Beer Choices Of The 'Jaws' Characters

In the 1975 film 'Jaws', the character Captain Sam Quint, played by Robert Shaw, crushes a can of Narragansett lager in an attempt to intimidate Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss. This iconic scene has been recreated by Narragansett Beer, which has released several commemorative cans featuring the same design and logo as the original 1975 can. The beer is said to be a straightforward, quality beer that has been a New England tradition for generations.

Characters drink beer from a can, plastic cup, and keg

In the 1975 film Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, there are several instances of characters drinking beer from cans, plastic cups, and kegs. The film is known for its naturalistic drinking scenes, which are woven into the fabric of the film rather than taking place in a bar or featuring artful shots of cocktails.

In one early scene, a group of college students are seen drinking beer from a keg at a beachside bonfire. They use Falstaff Beer-branded plastic cups, a St. Louis-based beer that went out of production in 2005. This scene sets the tone for the working-class hero approach to drinking that is seen throughout the film.

Later in the film, the character of Captain Sam Quint, played by Robert Shaw, drinks a can of Narragansett lager and then crushes the can to intimidate Richard Dreyfuss's character, Matt Hooper. This scene has become iconic and has been referenced in marketing campaigns for Narragansett Beer. The brand has even released commemorative cans featuring the same design and logo from the film.

In another scene, the characters of Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) and Ellen (Lorraine Gary) are seen drinking what appears to be whiskey from tumblers in their home. When Matt Hooper joins them, they switch to wine, with Brody filling his water glass to the brim.

Overall, the drinking scenes in Jaws reflect the utilitarian approach to drinking that was common in mid-70s island life, with characters drinking from whatever was available, whether it was beer from a can or keg, wine from a bottle, or liquor from a tumbler.

Narragansett Beer is drunk and crushed by Captain Quint

In the 1975 film Jaws, Captain Quint, played by Robert Shaw, crushes a can of Narragansett lager in an attempt to intimidate Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss. This iconic scene has become ingrained in American culture and has even been used in Narragansett Beer's marketing campaigns.

The choice of Narragansett Beer in the film was not a coincidence. Director Steven Spielberg wanted the film to feel authentic, so he asked local fishermen on the docks at Martha's Vineyard what they were drinking. They told him it was Narragansett, and the rest is history. At the time, Narragansett was the most popular beer in New England, so it's no surprise that it ended up in the hands of fishermen in the film.

The crushing of the can is symbolic of the ongoing struggle between the working person and the elitist, representing book smarts vs hands-on knowledge. It also represents an outcast showing society their worth. The feat of strength was even more impressive at the time, as cans were made with much more metal than they are today.

The beer also played a role in the original Jaws novel by Peter Benchley. In the book, Quint shoots beer cans on the deck of the Orca using a makeshift skeet launcher, taunting Hooper for not joining in. However, this scene may have been changed to the can crush in the film to save time.

The inclusion of Narragansett Beer in Jaws has had a lasting impact on the brand. In the years following the film's release, the fortunes of the Narragansett Brewing Company took a turn for the worse, and the brewery in Rhode Island eventually closed down. However, the brand was later purchased by New England resident Mark Hellendrung, who relaunched the beer in 2005. The company has since played on its association with Jaws, releasing commemorative cans featuring the same design and logo from the film. The campaign has been extremely successful, with Narragansett Beer becoming one of America's top 50 regional brewers and the fastest-growing in the Northeast.

Other alcoholic drinks include wine, apricot brandy, and moonshine

The drinking scenes in Steven Spielberg's 1975 film "Jaws" are woven into the fabric of the film, with a working-class hero approach to everyday drinking. The alcoholic drinks featured in the movie include domestic beer, wine, apricot brandy, and moonshine.

The first appearance of alcohol in the film is during a twilight beachside bonfire scene, where a group of college students are drinking beer from a keg in Falstaff Beer-branded plastic cups. Falstaff was a St. Louis-based beer that went out of production in 2005. Later in the film, the character of Captain Sam Quint, played by Robert Shaw, crushes a can of Narragansett lager to intimidate Richard Dreyfuss's character, Matt Hooper. This scene has become iconic and Narragansett Beer has since released commemorative cans featuring the same design and logo from the film.

