Peter Benchley dead at 65 - Jaws author

[menemsha43]

Very sad news. My condolences to his family and friends

 

[drbill]

Benchley was the worst thing to happen to shark populations since the invention of sharkfin soup. Whatever he tried to do later in life, in no way did it make up for the harm he caused earlier.

Although I never met Benchley myself, I did listen to a number of interviews he gave about the impact of "Jaws" on our attitude towards sharks. As others have indicated here, he bordered on being appalled at what the public did in response to the movie and book.

To give another example, would you fault Disney and the scientific consultants on the film "Finding Nemo" for the sudden rash of clownfish purchases by the public after the film was released? In a sense these are quite similar... the film itself vs the public's reaction to it. Although I think Disney's intent was quite to the contrary regarding keeping clownfish in home aquaria (and possibly putting additional pressure on natural populations to supply the aquarium trade), the public reacted to the movie by buying four times as many as before the film was released.

It was not his intent to incite such a reaction. I base my judgment on someone's actions based on their intent. IMHO he does not deserve your harsh judgment.

I will admit that after seeing "Jaws" in 1975, I stopped diving until I saw "Jaws II" and realized what nonsense the movies were.

 

[menemsha43]

It was not his intent to incite such a reaction. I base my judgment on someone's actions based on their intent. IMHO he does not deserve your harsh judgment.

Well said Bill. Agree totally

 

[MikeC]

I saw him speak at the National Aquarium in Baltimore two summers ago. His presentation was too short. RIP

 

[Ishie]

I must have been born at the wrong time. I didn't see Jaws for a VERY long time (until about two years ago), because I didn't have a shark phobia and didn't want one...

Then I finally saw the director's cut while at a friend's house, and it was like "Geeze, just kill the big fake shark already".

And what was with that "Rite of Spring" fairy music??? Talk about taking the drama out of what might have been an intense scene.

 

[jbilicska]

A great advocate of the ocean died yesterday. Since writing Jaws he became involved in learning about the ocean and it's creatures and was a big fan of the sharks, writing books on them and appearing in National Geographic Films with them.


Benchley writes in his new book, Shark Trouble: "We knew so little back then, and have learned so much since, that I couldn't possibly write the same story today. I know now that the mythic monster I created was largely a fiction. I also know now, however, that the genuine animal is just as—if not even more—fascinating."
(from an interview with him)

 

[Scuba Stefan]

In many ways Peter benchley started my fascination for sharks when I first saw Jaws (which BTW is an awesome movie and a really good book too).

He made me wonder and got me interested - which I will be forever grateful for.

RIP

 

[Scuba Jerm]

Benchley was the worst thing to happen to shark populations since the invention of sharkfin soup. Whatever he tried to do later in life, in no way did it make up for the harm he caused earlier.

Never read any of his books, but I did see Jaws..... and let me just say. At the tendor age of like 6 or 7... never been more scared in my life. But that didn't stop me from Surfing or Scuba diving! If we, as a society, were to start using motion pictures as a basis for reality, how screwed up would we be? Come on... it was just a movie

 

[DavidPT40]

I noticed that Peter Benchley looked to be in very poor health at "Jawsfest". His book "Shark Trouble" was excellent. Its a shame he died so young. Could his lung problems have been diving related?

 

[cdiver2]

Benchley was the worst thing to happen to shark populations since the invention of sharkfin soup. Whatever he tried to do later in life, in no way did it make up for the harm he caused earlier.

Blaming him for other peoples ignorance and stupidity