Recommended music: John Williams – Three Barrels Under (from Jaws)
Welcome to another #WhateverWednesday. Today, I’m going more in-depth with my second favorite action figure of 2025: the NECA Toys Jaws Ultimate Sam Quint!
While I appreciate Richard Dreyfuss’ portrayal of Matt Hooper in the 1975 classic Jaws, I find Robert Shaw’s performance as Quint even more compelling. Quint is a modern-day Captain Ahab, driven by a singular, self-destructive obsession. He seeks far more than the $10,000 bounty for catching the shark; he has a personal vendetta against the entire species. Shaw’s monologue about the USS Indianapolis elevates Quint from a colorful caricature to a haunted, tragic figure. His description of a shark’s “lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes” remains among the most chilling pieces of dialogue ever written for cinema. With his instinct and experience, Quint represents the clash of ideologies that creates friction within the trio dynamic in the second half of the film. He puts the everyman Chief Brody in his place aboard his vessel and sneers at Hooper’s intellect by criticizing his expensive “college boy” equipment and Hooper’s “city hands.”
For those curious about the first name “Sam” for Mr. Quint, it appears to have originated in fan fiction from the 1990s, since the character lacks a first name in both the film and Peter Benchley’s original novel. I’m fine with this name, as it’s not even used on the excellent window box packaging, which was beautiful before being quickly put into the recycle bin. The “Quint” nametag is clearly printed on the figure’s iconic green U.S. Navy field jacket.
I have been a fan of Jaws for many years, and it remains a film I will watch no matter where it is shown, including a recent viewing on the seatback screen on a plane. I appreciate the acting, the suspense, and the John Williams score. Until now, I had not encountered high-quality action figures based on the film. Although NECA has held the license for several years, its 8-inch version of Quint, released four or five years ago, resembled a vintage Mego tribute rather than a modern, highly detailed action figure.
When NECA announced that Hooper and Quint would be added to their 7-inch Ultimate line for the Jaws 50th anniversary at the New York Toy Fair in March, I was enthusiastic. Although the figures did not ship until the third quarter and missed the June 20 anniversary, I am highly satisfied with the final products.
The likeness is highly accurate across the three available head options. Like the Hooper figure, the jacket is removable and features swappable arms, allowing for multiple costume variations from the film. The 1/10 scale figure also includes four pairs of hands and several scene-specific accessories, such as a baseball bat for smashing radios, a harpoon gun, a machete, a rifle, a crushed beer can, and another beer can (not crushed). NECA even went through the trouble of getting the license for the actual Narragansett beer from the film.
Overall, this figure is excellent, with a detailed sculpt, high-quality paint application, and adequate articulation. I would appreciate the addition of a Chief Martin Brody figure for display; however, it is reported that the estate of Roy Scheider does not permit the use of his likeness on products. As a result, existing Brody figures are either stylized, such as Lego, or produced as third-party customs.
“YOU’RE CERTIFIABLE, QUINT, YOU KNOW THAT?! YOU’RE CERTIFIABLE!”
– Chief Brody
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