Steven Spielberg Recalls Calling His Mom for Support While Filming 'Jaws'

Nearly 50 years after 'Jaws' hit theatres, Steven Spielberg is opening up about the emotional toll and behind-the-scenes struggles he faced during the film’s production. In National Geographic’s new documentary, 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story', the legendary director shares intimate memories, including how he regularly turned to his mother for comfort while filming what would become one of the most iconic thrillers in cinematic history.

Though Spielberg was already a grown man when he directed 'Jaws' in 1974, he found himself calling his mother, Leah Adler, for support during particularly difficult moments on set. According to the director, those calls were filled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability, as he leaned on his mother like he had as a child, overwhelmed by the pressures of the shoot.

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Filming 'Jaws' Was Difficult For Steven Spielberg

The production of 'Jaws' is infamous for its technical difficulties and delays, and Steven Spielberg doesn’t shy away from acknowledging how those challenges affected his mental well-being. Despite the chaos, he never once considered walking away from the project. However, he did admit to feeling an intense fear of being fired due to how far behind schedule the film had fallen.

At one point, Universal Studios executive Sid Sheinberg flew to Martha’s Vineyard to personally assess the situation. Spielberg recalls the studio head expressing serious doubts about whether the film could be completed. In response, Spielberg expressed his firm commitment to finishing the movie, insisting that he could get it done despite the odds.

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The director wasn’t entirely alone in navigating the storm. He received in-person support from fellow filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who occasionally visited the set from New York. Steven Spielberg said those visits brought him comfort because he and Scorsese would talk about their struggles and connect over the challenges they faced while making films.

Beyond logistical hurdles, Spielberg also faced harsh criticism from within the industry. One actor, frustrated by the delays, bluntly told him that word was spreading in Hollywood that he was irresponsible with money and would never be hired again. Steven Spielberg remembers this as a deeply discouraging and unnecessary attack, one that added to the emotional strain of the already overwhelming shoot.

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Now, five decades later, Spielberg looks back at 'Jaws' as a defining chapter in his life. He says the experience was both tough and life-changing — something he and the team had to get through together. And for him, that sense of survival turned into pride. Spielberg hopes that everyone who worked on the film carries that memory as a badge of honour, recognising the resilience it took to complete it.

'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story' premieres on 10th July on National Geographic and begins streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

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