THE BLUFFER'S GUIDE

THIS month marks the 50th anniversary of the release of blockbuster Jaws so here are some facts about the hit film.

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JAWS the book was written by Peter Benchley and published in February 1974. It only contained 272 pages.

Benchley plays a TV reporter in the film, the story of a shark's enmity with a policeman, Martin Brody, on Amity island.

The novel has subplots about the Mafia, Brody's wife's fixation with her lost youth and her seduction of a scientist, Matt Hooper, hired to advise on capturing the shark.

Larry Vaughan, the mayor who wanted the beaches closed, is also revealed to be an admirer of Mrs Brody.