Inside the making of a classic: JAWS @ 50 documentary coming from Nat Geo

Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, Jaws @ 50 is the latest documentary from National Geographic, aimed at celebrating Steven Spielberg’s classic monster horror-thriller film, which enters its 50th year since its initial release.

The film hit theaters on June 20, 1975, and made box office history by earning a whopping $476 million against a budget of $9 million. That is why it is often considered the first Hollywood blockbuster and one of the foundational films in American cinema. However, no one could have guessed it would go on to make history—not even Spielberg himself.

The documentary features the filmmaker speaking about the making of the movie. It also includes archival footage of the original 1975 film, along with testimonies from iconic directors like Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, and Jordan Peele, who were inspired by it.

Its official synopsis reads,

"JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY is the authorized documentary celebrating the film that redefined Hollywood, 50 years after its premiere. Alongside Steven Spielberg, the documentary charts the extraordinary journey from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to one of the most iconic films ever made. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with acclaimed Hollywood directors, top shark scientists, and conservationists, the documentary uncovers the behind-the-scenes chaos and how the film launched the summer blockbuster, inspired a new wave of filmmakers, and paved the way for shark conservation that continues today."

Jaws @ 50 celebrates the lasting legacy of the Speilberg classic that inspired generations of filmmakers

In 1974, Steven Spielberg began filming Jaws, based on a screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. At the time, he was not yet the Oscar-winning director of Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan as we know him now.

He had worked primarily in television and had gained recognition for his 1971 psychological thriller Duel. So, Jawsproved to be his big breakthrough—a project that essentially set up the Hollywood business model.

Spielberg’s monster horror flick became the highest-grossing film of all time at the time, but the process of making it was far from easy. He faced many practical challenges and was terrified the studio would shut down the production. At one point, he even considered quitting. However, it eventually became the seminal film most often associated with his name.

Judging from its trailer, this National Geographic documentary represents for Spielberg what Hearts of Darkness (1991) represented for Apocalypse Now director Francis Ford Coppola.

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story is scheduled to premiere on National Geographic on July 10, a day ahead of its streaming debut.