When the shark thriller Great White swam into theaters, Universal Pictures made waves by taking the filmmakers to court, alleging that the movie was a shameless ripoff of their 1975 blockbuster Jaws. The case unfolded with claims of theft, imitation, and undeniable similarities. But was it really outright plagiarism? Let’s dive into the details of the lawsuit and the two films’ uncanny parallels.
A Fin-tastic Start: The Opening Scene
Universal’s case against Great White began with an opening salvo that claimed both films featured nearly identical opening scenes. In Jaws, a bonfire party at the beach leads to a late-night swim that ends in a brutal shark attack. The suspense builds with underwater POV shots, an escalating music cue, and an isolated victim—a formula that became iconic.
Great White follows a similar path: a windsurfer meets a grisly fate, set up with the same underwater perspectives and tension-building techniques. Though the details differ, the structure feels unmistakably familiar, setting the tone for what Universal argued was a pattern of mimicry.
The Shark’s Red Herrings
Both films utilize a classic suspense technique: the false alarm. In Jaws, a swim cap’s shadowy resemblance to a dorsal fin triggers panic. Similarly, Great White features a moment where a windsurfer’s overturned board tail mimics a shark fin. While such red herrings are common in thrillers, Universal alleged that Great White intentionally mirrored these moments to replicate Jaws’ tension.
The Political Pushback
Key to the narrative in both films are the politicians who prioritize their interests over public safety. In Jaws, Mayor Vaughn downplays the shark threat to protect the town’s economy, only changing his stance after a personal tragedy. In Great White, Governor Wells’ political campaign takes precedence over addressing the shark threat. The turning point? His son’s near-death experience, mirroring Vaughn’s arc almost exactly.
The Shark Attack Sequences
One of the most striking similarities involves the attack sequences. Universal highlighted scenes where both films featured:
- A child-related near-miss: In Jaws, Chief Brody’s son barely escapes, while an unnamed man in a dinghy is killed. In Great White, this sequence is split into two separate scenes but retains the same key beats: a child narrowly avoids danger, and an unlucky adult meets a gruesome end.
- A climactic shark battle: Jaws concludes with Brody’s desperate final stand, ending in an explosive shark demise. Great White follows suit with an eerily similar sequence, complete with the shark’s destruction through dynamite.
The Visual Imitation
Even the marketing materials bore striking similarities. Posters for Great White closely resembled those of Jaws 2, featuring a shark lunging at a water sport athlete in almost identical poses. International releases of Great White were even marketed under titles like Jaws Returns, further blurring the lines between inspiration and imitation.
The Verdict and Legacy
Universal successfully banned Great White from U.S. theaters, but the film found unexpected popularity overseas. The director, Enzo G. Castellari, admitted to borrowing elements from Jaws while adding an “Italian twist.” However, Great White’s technical struggles, including inconsistent shark proportions and overreliance on stock footage, kept it from achieving the same cinematic polish as Spielberg’s masterpiece.
Final Thoughts
While Great White undeniably took heavy inspiration from Jaws, the debate over whether it’s a ripoff or homage ultimately rests with the audience. Regardless, the controversy serves as a fascinating example of how iconic films like Jaws can inspire—and sometimes overshadow—their successors.
