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Spielberg Reveals Panic Attack, PTSD During Jaws Production
Steven Spielberg has revealed the intense psychological and physical toll directing the 1975 film Jaws took on him, including a full-blown panic attack that he initially mistook for a heart attack. The production faced numerous challenges such as mechanical shark malfunctions, extended shooting schedules exceeding the original plan by 100 days, budget overruns, and difficult on-water filming conditions. Spielberg also had to manage tensions among cast members Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss, alongside the pressure from the studio to complete the film. Despite Jaws' enormous critical and commercial success, which launched Spielberg to international stardom, he suffered from anxiety, nightmares, and what would now be recognized as PTSD for months after filming. The director expressed feeling a deep responsibility for his crew’s wellbeing during the grueling shoot, which contributed to his mental health struggles. These insights are shared in the National Geographic documentary Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, marking the film’s 50th anniversary.

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