Why Jaws Still Bites 50 Years Later With Author Pat Jankiewicz

To mark the 50th anniversary of Jaws, author and film historian Pat Jankiewicz dives deep into the legacy of the iconic 1975 film and its ripple effect on cinema, culture, and shark lore.

From behind-the-scenes stories and casting quirks to the fascinating inspirations behind the original novel, this episode is a rich tribute to one of the greatest American movies ever made. Pat brings his signature depth of knowledge and love for classic film to share stories that even die-hard fans might not know. Whether you're a lifelong Jaws fanatic or just rediscovering its magic, this episode is a nostalgic thrill ride into open waters.

Episode Highlights:

• Pat Jankiewicz breaks down how Jaws changed the face of filmmaking forever while honoring its legacy 50 years later.
• Why Jaws holds up despite being a product of the 1970s
• The real-life shark attacks that inspired Peter Benchley’s novel
• Casting chaos and the surprising path to Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss
• Behind-the-scenes drama and technical struggles during filming
• How Jaws defined the modern blockbuster and inspired Shark Week

More Pat? Check out episode 175, where we dive into The Incredible Hulk TV series.

You're going to love my conversation with Pat Jankiewicz

• Hulk Companion Book
• Buck Rogers Companion Book
• JAWS Companion Book
• IMDB

More Jaws?

• Jaws 2 deep dive with Billy Van Zandt
• Joe Alves - building the shark
• Carl Gottlieb interview

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Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
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