Robert Shaw in Jaws?

Question

Now I'm not a drama student, film expert or actor but I think, just in the opininon of this interested layman, that the above actor in this role is one of the best pieces of acting (esp. the USS Indianapolis monologue) I've seen in the last 30-odd years.

Does anyone agree or have a conflicting viewpoint? Thanks!

PS, I'm only young and not claiming to be an expert so please be gentle...I'd be interested to hear from any actors or film experts as tou their opininon on this film.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Robert Shaw was one of the most critically acclaimed acotrs of his generation, and for Spielberg to pull it off of having him on only his SECOND full feature was a coup de grace.
The Indianapolis scene is stunning and you are drawn not onyl to the voice but also the hypnotic sounds from the boat and ocean.
If you get the chance try the following movies:
The Taking of Pelham 123
Battle of the Bulge - plays a German Tank Officer
A Man for all Seasons - King Henry VIII
&
From Russia With Love.
There are others and there would have been more but he died of a heart-attack in the late 70s, damn shame

Answer 2

Robert Shaw is a good actor, and the monologue you mention is a good one. But to say this performance is one of the best in the last 31 years (the film came out in 1975) is probably going a bit far. The directing is really the star of "Jaws." Obsessive roles like Shaw's are much easier to play than roles like Dreyfus'--the "everyman" of the film.

There have been some amazing performances in film since "Jaws" came out. And there have been several actors who have given more than one of these performances. Here are some of my nominations for actors who I would rate as better than Robert Shaw.

Robert Duvall--an actor's actor. He never overplays. He's very specific and detailed. He has great humanity that shines through each performance.
Daniel Day Lewis--he goes over-the-top occasionally, but he takes incredible risks as an actor, so it's exciting to watch. He travels very easily between stylistic performances like "Room with a View" and "Age of Innocence" and raw, modern work like "My Left Foot" and "In the Name of the Father."
Sean Penn--Amazing range, and getting better all the time.
Johnny Depp--Ditto on the range, amazing courage and creativity with the choice of roles, there is a fierce wit in everything he does, and a lot of heart, too.
Many other actors could be named here!

Answer 3

Birth: Aug. 9, 1927 Death: Aug. 28, 1978 Actor. Born Robert Archibald Shaw in Westhoughton, Lancashire, England, one of five children of Thomas and Doreen Shaw. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London making his stage debut at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. He made an uncredited screen debut in the Alec Guinness vehicle, The Lavender Hill Mob in 1951. His first notable film appearance was From Russia with Love in 1964. He also appeared in such films as A Man for All Seasons in 1966 for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor; The Sting in 1973; The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three in 1974; as the unforgettable Quint in 1975's Jaws; Swashbuckler in 1976; Force Ten From Navarone in 1978; and his final film, Avalanche Express in 1979. He was also well regarded as an author and playwright, his novel, The Sun Doctor, won the Hawthornden Prize in 1962; another, The Hiding Place, was filmed as Situation Hopeless - But Not Serious in 1965; his play, The Man in the Glass Booth, was made into a film in 1975. He had married three times and fathered nine children including the actor Ian Shaw. He succumbed to a sudden heart attack in Tourmakeady, Ireland at the age of 51. Shaw long told friends that he expected to die young and hoped to accomplish his goals early. (bio by: Iola) Cause of death: Heart attack Search Amazon for Robert Shaw Posthumous reunions [?]: Jaws Burial: Cremated, Ashes scattered. Specifically: Ashes scattered near his home in Ireland Record added: Jun 18 2002 By: Cinnamonntoast4

Answer 4

I agree that Robert Shaw was an outstanding character actor and his story telling in JAWS was excellent but I don't know if it is one of the best in film over the last 30+ years.
His caustic portrayal of the rogue fisherman "Quint" probably could not have been done by many other actors, but it's my understanding that he was not the first choice for that role.
Spielberg wanted him, but the studio heads did not.
Shaw passed away of a heart attack about a year or so after JAWS was filmed.
A similar case could be made for Oliver Reed in "Gladiator", who died towards the end of the movie's filming.

Answer 5

Ive watched "Jaws" several times over the years, of course, and the only part which still rivets me to the spot watching, is Shaw's "USS Indianapolis" tale. When he says, "A shark's eyes are black, lifeless, like a doll's eyes" I get chills everythime.

The man was one HECK of a talented actor.

Dana Carvey does an EERIE Robert Shaw impression in the otherwise forgettable movie, "The Master of Disquise".

Answer 6

Absolutely, Jaws is a superb film, when you consider all the problems Spielberg faced making it 30 odd years ago. He ended up creating a classic.

I particularly like the scene where Chief Brody, after encountering the shark for the first time, steps back in to the cabin and proclaims: "We're gonna need a bigger boat"!

Answer 7

His monologue about his experience on the Indianapolis reveals his motivation for being a shark fisherman. He's the modern-day equivalent of Captain Ahab obsessed with his whale in Moby Dick right down to the disfiguring scar.

Check out the movie version of Moby Dick with Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab.

Answer 8

I love the scars comparison scene so would vote for both Richard dreyfus and Robert Shaw from this film.

Answer 9

Shaw was wonderful but that movie had an incredible cast. Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss, who had the best line in the movie. "I think you're going to need a bigger boat".

Answer 10

It is indeed, a superb monologue, and a spellbinding performance from Mr Shaw. Thanks to this, I was taught the terrible fate of the crew of USS Indianapolis.
Also, check out APOCOLYPSE NOW, when Brando tells Sheen about the 'pile of little arms'.