Ingmar Bergman's "Jaws"

In 1975, a film was released that changed the game forever. The young director behind the camera would become a legend and one of the most successful filmmakers of all time. And the world noticed. Other directors noticed. One of them was a Swedish filmmaker who was already a legend in the world of cinema.

Ingmar Bergman was invited to see the actual shark from the film and this photo by John Bryson was captured as he studied one of the three sharks used in the film (did you know that it was a trio?). It was named "Bruce" after Steven Spielberg's lawyer, Bruce Ramer (all three?) and Bergman seems quite amused at making its acquaintance.

And this got me thinking about coincidence and chance.

What if Bergman had been the one to make "Jaws"?

Now, I'm sure there are many of you who have never seen a Bergman film, and may find this attempt at humour confusing. I would suggest watching as many of the black-and-white features he made in the fifties and sixties to understand the context of my piece. I will cover only key scenes from the film and I hope you do recognize how a director can put their fingerprints all over the story on screen.

-K.D.

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Opening scene: Summer; beach early in the morning. We see a boy on the shore. He is drunk. Woman, nude, standing in the water.

Boy: It seems to me that I cannot join you in that expanse of heaven's tears. It befits me to work off my drink while I stare at the stars and contemplate the meaning of existence (falls asleep).

Girl: I always share my affections and body with the men who are most unavailable. I need to find myself an existence and a lover who will understand me.

We see the fin of a shark behind the woman. It rears up out of the water and speaks.

The Shark: I will relieve you of the anxiety of your existence (eats the girl).

Cut to black.

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Town council room: Crowd sits in perfect silence. At one table sits the mayor, the chief of police, and city councilors. Cut to people who are sitting and looking at the town's leaders. A woman raises her hand to speak.

Woman: (standing slowly) We need to know what will be the action done to control our lives.

Cut to the chief of police.

Brody: We have decided that the water is full of danger and lies. It will be closed to you until we can find a way to end this incredibly emotional beast.

Mayor: Only a day will be all we require to rectify this unfortunateness.

Cut to the crowd. They are all covering their faces. Close up of the first woman. We can see tears flowing down through her fingers.

Sound: nails on a chalkboard; POV of the council room. All hands are moved from the faces and we see a sailor seated with a chalkboard behind him. The work 'Shark' is written in Swedish on it ('Haj'). He wipes it off with his hands.

Quint: For such an incredibly difficult decision between poverty and death, we must choose the death of the beast. My knowledge of the water and all its environs will make me the best for the duty of ending the life of the shark. It will eat and control all our lives if you do not choose me for this task. Simply make me happy with lucre and the covenant will be done. I thank you (he leaves).

The crowd remains silent.

Cut to grey.

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Ocean setting: Late afternoon. One wide shot. Hooper is at the wheel; Quint and Brody are on deck. The Shark is circling the boat, Orca, which is leaning dangerously into the water.

Quint: Now comes the moment when we must make the decision on how the beast is to be quelled. I propose barrels that can drag the great fish to the surface.

Hooper: I believe that my scientific equipment is based on achievements that cannot be ignored. I must use the cage and tank and appear as close to the shark as I can and hope that there is some luck on my side in this wager.

Quint: I have let fear control my temperament. I must let you gentlemen decide on what comes next.

The Shark: (rearing out of the water) You have wasted enough time in such fatuous dialogue and procrastination. I need to feed.

The Shark lands on the stern, waiting for its meal. Quint enters the mouth voluntarily. Hooper walks down, enters the cabin, emerging in a quick cut in the wet suit with the equipment necessary to kill the beast. Brody leans down to have a conversation with Quint.

Brody: Old friend, your story of the attack and your bravery in this moment will not be forgotten. It is a sacrifice any of us would make.

Quint: I thank you. Please take care of yourselves and try to forgive the great beast. It is simply a creature of its time and place, much like me.

Quint crawls inside. The Shark returns to the water. The camera focuses on a close up of Brody as he stares off at the water. A single tear rolls down his face. We hear the death throes of a shark off-camera and hear splashing coming closer to the boat.

Cut to shot of the water.

Hooper: There was no need for me to enter its realm. The beast has taken its own life.

Cut to boat.

Brody: Our day is done. We must return home and allow the islanders to enjoy what remains of the season.

Final long shot of the Orca returning to the harbour . The men remain standing on the deck. They do not move.

The End

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Thank you for reading!

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