Is there still enough left of the Jaws legacy to pull out a three hour documentary on the film, its lasting effects, and impact? More than we know apparently. The Shark is Still Working, a smile-worthy title on multiple levels, is the type of feature you wish more commercial DVD releases would include to satisfy the insatiable appetite film fans crave. This is unquestionably the best piece on the phenomenon of Jaws you’ll see, regardless of what media its on.

Even mild movie fans know the story of Bruce the shark, the pains it took to make him work, and how a frustrated young director named Spielberg spared nothing to bring Jaws to life. Wisely, without competing with the 1995 laser disc release of The Making of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, Still Working spends minimal time on the film itself. This is far more encompassing, dealing with nearly every aspect of fandom, the smallest bit players, memorabilia, props, and far too many things to possibly list here.

There is no central focus here. The only core connecting piece is the narration by Roy Scheider who couldn’t possibly be a better choice. That’s not to say the film is convoluted or confusing. To a non-fan of the film Jaws, there’s a staggering amount of material to cover and it does so with a proper flow. To the fans, there’s a staggering amount of reminiscing or confirmation their obsession is hardly unique.

For the true die-hard, the amount of detail that went into securing interviews (however brief) with even backgrounds characters that don’t even speak in the film is a treasure chest of information. From the guitarist of the opening beach party, bit-part Vineyard residents, to minor boaters who managed one line, it’s hard to imagine anyone still living that has gone undetected for this documentary. Even the stunt doubles have their chance to talk.

Stand-out moments include Spielberg discussing what the film would have been like if it were made today. This paints a varied picture of not just Jaws, but the film industry in general. An unbelievable amount of footage from premieres in Japan, behind the scenes home movies, and on-set happenings make this three-hour piece fly by. Incredibly, it hits that time marker with barely any footage from the film itself. This is new content, not padding for time.

With all of the information provided for the viewer, it’s a shame there is so little time spent on the sequels. While they understandably don’t have the same impact or fan base, a segment on Jaws: The Ride at Universal Studios is longer than the total combined time spent on the three follow-ups. This feels like a missed opportunity, especially given the limited amount of information made available on those “lesser” efforts.

Amazingly, with all of the effort put forth to document this legendary film from any angle imaginable, The Shark is Still Working is still struggling to find a distributor. While it would be the best companion piece to any Jaws re-release DVD or HD DVD, it’s deserving of its own place on store shelves. To do anything less would be a disservice.

To join in the effort to let this film see mainstream distribution, visit their website.