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Steven Spielberg, the mastermind behind some of the most iconic films in cinematic history, has always been known for his ability to craft thrilling narratives that captivate audiences worldwide. Having a solid number of directorial credits to his name, Spielberg is often known for his greatest works in his 1975 thrillerJaws.
With the ingenious thriller turning into one of the greatest achievements of 20th-century American cinema, Steven Spielberg shared some insights into the making ofJaws. Speaking withVanity Fair, the filmmaker revealed using his 1971 television filmDuelas the basis forJawsand argued how the latter became a secret sequel to his TV movie.
Steven Spielberg Drew Comparison BetweenJawsandDuel
One ofSteven Spielberg‘s most renowned works,Jawshas long been considered a standalone classic. The thriller revolving around a bloodthirsty shark terrorizing a resort town, not only blew up Spielberg’s directorial career but also got categorized as a horror masterpiece, following itsgargantuan box office haul.
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However, while Jaws had a great influence on the horror/thriller genre and helped shape commercial trends in Hollywood, Steven Spielberg revealed that the film’s originality was based on his 1971 thriller. Speaking with Edgar Wright forEmpire, Spielberg mentioned consciously using his television filmDuelas the basis forJaws.
I was conscious of that when I put myself up for the job to direct Jaws. I told David Brown and Dick Zanuck, please watch Duel because Duel is basically Jaws on land. I really think it qualified me to direct Jaws.
Not only is it a similar sound, it’s the same sound. I asked the sound effects editor on Jaws to go into the library and find the death rattle of the truck of Duel and put it underwater with the shark, and he did.
Drawing a comparison betweenDuelandJaws, Steven Spielberg explained how the latter not only shares thematic similarities with the former but also shares sound effects from the 1971 movie. According to Spielberg,Jawsused the sound effect of the truck inDuelfor the sound of a shark descending to the bottom of the ocean.
Steven Spielberg ArguedJawsto be a Sequel to His 1971 Thriller
After informing fans about the surprising connection betweenJawsandDuel, Steven Spielberg noted how his underrated 1971 thriller shares a fascinating link with the shark-infested waters ofJaws. During his interview withVanity Fair, the filmmaker revealed that he sawJawsas a sequel toDuel, despite many finding that notion far-fetched.
According to Steven Spielberg, both films revolve around the theme of being stalked and terrorized by a monstrous force, with audiences being pushed to the edge of their seats. InDuel, it’s a menacing tanker truck that relentlessly pursues David Mann, while inJaws, it’s the great whiteshark that wreaks havocon the unsuspecting beach town.
I got through the [Jaws] book. And I immediately thought: ‘Wow, this is like a TV movie I made about a truck and a hapless driver, called Duel’. And of course, I’m young, and I’m stupid, and I’m saying, ‘Duel… gee… that has four letters, and Jaws has four letters… and they’re both about these leviathans preying on innocent people.’ And I saw such comparison between the two that I thought of Jaws as a sequel to Duel, only on water.
Steven Spielberg’s connection between the two films undoubtedly lies in their shared themes of vulnerability and the human condition. This parallel appears to be more than just a coincidence, for it seems like a deliberate nod to the director’s fascination with exploring the human psyche under pressure. Moreover, both films showcase Spielberg’s mastery of building tension and suspense. But whileJawsremains an undisputed classic,Dueldeserves more recognition.
JawsandDuelare both available on Prime Video.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3219
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
