on how to get your hands on a paperback copy of Carl Gottlieb's must have Jaws Log.
Jaws (1975) When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it. Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb Stars: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Bruce
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I never tire of Jaws as new facets of it always seem to present themselves. When I was younger my interest was piqued by the involvement of National Geographic regulars Ron & Valerie Taylor in the production, then on eventually seeing the film - being blown away by the spectacle and horror.
For awhile it was all about Roy Scheider's Police Chief Brody a man against a corrupt system as well as a wayward nature. Then it was all about the mastery of a young Spielberg bringing all the elements together into a great film, in spite of ridiculous filming conditions, but currently it's all of those things overshadowed by the the relationship and bond between the three leads Robert Shaw's crusty old sea dog Captain Quint, Richard Dreyfuss' scholarly Marine Biologist Matt Hooper and Scheider's Chief Brody thrown into a situation like a fish out of water.
Is there any other film that has successfully brought a similar formula of protagonists to the screen?
1. Bruce the sometimes working animatronic shark known as Jaws was named after Steven Spielberg's lawyer Bruce Ramer.
2. Did you know that between his debut feature film Schlock and making the great Kentucky Fried Movie and huge hit Animal House Director John Landis worked on Jaws.
3. Steven Spielberg was actually the third choice to direct Jaws.
4. Spielberg had second thoughts about being involved in Jaws as he was concerned that he would be known as an action director specialising in contests between brave men and insensate killers.
5. Japan's Toho Studios were almost brought into production to work on effects
6. When work started on the film, Peter Benchley's international best seller had not been released as yet.
7. The production requirements of the shark action scenes had never been attempted done before, there was nothing of this scale to compare it to.
8. Richard Dreyfuss had never been on a boat prior to shooting Jaws.
9. Charlton Heston was very nearly cast as Chief Brody. Timothy Bottoms & Jeff Bridges were considered for the role of Hooper and Sterling Hayden was the first choice for Quint.
10. Carl Gottlieb reveals his recollections and evidence off the actual author of the much discussed Indianapolis speech dialogue.
On a related note London's own home of Cult film The Prince Charles Cinema is screening Jaws on the 4th of July more information can be found here: Jaws
First published in 1975, book sold over 2 million copies in 17 printings. Expanded Edition with brand new cover art – featuring original artwork used by Universal.
Extras include introductions by Jaws author Peter Benchley and Gottlieb, a 22-page behind-the-scenes photo section, and a 25-page “Endnotes” section of updates and additional details on the filmmakers since the release of Jaws
Coincides with August 14th release of DIGITALLY REMASTERED AND FULLY RESTORED BLU-RAY from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Now, timed to coincide with the film’s Blu-Ray release on August 14, 2012, digitally remastered and fully restored in honor of Universal’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, comes a new edition of the only book on the making of the film – THE JAWS LOG-The Expanded Edition
Written by Carl Gottlieb, the co-screenwriter who worked on the set, side by side with Spielberg, while the movie was being made, the book chronicles the production of the groundbreaking movie with detail and humor.
An immediate bestseller upon publication in 1975, selling over 2 million copies and generating 17 printings, THE JAWS LOG is a unique and insightful document on how films get made, and paints a remarkable portrait of young director Steven Spielberg. From the acquisition of Peter Benchley’s novel “Jaws” by producers Zanuck and Brown in early 1973 to the development of the script, from location scouting to misadventures with locals on Martha’s Vineyard, from the casting of Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw to the construction of “Bruce” the shark, through the early test screenings and release of the film, Gottlieb has written a memorable account of the production of one of America’s most acclaimed films, named the #2 thriller of the past 100 years by the American Film Institute.
THE JAWS LOG includes a 22-page section of behind-the-scenes photographs of the principals at work and at rest on the set of the film. From checking on “Bruce” the shark’s makeup to sinking and raising the Orca, to the author’s own unfortunate tumble in the water, this whimsical collection of candid shots faithfully captures the filmmakers’ daily struggles to complete Jaws.
Since its initial publication, THE JAWS LOG has become a valuable reference for filmmakers and film fans alike. Some of today’s most acclaimed directors, including Steven Soderbergh, Bryan Singer, Rob Reiner, John Landis and Rod Lurie, readily acknowledge the insight and wisdom they’ve gained from the book’s pages when making their own films.
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The Establishing Shot: WIN THE JAWS LOG, A Photo by Craig Grobler, On Flickr |
The fine print:
Standard competition rules and common sense apply.
For more information and to find out where to buy The Jaws Log head over to HarperCollins or the books official website at: http://www.jawslog.com/
For more information on the restored high definition release of Jaws on Blu-ray head over to the official site here: http://www.jawsonbluray.com/
The Establishing Shot: WIN! CELEBRATE SUMMER & JAWS' 40TH BIRTHDAY BY WINNING THE DEFINITIVE MAKING OF JAWS BOOK CARL GOTTLIEB'S THE JAWS LOG (EXPANDED EDITION) - COMPETITION
Craig is a retired superhero, an obsessive hobbyist, comics fan, gadget lover & flâneur who knows an unhealthy amount about Ian Fleming's James Bond. When not watching or making films he takes pictures, eats, drinks, dives, tries to connect to nature whilst mentally storyboarding the greatest film ever made. He also & sometimes utilises owl-themed gadgets to fight crime. A list of his 133 favourite films can be found here! If you would still like to contact Craig please use any of the buttons below: |
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