In addition to beer, the characters in "Jaws" are also shown drinking wine. During a dinner scene, Matt Hooper brings a bottle of red and white wine, and the main character, Martin Brody, fills his glass to the brim with red wine. In another scene, Brody is shown drinking directly from a bottle of white wine while out at sea.

Other alcoholic drinks featured in the film include apricot brandy and moonshine. Before agreeing to help hunt the shark, Quint adds a case of apricot brandy to his contract, and Brody counters with "two cases and you get dinner when you get back." In a later scene, the three main characters, Brody, Hooper, and Quint, drink Quint's moonshine from plastic coffee mugs and share stories about their scars.

The inclusion of these alcoholic drinks adds to the blue-collar, utilitarian atmosphere of the film, reflecting the mid-70s island life depicted in "Jaws".

The film's drinking scenes are woven into the fabric of the film

The film Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, is renowned not only for its gripping plot but also for its drinking scenes, which are subtly woven into the fabric of the movie. The drinking scenes in Jaws are notable for their naturalistic and utilitarian portrayal, reflecting the mid-70s island lifestyle of its characters.

The movie opens with a beachside bonfire, where a group of college students are drinking beer from a keg into plastic cups. This is the first of many drinking scenes that are seamlessly integrated into the film, reflecting the everyday drinking culture of the time. The absence of bar scenes or artful cocktail shots sets Jaws apart from other films known for their inclusion of alcohol. Instead, the drinking moments in Jaws feel organic and true to the characters' surroundings and lifestyles.

As the movie progresses, we see the characters drinking a range of alcoholic beverages, including domestic beer, wine, apricot brandy, and moonshine. These drinks are consumed from cans, disposable cups, and even directly from the bottle, reflecting a working-class approach to drinking. For instance, in one scene, the character of Brody is seen drinking white wine straight from the bottle while out at sea.

One of the most iconic drinking scenes in Jaws involves the character of Captain Quint, played by Robert Shaw, crushing a can of Narragansett lager to intimidate Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss. This scene has become so famous that the Narragansett Brewing Company has released retro cans commemorating the film's anniversary.

The drinking scenes in Jaws serve multiple purposes. Initially, they provide a sense of escape and pleasure for the characters. However, as the movie progresses and the hunt for the shark becomes more intense, the drinking takes on a different tone. The characters drink for fortitude and courage as they face their fears and the dangers lurking in the water.

Overall, the drinking scenes in Jaws are an integral part of the film's narrative and character development. They provide insight into the characters' lives, relationships, and the era in which the story is set. The naturalistic portrayal of drinking adds to the authenticity of the film and helps immerse the audience in the world of Amity Island.

The beer choice was made to make the film feel authentic

The choice of Narragansett Beer in the film Jaws was made to make the film feel authentic. Director Steven Spielberg wanted the film to feel real, so he and his team asked local fishermen on the docks at Martha's Vineyard what they were drinking. They were drinking Narragansett, so the filmmakers decided to feature it in the film. The beer was also chosen because it was the most popular beer in New England at the time.

The beer is featured in a scene where Captain Quint, played by Robert Shaw, intimidates Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss, by crushing a can of Narragansett lager. The scene has become iconic and is often remembered by fans of the film. The crushing of the can is seen as symbolic, representing the ongoing struggle between the working person and the elitist.

The choice of Narragansett Beer also had a lasting impact on the brand. While the film became a huge success, the fortunes of the Narragansett Brewing Company started to decline. The company was sold, and major changes were made to its marketing, community partnerships, and structure, which negatively impacted sales. The brewery in Rhode Island that employed about 1,000 workers was closed down, and production was moved to Indiana.

However, the association with Jaws remained a part of the Narragansett brand. In 2005, the company was purchased by New England resident Mark Hellendrung, and the beer was re-released in the original 1975 can design to coincide with Discovery Channel's Shark Week and the anniversary of the film's release. The campaign has been a success, returning every year for Shark Week and even teaming up with the Shark Research & Conservation Program at the University of Miami to support shark conservation efforts.

The choice of Narragansett Beer in Jaws not only added to the authenticity of the film but also created a lasting connection between the beer and the movie that has endured for decades.

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