5. The Kitner Attack Was Originally More Graphic
Its a well-known fact that the repeated malfunctions of the "Great White Turd" led to Jaws becoming frightening for what we don't see - helped considerably by John Williams' iconic score. Many early sequences of the film were storyboarded and scripted to feature the shark in all its glory, but Bruce refused to play along. However, thats not to say that more graphic versions of sequences were undoubtedly attempted with the shark, even if they didnt eventually work, or were simply too frightening for the films desired PG certificate. Take the scene in which pruning Alex Kitner is attacked by the shark as Chief Brody watches helplessly. In the finished film, we do see a few mere glimpses of the creature, but its the vigorous splashes of water and the grotesque fountain of blood which make the scene impactful. Nonetheless, rare photos and home videos (featured in documentary The Shark Is Still Working) do show that a version of the scene in which Bruce appeared prominently was at least attempted by the filmmakers. Whether the mechanical shark refused to play along, or if it was simply too disturbing for a PG certificate, remains to be seen.