‘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
Worker at swanky country club accused of using AI to create explicit photos of teen: police

Scandal at Elite Country Club: Employee Allegedly Uses AI to Produce Inappropriate Teen Images

An individual from Florida finds himself incarcerated after being accused of using…
Dem Sen. Chris Murphy bizarrely applauds disputed report that Iran broke through US blockade: ‘Shameful’

Senator Chris Murphy Praises Controversial Report on Iran’s Alleged Breach of US Blockade: ‘Shameful’ Reaction Stirs Debate

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who has been garnering attention as…
Suspect allegedly guns down deputy in ambush during routine call that rocked quiet town, police say

Quiet Town Shaken: Deputy Fatally Ambushed During Routine Call, Suspect at Large

An Oklahoma sheriff’s deputy lost his life and a police chief was…
Pentagon releases dramatic footage of moment US forces intercept sanctioned oil tanker

Watch: US Forces Intercept Sanctioned Oil Tanker in Tense Encounter

The Department of Defense has unveiled footage showing U.S. military forces intercepting…
Virginia voters approve gerrymandered congressional maps

Virginia Voters Greenlight Controversial Gerrymandered Congressional Maps: Here’s What It Means

Virginia voters have narrowly passed a contentious redistricting referendum that could significantly…
Shocking footage shows Ukrainian drones hunting down Russian troops sneaking behind enemy lines on horseback

Unbelievable Drone Footage: Ukrainian Drones Track Russian Troops’ Stealthy Horseback Movement

In an audacious yet ill-fated attempt, a group of disheveled Russian soldiers…
Mexico pyramid shooter Julio César Jasso planned Teotihuacán massacre for 2 months, had picture in hotel room showing scene of attack: reports

Reports Reveal Julio César Jasso Planned Teotihuacán Pyramid Attack for Two Months; Hotel Room Displayed Attack Site Image

A gunman with Nazi sympathies, who tragically shot a Canadian tourist and…
Car explodes during alleged street takeover on Chicago's South Side as city battles wave of incidents

Dramatic Car Explosion Rocks Chicago’s South Side Amid Ongoing Street Takeover Surge

Over the weekend, a vehicle detonated during a suspected street takeover on…
Two CIA Agents Reportedly Killed in Fiery Crash in Mexico, Leftist President Sheinbaum Demands Answers

Two CIA Officers Allegedly Perish in Fiery Mexico Crash; President Sheinbaum Seeks Clarity

In a tragic turn of events, two CIA agents lost their lives…
Activist tied to Oprah, Biden stabbed and teacher mom slain in ambush in quiet neighborhood

Tragic Ambush in Peaceful Suburb Claims Lives of Prominent Activist and Beloved Teacher

A typically tranquil neighborhood in Southern California has been thrust into turmoil…
'TikTok Trickster' con artist with more than 30 aliases accused of robbing romantic partners he met online

Online Romance Scammer with Over 30 Aliases Allegedly Swindles Partners

In a tale that reads like a script from a crime drama,…
Fugitive caregivers finally caught after disabled girl, 14, suffered horrific starvation death

Fugitive Caregivers Arrested After Tragic Death of 14-Year-Old Girl Due to Starvation

Authorities in Washington state have apprehended two caregivers accused of the murder…