‘Jaws’ author’s widow still visits film’s shooting location
Share this @internewscast.com

The legacy of “Jaws” lives forever for Wendy Benchley.

The widow of “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, Benchley, who also serves as an executive producer on the new documentary “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,” shared with The Post the special bond she still feels with the legendary film.

“My wonderful husband, John Jeppson, and I have been married for 12, 13 years, and we spend our summers in Martha’s Vineyard every August,” Wendy said, referring to the Massachusetts island where “Jaws” was primarily filmed.

“Yeah, so Martha’s Vineyard is very much dear to our hearts and part of our life,” she added. “We see all these sites all the time.”

Wendy’s late husband authored the bestselling novel about a great white shark, which Steven Spielberg adapted into a suspenseful film. Peter passed away in 2006 at the age of 65.

Being involved in “Jaws @ 50” gave Wendy new insight into the incredible success of the 1975 film.

“Peter and I, after ‘Jaws’, went on to live our life,” she recalled. “Peter went on write more novels, we did a lot of expeditions with National Geographic, and we got into working with ocean conservation issues, and I did a lot of work with non-profits, and I have not been intimately connected to all of the fan clubs of ‘Jaws,’ and all of that happened afterwards.”

“So for me,” she continued, “there was that added fun and joy of reacquainting myself with the nuances of ‘Jaws’ and how brilliant Spielberg was with the techniques which the movie directors talked about. But also, I thought he was brilliant the way he had the local people and gave that great depth of character and all the wonderful faces that you saw and the people you got to know. I think that is one of the most powerful aspects of the film.”

Wendy added, “And that’s also what Peter did in his book. The book was about a great white shark, but it was also about the people who lived on this island who needed to make money to get through the winter and about how there are different approaches to this menace that they couldn’t control. So that is I think very much the heart and soul of what the book and the movie is about.”

The ocean conservationist advocate was “moved” by Spielberg’s retrospective comments about “Jaws” in the documentary.

“That was wonderful to listen to him talking about it and in such a personal way,” Wendy stated. “And honestly, I had not known and I don’t think anybody really knew how traumatizing it was to him to make this film and to have the shark breaking down and to have it over budget. And I’m so glad that David Brown and Richard Zanuck just stuck with him and that he was able to finish it off.”

“Jaws @ 50” premieres July 10 on National Geographic and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Families outraged after high school student in violent sex assault cases avoids prison as youthful offender

Community Outrage Erupts: High School Student Escapes Prison Despite Violent Assault Charges

The community of Payne County, Oklahoma, is in an uproar as parents…
Oswego, Illinois Chick-fil-A: Darryl Lee Jr., 19, charged with murder in stabbing attacks at restaurant on Route 34, officials say

Tragic Incident: 19-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Oswego’s Route 34 Chick-fil-A Stabbing

OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) — Authorities have charged a suspect in connection with…
Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance denounces driver's license checkpoint plan for Green Cove Springs

Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance Criticizes Proposed Driver’s License Checkpoint Initiative in Green Cove Springs

A proposed driver’s license checkpoint in Green Cove Springs, Florida, has sparked…
Eric Adams endorses once bitter rival Andrew Cuomo in New York City's mayoral race

Eric Adams Offers Support to Former Rival Andrew Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Campaign

In an unexpected political maneuver, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has…
Dashcam video shows deadly freeway crash involving suspected illegal immigrant trucker

Shocking Dashcam Footage Reveals Fatal Freeway Collision Involving Alleged Undocumented Trucker

A shocking dashcam video has emerged capturing a fatal incident on a…
Coast Guard nabs 50 tons of cocaine bound for posh coastal enclaves as cartel ops ‘rival Amazon’: expert

Coast Guard Seizes 50 Tons of Cocaine Destined for Luxury Coastal Areas, Says Expert

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently declared a significant triumph in the…
Palisades Fire suspect has courtroom outburst while pleading not guilty at arraignment

Suspect in Palisades Fire Case Disrupts Courtroom During Not Guilty Plea

The man accused of igniting what authorities have called “one of the…
Son learns fate years after brutal family murders in wealthy coastal enclave

Son Discovers Verdict Years After Grisly Family Tragedy in Affluent Coastal Community

A 34-year-old man from California has been found guilty of brutally murdering…
Minneapolis church shooting victim released from hospital after miraculous recovery

Miraculous Recovery: Minneapolis Church Shooting Survivor Triumphs with Hospital Release

Amidst applause and heartfelt cheers, Sophia Forchas made her triumphant exit from…
Rosa Parks and Helen Keller statues will be unveiled at the Alabama Capitol

Statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller Set for Unveiling at Alabama Capitol

Rep. Laura Hall, who played a crucial role in the legislation permitting…
Ted Cruz Calls $3 Billion US Aid to Israel a “Bargain”

Ted Cruz Labels $3 Billion US Aid to Israel as a “Bargain” Investment: A Strategic Perspective

At the recent Christians United for Israel Summit, Sen. Ted Cruz doubled…
Rosa Parks and Helen Keller statues unveiled at the Alabama Capitol

Statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller Unveiled at Alabama State Capitol

In a momentous event on Friday, the Alabama Capitol grounds witnessed the…