Amity Island: Shark Central (Jaws)
Listed under Film Locations in Falmouth, United States.
Jaws (Dir: Steven Spielberg, 1976).
Joseph Sylva State Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA.
For the shooting of Jaws, traditional summer holiday retreat, Martha’s Vineyard, became Amity Island, traditional summer holiday retreat and site of a dramatic series of shark attacks. Martha’s Vineyard was once a whaling community, as is evident in the films dock scenes, and despite being busy during the summer it has retained it clapboard community charms, which is why it was chosen for the film… and is probably now it’s ruin, seeing as it’s one of the most popular locations to visit, despite the gory scenes that took place at Amity Island. The attack on ‘the Kinter boy’ took place at Joseph Sylvia State Beach and Brody’s son first encounters the shark at Sengekontacket Pond.
A lot of the shark scenes in Jaws were a nightmare to shoot because they couldn’t get the mechanical shark working properly and the tension of not being able to see the shark but knowing he’s there is more due to the footage they had than physiological intention. More for trivia lovers: one of the scariest scenes in the film, when Hooper finds the fisherman’s head on the boat was actually a pick up shot on the editor’s pool.
Written by 
Film Fan.
Other expert and press reviews
“36 Hours on Martha’s Vineyard”
By Danielle Pergament First Published 26th July, 2009 Tne Democrats are back in power, which means Martha’s Vineyard is on the political radar again. The Kennedys have been coming since there were actual vineyards, Chelsea Clinton is reportedly t… Read more...
Written by press. Continue reading on nytimes.com
Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers
Not so fun
On the fourth of July, my family and I decided to visit the beach of Amity Island. We didn't know that at the time a great white shark was in the waters approaching the shore to snack on us tourists. Luckily, my family and I managed to get out in time but I heard another child was fatally attacked by this shark. The chief of police knew about it and didn't do anything to stop the beaches from opening. It would have been a great holiday but was ruined by the lack or organization and... well... the shark.
1 Reply
That's pretty scary. I imagine they got him in the end though? Or not? Surely someone would have offered a bounty to catch him and kill him?
anonymous
- posted 19th April 2011
Who's been here
Similar Experiences
Goldeneye: Verzasca Dam
GoldenEye (Dir: Martin Campbell, 1995) In the opening scene of Goldeneye James Bond (Pierce Brosnan in this case) breaks into …
Harry Lime's Ferris Wheel (The Third Man)
The Third Man (Dir: Carol Reed, 1949). Prater Amusement Park, Prater, Vienna, Austria . This was one of the first film location…
The Great Hall of Hogwarts
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Dir: Chris Columbus, 2001). The Great Hall of Christ Church College, Oxford Univer…
Related links
- Falmouth travel guide
- Massachusetts travel guide
- New England travel guide
- United States travel guide
- United States travel specialists
- The best Film Locations
I imagine they needed a bigger boat?
1 Reply
I expect you frequently need one there...