DeVry University
The novel JAWS was conceived by author Peter Benchley which was released in 1974. Prior to the publication of the novel, Jaws immediately went out to movie auctions. Universal bought the rights for $150,000 in 1973, which was for Benchley, "the moon" (Davis, 2012). Robert Brown and Robert Zanuck loved the book so much that they immediately looked for a director to bring this book to life on the motion picture screen. An unknown individual named Steven Spielberg was hired to bring this story to life for viewing audiences. “We started the film without a script, without a cast and without a shark," Richard Dreyfuss would tell James Lipton during a taping of Inside the Actor's Studio years later (Nashawaty, 2011). Many screen writers including Steven Spielberg, Peter Benchley, Howard Sackler, Carl Gottileb, and John Millis changed the subplots of the book JAWS in order to make a believably terrifying movie experience based on Peter Benchley’s novel. The book is about the fictional town Amity that relies on the revenue during the summer months from tourism with many character subplots afoot while a large predator patrols the water surrounding the island. The movie plot was simplified and can be summed up in the following sentences. The Beaches surrounding the town of Amity are pristine and inviting. Below the surface of the water lurks a Great White Shark on the prowl for its next meal. The battle between man and beast will ensue, who will be the victor? Ellen Brody is the wife of the main character Chief Brody. The book describes Ellen and Matt Hooper’s love affair. Matt Hooper is marine biologist that is called assess to assess the shark attack that claimed the life of a local boy. It is revealed that Ellen and Matt have previously been acquainted prior to Ellen becoming Mrs. Brody. Ellen is described as a selfish individual that has married