Steven Spielberg and Nat Geo mark ‘Jaws’ 50th anniversary with exclusive documentary, including fresh interviews and rare archive clips

LOS ANGELES — It’s been almost 50 years since “Jaws” was released, and since then, cinema – and our relationship with sharks – has changed forever.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic hit, celebrated with the release of “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,” the only authorized documentary about the film. This special will be available on National Geographic on July 10 of this summer.

The documentary runs for 90 minutes and offers a comprehensive look behind the scenes, featuring rare footage and fresh interviews. It explores Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel and delves into the global fascination with sharks that the film sparked, inspiring many storytellers, scientists, and ocean advocates.

Produced for National Geographic by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, “Jaws @ 50” is made in collaboration with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling. Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, known for his work on “Music by John Williams,” this project sees Spielberg revisiting the film that launched his illustrious career.

According to National Geographic, “Through candid new reflections, Spielberg recounts the high-stakes production, from battling a malfunctioning mechanical shark and relentless weather delays to his own post-production PTSD and fears the film would end his career.”

The documentary also includes exclusive interviews with the original cast and crew, including Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner) and composer John Williams.

Celebrity filmmakers and actors including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis and more are also featured in the film, discussing how “Jaws” impacted their work and cinema thereafter.

Interviews are accompanied by never-before-seen footage from Spielberg and Benchley’s personal archives.

And more than just a behind-the-scenes look at the film, “Jaws @ 50” also features meaningful conversations with “leading marine advocates and scientists-including Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, Dr. Greg Skomal and others.”

It also offers a glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind the “Jaws” novel, with “insights from Peter Benchley’s wife, renowned voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley; their children, Tracy Benchley Turner and Clayton Benchley; and his brother, Nat Benchley.”

“Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story” premieres July 10 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of National Geographic, Disney+, Hulu and this ABC station.