National Geographic Releases Jaws @ 50 With Exclusive Interviews
A crew examines the mechanical shark on the set of Jaws. (Photo by Edith Blake, courtesy of Martha's Vineyard Museum)
National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2025 Showcases The Untold Story Behind The Making Of Cinema’s Shark Thriller Classic
National Geographic commemorates 50 years of the blockbuster film Jaws with JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY, the only authorized documentary endorsed by Steven Spielberg. Airing 13 July on National Geographic and Disney+ in South Africa, this 90-minute documentary offers never-before-seen footage, personal insights from Spielberg, and interviews with an all-star lineup including J.J. Abrams, George Lucas, Jordan Peele, Guillermo del Toro, and Jaws’ original cast and crew.
Produced in collaboration with Amblin Documentaries, Nedland Films, and Wendy Benchley, this deep dive revisits the high-stakes production, cultural phenomenon, and enduring legacy of a film that redefined Hollywood and reshaped humanity’s relationship with sharks. It unpacks the so-called “Jaws Effect,” balancing the narrative from fear to fascination, highlighting modern shark conservation efforts and pop culture influence.
Director Laurent Bouzereau crafts a definitive retrospective, featuring rare footage from Spielberg’s archives and heartfelt commentary from Peter Benchley’s family and global marine advocates. This is more than a behind-the-scenes — it’s a cultural reckoning and a cinematic love letter to the film that made us afraid to go back in the water.
JAWS @ 50 isn’t just a documentary. It’s a reaffirmation of the power of film, the resilience of the creative process, and the unexpected ways one movie can alter both culture and conservation for half a century.
Premieres 13 July at 21:00 (CAT) on National Geographic (DStv 181, StarTimes 220)
Repeats 26 July at 18:00 on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182, StarTimes 221)
Also streaming on Disney+ South Africa.
