Just When You Thought It Was Safe: A JAWS Companion

by Patrick A. Jankiewicz

Did you used to hate the water, but can't imagine why? Do you feel a constant need for a bigger boat? Do you want the Mayor to close the beaches? If the answer is 'Yes' to these questions, you are a JAWS fanatic and JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE is the ultimate JAWS companion! Everything you need to know about the scariest movie ever made is in this book. Learn the terrifying true story that inspired JAWS! Hear how such classic lines as "Smile, You sonnuva--" and "We need a bigger boat!" were created. Finally, a book about the entire JAWS series! Meet all the first shark's victims, discover behind-the-scenes facts and gossip on JAWS! Encounter those responsible for JAWS 2, JAWS 3-D and JAWS: THE REVENGE! Find out about the aborted JAWS sequel, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S JAWS 3 PEOPLE 0 and which JAWS sequel was supposed to start with the shark eating Chief Brody!" Journalist PAT JANKIEWICZ, writer for FANGORIA and STARLOG takes an incisive look at the amazing story of the entire JAWS franchise!

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Media Tie In, History

236 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2009

Reviews

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was never going to be a chance I could rate this immensely enjoyable book any less than four stars. It provides many an interesting and revealing picture into what went on behind, beyond, before and after the scenes of my favourite movie of all time.

I am one of those who cannot count the amount of times they have watched their favourite films, and Jaws, along with perhaps Jurassic Park, The Exorcist and a few others, would easily be at the top of that list for me. As a result of my love for Spielberg classic, there were many things I did already know about - indeed, I was able to realise the very source from which the writer got his information. But there was also a good portion of things I had never known before.

I also want to give credit to the writer for delving into the notorious sequels. I happen to genuinely love the second movie as well, whatever its flaws and its clear inferiority to the original. On the other hand, I don't think I have ever managed to sit all the way through either Jaws 3D or Jaws: The Revenge. But it was somehow very interesting learning about how those abominations were put together.

In short, this book is a rare treat for any fan of the Jaws franchise. Hell, it even made me smile that the reader for the audiobook I listened to did a more than serviceable job reproducing many of the film's famous quotes from Brody, Hooper, Quint et al.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting (sort of) facts about the making of the films I didn't know, and some good interviews, but lots of repetition, and the writing style is very Harry Knowles i.e. complete shit/bit like a five-year-old wrote it. There are 537 exclamation marks in this book, which is 236 pages long and lots of that is pictures.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my fifth book for the 2020 Reading Rush readathon. 236 pages. This met the “Genre You Want to Read More of Challenge—Movie Nonfiction.”

I am a huge Jaws and shark fan so I knew I had to read this. I was ecstatic when I realized it covered the book, original movie, sequels, and more! This book felt like it had been made specifically for fans like me. It was especially hard to put down once I was 30% in, though it kept my attention easily from the beginning.

There was so much trivia in here that I didn’t know, especially in regards to the sequels, which aren’t mentioned as much in fan groups or other books. As for the original film, there was plenty of information that I hadn’t been aware of before.

There are interviews from people who worked on all of the movies, as well as info on some of the rip-off movies and Jawsfest (which I didn’t even realize was a thing). The interviews with the actors/actresses and production/art designers were probably my favorite feature in this book.

I kept bringing up facts to my husband while reading this because I was so excited about all of the new things I was learning. Definitely need to read more nonfiction on my favorite movies. This is a book that I can see myself re-reading several times in the future, or maybe just using for reference. I feel like I need to re-read it again soon just to jot down some of my favorite tidbits.

It was also nice to learn more about people who aren’t acknowledged as much as the directors, actors/actresses, and writers who helped make the movies the successes they were. It’s amazing how much work goes into films, especially films that made history such as Jaws. Knowing all of these facts make the movies even more special to me.

[Libby Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming look into what is pretty inarguably one of THE films of a generation/country/genre, etc.

Insane to realise that Spielberg was 27 and directing Jaws. One of the other stories I loved was how communal the filming was.

My favourite Jaws movie is still not a Jaws movie at all but Piranha. The descriptions of the ‘trashy’ Jaws sequels certainly piqued my interest.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough one, a kind of Angel/Devil thing. The Angel on my shoulder says this is a loving tribute to a film and series I hold near and dear to my heart. The Devil says this was a lazy, disorganized con job. The Devil says the section on Jaws offers no insight I haven't scene in countless documentaries and interviews made in the last 43 years. The Angel says it's not right to hold this book up to the standard of Space Odyssey and Caddyshack, which covered movies I knew less about and are on a whole other level. The Devil in me says the author covered Jaws 2-4 just to pad this book out since he just dumps on them. Angel says Jaws 4 is awful so I'll let that slide. The Angel in me thinks his interviews shed new light on even the original Jaws, if only slightly. The Angel also says the aborted Jaws 2 and fired director get their due instead of being swept under the rug in official records. So on balance, there was more good than bad here. I guess the paradox is if you love Jaws, you know all about this but if you didn't know all about this, then how could you love Jaws and then why read this? I can't in good conscience truly slam a book I read in two days. There is enough new stuff for hardcore fans. But only by the skin of its teeth. Pun intended.

