Key Takeaways:
– Filmmaker Steven Spielberg compares his iconic thriller ‘Jaws' to his lesser-known 1971 television film ‘Duel'.
– Spielberg spoke with Vanity Fair about his creative process behind making ‘Jaws', which he argued was a continuation of his earlier work.
– Spielberg's ‘Jaws' and ‘Duel' share common themes of vulnerability, terror, and the human condition under intense stress.
When the excitement of storytelling meets the magic of cinema, a masterpiece like ‘Jaws' is born. This is especially true when the creative genius behind that tale is none other than acclaimed film director Steven Spielberg. Recently, Spielberg let fans in on a secret – that ‘Jaws' was not a standalone classic but shared its narrative roots with Spielberg's lesser-known 1971 television film ‘Duel'.
The Fascinating Link Between ‘Duel' And ‘Jaws'
Steven Spielberg, whose cinematic creations have held audiences worldwide spellbound, made an exciting revelation about one of his greatest accomplishments, the thriller ‘Jaws.' In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, he unveiled the surprising connection between ‘Jaws' and ‘Duel', pointing out how the latter acted as a narrative foundation for the former.
Interestingly, Spielberg explained that when he initially pitched himself as a director for the ‘Jaws' project, he urged producers David Brown and Dick Zanuck to watch ‘Duel' first. He believed highlighting the striking thematic similarity between the two films, where innocent people are terrorized by seemingly unstoppable forces, would demonstrate his capability to handle ‘Jaws.' Moreover, Spielberg stated that even the sound effects used in both films were the same, adding further weight to his argument.
Why Spielberg Sees ‘Jaws' As A Sequel To ‘Duel'
Steven Spielberg's revelation about the relation between ‘Duel' and ‘Jaws' was indeed eye-opening. In his discussion with Vanity Fair, Spielberg went as far as suggesting that ‘Jaws' was essentially a sequel to ‘Duel'. Though the concept might appear far-fetched to some, Spielberg had valid reasons to back it.
According to Spielberg, both ‘Duel' and ‘Jaws' revolve around the central theme of innocent people being terrorized by an insurmountable force – a tanker truck in the former and a great white shark in the latter. Spielberg saw more than just a random parallel between the two. He took it as an opportunity to continue exploring a theme close to his heart – vulnerability and the human condition under extreme pressure. The comparison between the two films extended beyond the common theme and led Spielberg to perceive ‘Jaws' as the water-bound sequel to his previous underrated thriller.
Exploring Spielberg's Mastery Of Tension And Suspense
The behind-the-scenes story of Spielberg's linking of ‘Jaws' and ‘Duel' uncovers the depth of his creative process. It's evident that themes of vulnerability, overwhelming terror, and the pressures exerted on the human psyche are topmost in his directorial designs. This revelation allows fans to view ‘Jaws' from a different perspective, as a continuation of Spielberg's narrative exploration, not just as a standalone film.
While ‘Jaws' remains a celebrated gem in American cinema, Spielberg's linking of it with ‘Duel' also casts the spotlight on the latter, urging us not to overlook this equally thrilling yet underrated classic.
Revisit Spielberg's Exploration Of Terror
For those intrigued by Spielberg's narrative connection between ‘Jaws' and ‘Duel', both films are available for viewing on Prime Video. It's an invitation for all movie lovers to experience Spielberg's masterly twist of terror, viewed through the lenses of two seemingly different yet intriguingly similar stories.
