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Jaws script analysis

Jaws script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

In Jaws, Amity Island’s idyllic summer is shattered when a great white shark attacks beachgoers, forcing Chief Brody to grapple with his fears and the town’s economic pressures. Teaming up with oceanographer Matt Hooper and shark-hunter Quint, they hunt the beast on the open sea. Personal stakes rise with each encounter until Brody finally confronts the shark alone, killing it at great risk. The story closes with Brody and Hooper returning safely to shore.

80 Save the Cat fit score 80% analysis confidence / 50 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

90%

Introduces the peaceful beach party night before the terror begins.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 8 / 5% target

70%

Brody asserts legal authority, hinting at responsibility versus profit.

Do I need any more authority?
3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-5 / 10% target

80%

Establishes Brody’s home life, his role, and the first victim’s remains investigation.

4

Catalyst

Scene 2 / 12% target

90%

Chrissie’s shark attack shatters the town’s safety.

Tommy? Don't dunk me...
5

Debate

Scene 6 / 20% target

80%

Brody decides whether to close the beaches despite economic fallout.

6

Break into Two

Scene 8 / 25% target

80%

Brody openly challenges the mayor, committing to shut the beaches.

Do I need any more authority?
7

B Story

Scene 17 / 30% target

80%

Hooper arrives, beginning the personal alliance subplot.

Might give it a try. That three thousand bounty beats working for a living.
8

Fun and Games

Scene 19 / 40% target

70%

The chaotic hunt with multiple boats shows shark-hunting’s action.

9

Midpoint

Scene 20 / 50% target

90%

Hooper’s autopsy confirms the predator is a massive great white shark.

It wasn't an 'accident,' it wasn't a boat propeller, or a coral reef, or Jack the Ripper. It...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 26 / 65% target

80%

Town officials resist closing beaches despite mounting shark evidence.

Well, I'm not going to commit economic suicide on that flimsy evidence.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 31 / 75% target

90%

The shark breaches the estuary, attacking and causing panic.

Block the estuary! The estuary!
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 32 / 80% target

80%

Brody, shaken, resolves to hire Quint to kill the shark.

I'm going to hire Quint to kill the fish. I want to see that shark dead.
13

Break into Three

Scene 33 / 85% target

80%

Brody and Hooper officially hire Quint and set sail on the Orca.

I'm authorized by the township of Amity to hire you as an independent contractor. We'll meet your price....
14

Finale

Scene 47 / 95% target

90%

Brody kills the shark by shooting its air tank, sinking the Orca.

15

Final Image

Scene 50 / 99% target

80%

Brody and Hooper swim ashore, triumphant and changed.