06-10-2015, 06:26 PM
Part of why Jaws works so well is the sheer size of the film shark. During the movie, it is described as 25 feet long and weighing 3 tons. Camera tricks are employed to reinforce the enormity of the predator bent on destruction.
In the movie, Jaws is classified as a great white shark. However, Spielberg has stated that the shark was actually based on the megalodon, a much larger prehistoric shark. Researchers believe that the megalodon employed a much more aggressive hunting strategy than the great white, which is more opportunistic in its attacks.