Talkin' About Sharkin'

Is there any movie that's been ripped off more than JAWS? I'd like to know the answer, but in the meantime, the wonders of Youtube have presented me with some great clips that I'd like to share. Clips of the funniest, most awesomely bad - and usually Italian - Spielberg wannabes you'll ever see.


THE LAST SHARK (1982, d. Enzo G. Castellari) is probably the only case of a JAWS "homage" actually being sued for copying the 1975 masterpiece. When the film hit US theaters in 1982, Universal immediately took action, won the case and thus ensured that the film would never reach American soil again. Interestingly the film, described in its trailer as "The Most Terrifying Motion Picture of 1982" featured a helicopter accident and Vic Morrow, a couple of years before a helicopter accident would end Morrow's life (on the set of TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE). Still, THE LAST SHARK has a wonderful opening theme song, almost the polar opposite of JAWS's opening title. Ominous strings and underwater photography? Nah, we'll go for breezy Ameri-pop and windsurfing, thanks.

Watch the trailer here (under the US Title GREAT WHITE)

Watch the opening here. More clips here and here.


Lamberto Bava's MONSTER SHARK (1984) doesn't seem to actually be about a shark at all, more some sort of shark/octopus hybrid, but it doesn't stop it plagiarising JAWS. I've never seen it, but let's be honest, Lamberto has never been a Mario, right? Still, watch the trailer for some quality Goblin-esque synth and general ocean-related madness.

However, the one that really takes the fishcake is CRUEL JAWS, known in some territories as JAWS 5. Directed by maestro Bruno Mattei, CJ is not only a poor, poor movie, but doesn't just rip JAWS off, it steals from it outright. Combining stock footage with actual stolen clips from JAWS, JAWS 2 and JAWS 3-D (and allegedly some music cues from STAR WARS), Mattei's movie comes across as some kind of demented parody/fan film. Watch a bit here and see if you can count the stolen shots.

Of course, this wouldn't be complete without a mention of JAWS, THE REVENGE, so check out the alternative narrated opening here. I can't figure out whether someone has actually placed the narration on or Universal did actually have a narrator at some point, but either way it's really fucking weird. Fate or circumstance? You decide.

Five-second update: Apparently (well, according to Wikipedia), the narration is legit. Wow.