Alternate Versions

Most films differ in presentation on television and on the screen. The theatrical cut may be cut to comply with the network censors, or discarded scenes may be added to lengthen the film's running time. However, in some cases, there may be even greater differences.

JAWS 2

Supposedly a great deal of footage was scrapped when they changed directors on this movie. The first screenplay is much different from the final draft, with entirely different sequences and some characters who do not appear in the finished film. Most notably, the attack on the waterskiier is much more elaborate and involves two skiers rather than the doomed Teri. The woman ends up as fish food while the guy gets strangled by the tow line (I hate when that happens). Actor Joseph Mascolo (better known as that mean mean mean Stefano DiMera) claims his Len Petersen character had a bigger part in the first version. Yeah, go kidnap Marlena again. Whether or not this footage ever existed or if it has survived is unknown. With the rumored release of the Jaws 2 DVD, it is possible we will find out.

When Jaws 2 ran on ABC in the 80's, it had some added scenes. One was rather pointless and showed the city council voting to fire Chief Brody. The other answers alot of questions for me: it shows the shark eating that helicopter pilot. I did watch this particular airing, but I was 6 or 7 and probably had my eyes covered for most of it. I sincerely hope they put that on the DVD.

The current version going around on cable and on video does not feature these scenes.

JAWS 3-D

Obviously, the theatrical version was in 3-D and the video, retitled "Jaws III", is not. There are only two versions of this movie, but those interested might check out the first draft of the screenplay in Screenplays. It's much different from the movie we know today. Kelli dies! They should've gone with that, in my opinion. Other than that, you've got the theatrical cut and the television version, which has the floating severed arm cut out. The video also has a longer "Opening Day" montage and that cool scene where the shark explodes and his teeth come flying out at the audience is in there too (it's left out of the television version for some reason).

JAWS: THE REVENGE

No matter how many versions this comes in, it's still the weakest sequel. There is the U.S. theatrical version, which tanked. This is the one you probably also saw on Showtime, in which Jake dies at the end. When they shipped this stinker overseas, they added some footage (basically more gore and a scene revealing that Jake is alive, mon!). That is the one to be found on home video. Then you've got a weird hybrid that has aired on some local channels (no confirmation if this one is showing on TBS or any of those). This one has Jake die, but it also has a few scenes not found in either of the other cuts. The scenes are pretty useless: one has Hoagie and Ellen walking around doing nothing, another has Ellen telling Michael a strange joke, and the last has Mike and Jake discussing the shark- before they find him! Bad editor!