Jaws: The Revenge (1987)

The fourth entry in the Jaws franchise, Jaws: The Revenge is infamous for being both campy and ambitious in its attempt to give the shark saga a personal vendetta twist. Directed by Joseph Sargent, this film shifts the story away from Amity Island to the sunny Bahamas while attempting to give closure to the Brody family storyline.

Detailed Summary

The Death of Sean Brody

The movie begins on Amity Island, where police deputy Sean Brody, the youngest son of Martin Brody (the original sheriff from the first Jaws), is called to clear a log from a buoy. In a shocking opening attack, a massive great white shark ambushes him, tearing him apart in the freezing waters as Christmas carolers sing in the distance. His death sets the emotional and narrative core of the film.

Ellen Brody’s Fear and Premonitions

Ellen Brody (played by Lorraine Gary), now widowed, is devastated by Sean’s death. She becomes convinced that the shark deliberately targeted him and that it has a vendetta against her entire family. This idea drives the central “revenge” theme. Ellen’s grief pushes her to leave Amity behind and visit her surviving son Michael in the Bahamas.

Michael in the Bahamas

Michael Brody (Lance Guest) lives with his wife Carla (Karen Young) and their daughter Thea. He works as a marine biologist studying sea snails with his colleague Jake (Mario Van Peebles). While Ellen hopes the ocean will give her peace, she becomes paranoid that the shark will follow them—even to the warm, shark-free waters of the Bahamas.

The Shark Attacks Again

In one of the movie’s most eyebrow-raising narrative choices, the same—or perhaps another—great white shark does indeed appear in the Bahamas. It stalks Michael and his family, attacking boats and nearly killing Jake during one of their dives. Ellen becomes convinced that the shark is supernaturally hunting the Brodys specifically.

Hoagie and the Romance Subplot

While grappling with her fears, Ellen begins a romantic relationship with Hoagie, a laid-back pilot played by Michael Caine. Their chemistry is lighthearted, giving the film a touch of levity amidst the absurdity of a “revenge-driven shark.”

Movie Ending

The climax takes place when Michael, Jake, and Hoagie lure the shark into open waters. During the struggle, Jake plants a tracking device in the shark, but in the process, he is attacked and (depending on which version you see) either gravely wounded or killed. Determined to protect her family once and for all, Ellen takes control of the boat.

In a bizarre but unforgettable sequence, she steers it directly toward the shark as it leaps from the water. In the theatrical U.S. release, the shark is impaled on the boat’s broken bowsprit and explodes dramatically—yes, it literally explodes for no explained reason. The international version, however, shows the shark simply impaled and dying without the fiery finish.

The ending closes with Ellen and her family flying away from the Bahamas with Hoagie, leaving the shark saga seemingly behind.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Jaws: The Revenge does not feature any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with the shark’s destruction, and the credits roll without extra material.

Type of Movie

Jaws: The Revenge is a thriller/horror film with strong adventure elements. However, due to its over-the-top story and questionable special effects, it is often considered more of a campy cult film than a serious horror entry.

Cast

• Lorraine Gary as Ellen Brody
• Lance Guest as Michael Brody
• Mario Van Peebles as Jake
• Karen Young as Carla Brody
• Judith Barsi as Thea Brody
• Michael Caine as Hoagie Newcombe

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Michael Small, who borrowed elements of John Williams’ iconic Jaws theme while adding new material to reflect the Bahamas setting. The steel drum sounds and tropical undertones create a tonal contrast with the darker shark sequences.

Filming Locations

The film was primarily shot in New England (for the Amity Island sequences) and the Bahamas (for the bulk of the story). The Bahamas setting was chosen both for visual appeal and to differentiate this installment from the previous three. The bright tropical waters, however, made it difficult to create tension compared to the murkier seas of Amity.

Awards and Nominations

The movie was a critical and commercial disappointment. It was nominated for several Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies), including:

• Worst Actress (Lorraine Gary)
• Worst Supporting Actor (Michael Caine)
• Worst Director (Joseph Sargent)
• Worst Visual Effects
  It has since been remembered more as a cult curiosity than an award-winner.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Michael Caine infamously said about his role: “I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.”
• The alternate endings were created due to poor test audience reactions.
• Filming in the Bahamas caused continuity headaches, as great white sharks don’t naturally live in those waters.
• Lorraine Gary came out of retirement specifically for this role.

Inspirations and References

The film is loosely inspired by the continuing popularity of the Jaws franchise but does not come from a novel or true story. The revenge-driven plotline was a creative invention intended to escalate the stakes beyond simple survival.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are two main endings:

• U.S. Theatrical Ending: The shark explodes when impaled.
• International Ending: The shark is only impaled, and no explosion occurs.
  A deleted scene suggested more focus on Ellen’s psychic connection with the shark, but this was cut for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization of Jaws: The Revenge was released alongside the film. It included more background on Ellen’s supposed telepathic connection with the shark, which explained her visions and fears in more detail. The film only hints at this supernatural connection without fully embracing it.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Sean’s shocking death in the opening sequence.
• The shark attacking Jake and Michael during their dive.
• Ellen piloting the boat directly at the shark in the finale.

Iconic Quotes

• Hoagie (Michael Caine): “Some things in life are hard to explain. This is one of them.”
• Ellen Brody: “This shark is after my family.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The opening includes nods to the first Jaws, with Amity looking eerily similar.
• Michael Caine’s character is named “Hoagie,” a subtle wink at food-related humor in a shark movie.
• The shark’s roar sound effect during the finale is often cited as a hidden joke, though it was likely unintentional.

Trivia

• Michael Caine missed collecting his Academy Award for Hannah and Her Sisters because he was filming Jaws: The Revenge.
• The mechanical shark often malfunctioned, leading to long production delays.
• The budget was around $23 million, but the movie grossed less than $52 million worldwide, considered a flop compared to its predecessors.

Why Watch?

If you’re looking for serious shark horror, this isn’t it. But if you enjoy campy B-movies, questionable special effects, and unintentionally hilarious storytelling, Jaws: The Revenge is pure guilty pleasure. It’s also worth watching just to see Michael Caine deliver lines with total charm while standing next to a fake shark.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
• White Lightning (1973)
• Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Deep Blue Sea (1999)
• Piranha (1978)
• Lake Placid (1999)
• Orca (1977)
• The Meg (2018)