

To mark his 60th birthday, we celebrate the genius of Steven Spielberg by counting down (in no particular order) the greatest moments, amazing stories and monumental impact of the world's greatest film director...
WORDS: Ian Freer and Ross Bennett
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That He Stuck With The Shark

"The shark is not working. Repeat, the shark is not working". As this most frustrating of phrases perennially circulated Martha's Vineyard, Spielberg must have wondered if he would ever finish Jaws. Three sharks were built for the shoot - collectively named Bruce after the director's lawyer. Each cost $200,000 to build. Money well spent?...Bruce's first ocean tests answered that question without hesitation. Due to the salt-water corrosion, its skin had to be constantly re-applied whilst, as Brian De Palma fondly recalls, "Bruce's eyes crossed and his jaw wouldn't shut properly". Yet Spielberg's persistence with the beast paid off, as that rubbery, dysfunctional piece of machinery went on to scare the pants off audiences everywhere. A CGI Jaws? I just wouldn't have been the same...
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