Bruce the Shark tears up the Orca.
The Shark (aka 'Bruce') depicted as the main antagonist in the Jaws film franchise, was the collective name for a reoccuring group of mutated Great White Sharks thought to be closely related genetically.
History
Based on eye witness accounts during the infamous first 'Amity Incident', a tremendous great white shark was purportedly deemed responsible for an onslaught of attacks during the summer of 1974.
This particular incantation of the shark was depicted in the film Jaws released in 1975. In addition, there were slightly similar looking designed sharks depicted in follow up sequels (J2, J3D, and JTR respectively). However, the shark design as depicted in Jaws, is by far the most respected variant among aficionados of the film franchise.
Interestingly, it has never been agreed upon as to the official name the shark should be called. Casual fans of the film franchise in general tend to call the shark 'JAWS', which is actually something of a misnomer considering there were different sizes and shapes of sharks featured in each of the four films in the franchise.
Because the shark was originally called 'Bruce' by film crew members in reference to Steven Spielbergs lawyer, Bruce Raynor, knowledgable fin fans tend to prefer using this as an official moniker.
Appearance
Because the great white shark depicted in Jaws did not appear to look like a standard atypical bull shark, it has been suggested that this shark was in fact a mutated beast rather than a genetically perfect bull shark specimen. This would also account for its maniacal personality and traits depicted in the film in so far as outward rogue behavior.
In Jaws, Bruce was destroyed by a compressed air tank during a sea battle led by APD chief Brody, Oceanographer Hooper, and Sea captain Quint. In reality, no evidence of the shark's remains have ever been found and this particular shark has yet to be seen again. A hollow, static copy of 'Bruce' from the film was discovered in a junkyard years later, and is in essence a fourth 'Bruce' pulled from molds for the mechanical shark used in the production of the film. Serious fans of the film have christened this rare find, 'Junkyard Bruce', or JYB.
Occult theory
Proponents believe this shark as well as the other sharks depicted in the sequels possessed supernatural powers and could not have been destroyed, in much the same way Jason in the 'Friday the 13th' film series could not. There are also rumors that pagan worshipers who believe there is a direct relation to the occult.
The first Amity Incident attacks
The shark as seen in the film JAWS, attacked and/or killed nine (and several more during the actual the Amity Incident) which are as follows:
- Christine Watkins
- Alexander Kintner
- An estuary victim (name unknown)
- Ben Gardner
- Ben Gardner's first mate (name unknown)
- A dog (Pippet)
- M. Quint
- Hooper: * Attacked while in a cage, but managed to flee from the escape hatch on top of the cage frantically swimming to the reef below.
- Brody: Attacked until he was finally able to toss an air tank into Jaws's mouth resulting in a devastating explosion.
Shark Production
