MovieChat Forums > Jaws (1975) Discussion > That orange tracking device Hooper ties ...

That orange tracking device Hooper ties onto the barrel..."It's my turn, Quint"

posted 6 years ago by replicant4 (219)
8 replies | jump to latest

Nothing really comes of it, other than....whenever the barrels surfaced, we got to see that cool blinking light. I wonder if, in earlier drafts of the story, maybe Hooper's equipment (like that tracking device) came into play a bit more? Why take the time to show Hooper tying it onto the barrel and saying that cool line ("It's my turn, Quint"), if nothing else ever comes of it? (Except of course, the cool blinking light).

[–] duckofprey (1535) 6 years ago

That was the point, to SEE when the shark was near or at the surface. Musta had a hell of a battery though.

[–] punky (7) 6 years ago

That line always sounded out of place to me too. It's on AMC right now and that brought me here. However here, he said "your turn Quint", not "it's my turn Quint". Has it always been "your turn"? I can't recall at the moment.

[–] replicant4 (219) 6 years ago

I'm watching it on AMC now as well. I wonder.....if most people think it was indeed the shark on Quint's line. That particular scene has always been one of my favorites. Ever since I was a kid, the way the tension builds...as Quint quietly straps-in and commits. And man does he sell that scene....the look in his eyes, the intensity. And the idea that such an enormous shark had gone "down under the boat" always freaked me out as a kid. Jaws is so damn classic....no matter how many times I see it, it never diminishes it. And it's a perfect time capsule not only for the 70's, in New England...but also a time capsule for how you first felt, watching it as a kid....perhaps on the "ABC Friday Night Movie", sitting on your favorite bean bag chair, with a batch of popcorn and a Faygo....hoping you could stay up just a little past your bedtime to see the end. Not many films can do that, but Jaws does it.

[–] replicant4 (219) 6 years ago

The other line in Jaws that feels somewhat out of place is when Hooper is examining the remains of the first victim and says: "So this is what happens". It still sorta fits the context of his dialogue....but it seems like some dialogue must have been edited out.

[–] Gd5150 (11016) 6 years ago

Yeah that line is clearly cut short. I always chuckle when I hear it because it’s clear whatever else he said ended up on the cutting room floor.

[–] punky (7) 4 years ago

Yes replicant! Was this ever explained in any doco or such?

[–] punky (7) 4 years ago

Shit. It's been two years. ha ha

[–] ebhaynz (3528) 4 years ago

Isn't the line "It's your turn, Quint"?..if so, I believe Hooper's basically saying to Quint "we've got the shark cornered, it's now YOUR turn to catch or kill the shark"..as the other wannabee shark hunters had had their opportunity and blown it.