[Javi Ocaña · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro como JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE: A JAWS COMPANION de Patrick A. Jankiewicz se saborea como pocos en el 50º aniversario de TIBURÓN, el clásico totémico que llevó a Spielberg al estrellato y creó lo que se conoce mundialmente como blockbuster. Solo el relato de los miembros del equipo sobre las vicisitudes de su rodaje hace que esta lectura merezca la pena, pero el autor ahonda, además, en temas como las secuelas, el merchandising, los guiones descartados, las copias descaradas provenientes de Italia (dios bendiga a Castellari)...

Está complementado con entrevistas extensas y fotografías en blanco y negro. Es cierto que, siendo el libro de 2009, no hay un análisis exhaustivo de los filmes de The Asylum que capitalizaron en el clásico de Spielberg y que no existirían si no fuera por el éxito de TIBURÓN, logrado por un tratamiento brillante del suspense y una maestría en la puesta en escena digna de reconocimiento. Lo digo siempre, todo el mundo tendría que ver TIBURÓN al menos una vez en la vida.

En fin, si vuestra intención es no bajaros del Orca nunca más, este libro os hará echar un buen rato a la par que aprenderéis los motivos detrás de lo extraordinario que tiene esta película.

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaws screenwriter Carl Gottlieb wrote the quintessential book on the making of the classic film with his 1976 release The Jaws Log . For over thirty years this has remained the final word on the inside story of the making of a Hollywood blockbuster. Patrick Jankiewicz steps up to the plate with a similar tome called Just When You Though It Was Safe: A Jaws Companion as a counterpart to Gottlieb’s much loved production diary.

You can read ZigZag's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend of mine share the fact that "Jaws" is our favorite movie of all time. He said he'd read this book so I figured I would take a break from my usual reading fare and have a little fun with this. Lot's of interesting and mostly unknown facts about the making of the movie, its release, the actors and others involved, etc. A lot of it I had known before but there were some bits which were new. The one thing I didn't care much for is that the author also covered things to know about all the sequels after talking about the original movie. Not very interesting. He finishes the book with a "Where are they now" section about the actors and others which was cool. He also talked about the 30-year anniversary "SharkFest" event they did at Martha's Vineyard and that sounded really cool. Now I want to someday make it out that way and see where the movie was filmed.

[Paul Dinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Jaws fan, I read the book even before it was a movie, I loved this book. What I really liked about it was how Jankiewicz dug up the many people who worked on the films and what they did after. Jaws was like any Hollywood blockbuster that spawned sequels, the first one was great and the quality declined until it became a joke worse than anything Michal J Fox said in Back to the Future II, "The shark still looks fake." Jankiewicz, and truth be told I did know him in college, does a great job with this subject matter. Even if you found the sequels to be so bad, you wouldn't be caught dead watching them, he still makes this survey of the original and all of its sequels and rip offs very interesting. I recommend this book.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version. This was a fun and fond look back at the film Jaws and it’s sequels. The author was clearly a fan and did a great amount of research. The inside tips and stories from cast and crew make this stand out. It really gives you a sense of being on Amity with the cast and crew. It is fun to listen to this while watching Sharkfest on National Geographic and Shark Week on Discovery. Jaws is the film that started the major interest in sharks. The original is a classic. Very informative and entertaining.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have finished this yesterday but Goodreads was down, and how could I finish something without immediately logging it?

All joking aside, though, this starts off as almost a speed run covering the original film before exploring the increasingly misbegotten sequels that followed in its wake, and the overall phenomenon the film's become. I'm a sucker for all thing "Jaws," so take my 4 stars with the requisite grain of salt, but this thing flew by for me. Loved it.

[Bob McCormick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ever wondered what the extras thought when they were filming jobs? If so, this book is for you.

The best reason to read this one is when he name checks the original book but he literally claims it is a more complete story about the making of jaws. A lot of recaps of movies you’ve already seen and very little new information.

Avoid.

[Marty Solotki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This history of the Jaws franchise is entertaining and informative, full of interesting dirt on what went on behind the scenes. Segaloff does a great job for Audible, to ensure the subject mattered is delivered in an entertaining way.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2022) For the avid JAWS fan, this is a behind the scenes look from the Martha’s Vineyard locals, many of them appearing as extras or bit parts (including the author) in the movie.

[Mark Schiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a bowl of warm soup. Super comforting and enjoyable.

[JoAnne Cattanach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun audible book. Love this movie!

[David Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the "Jaws" phenomenon, plus a thousand things you don't care about. There's a lot of useful information here, but to find it you have to wade through redundancies, long interviews with bit players and prose along the lines of "For a movie called JAWS, it's ironic that the mechanical shark's biggest problem was its jaws!" Still, if you're a hardcore fan, you'll want it.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

i saw a Q&A with the author and immediately bought the book. an interesting and well-researched companion for any jaws fan.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for any Jaws fan!

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew every bit of trivia there was to know about the making of my second-favorite movie ever, but this book taught me a thing or two!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about Jaws ever. As a huge Jaws nerd this was an easy one for me. Its short and sweet and filled with tidbits. Perfection for fans.