Cruel Jaws

The military ship Cleveland crashes at sea near Cape Farrows, triggering a dangerous rescue effort. Divers Paco and Jose search the wreck but are killed by a large tiger shark. The ship's captain Ramone is also killed in the shark attack.

On Hampton Bay's shore, the body of one diver is found, signaling the growing threat. Chief Berger and fish expert Morrison transport the body for autopsy and confirm a shark attack. The discovery prompts officials to consider safety measures and response options.

Autopsy results confirm the diver's death was caused by a shark attack, heightening public fear. Mayor Godfrey and Samuel Lewis resist postponing the Regatta due to political and rent pressures. The town debates whether to tighten safety measures while the event looms.

That night, Katie Adams and her boyfriend Dan swim at Old Beach, where the shark attacks and Katie is killed. The incident deepens the sense of danger across the community. Officials face pressure to act while the Regatta planning continues.

Shark-proof gates are installed along the coastline in an attempt to contain the threat. Bill Morrison questions the barriers’ effectiveness and warns that danger may still loom. Regatta preparations proceed despite the escalating risk.

Despite containment efforts, the shark continues to attack during the Regatta, injuring and killing surfers. The phenomenon reveals the containment limits and increases public panic. Officials scramble to manage the expanding crisis.

The shark breaches the pier, pulling victims into the water and causing a wave of injuries. Dag Soerenson's wheelchair-using daughter Susy falls into the ocean, and Bill's girlfriend Vanessa dives in to help but is devoured. The rescue efforts become a grim symbol of the threat.

Samuel Lewis, connected to the Mafia, offers a reward to kill the shark, turning the crisis into a crime plot. Ronnie Lewis, Lewis's son, goes out to confront the creature but is terrified and falls into the water, where the shark devours him. His friends die when their boat explodes accidentally.

Chief Berger launches a helicopter assault to kill the shark, but the creature proves too formidable. The shark disables the helicopter, and Berger along with the pilot are devoured. The failure underscores the scale of the threat.

Bill reveals that the Cleveland was carrying a top-secret Navy-trained shark intended to attack enemies. The information reframes the danger as a controlled weapon rather than a random animal attack. The town reevaluates the threat in light of the new context.

Two Mafia-associated thugs visit the wreck site to steal Bill's map to the Cleveland, hoping to exploit the weapon. They are devoured by the same shark, illustrating the predator's invincible reach. The incident escalates the sense of inevitable danger.

Dag, Bill, Bob, and Larry sail to the Cleveland wreck, rig it with dynamite, and blow up the vessel to kill the shark. The plan succeeds, ending the immediate threat and allowing Dag to claim the reward. The victory resolves the aquarium's rent issue and restores some stability to the community.