Christmas day screening of Robert Shaw documentary on TG4

‘Robert Shaw - Jaws, Deoch & Deora’ (Robert Shaw, Jaws, Drink & Tears) screens Christmas Day 25/12/2015 @ 22:10 on TG4.

A one-hour documentary about the actor Robert Shaw and his home in Mayo.

Robert Shaw was many things; an Oscar nominated actor, a celebrated author, father of ten children, husband to three wives and a celebrated hell raiser. He battled James Bond in From Russia With Love and a great white shark in Jaws. He won rave reviews for his performance as Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons and was the memorable foil for Redford and Newman in The Sting.

He wrote novels, plays and screenplays, appeared in 56 movies and he died on an Irish roadside in a small Gaeltacht community he had come to call home.

This documentary tells the extraordinary story of legendary actor Robert Shaw and his adopted home of Tourmakeady in Co. Mayo.

Shaw moved there in the early 70’s with his extended family and set about renovating the former home of a Bishop. When he wasn’t making movies, he became a celebrated local and loved the anonymity Tourmakeady afforded him. He golfed in Westport, fished and swam in Lough Mask, drank and served pints in the local pub, raised both crops and cattle and even offered his home as a temporary school while the local one was being renovated.

His sudden death at the age of 51 shocked the small Mayo community and the locals remember him with fondness to this day.

Featuring interviews with family and friends, including Shaw’s wife and children, and an exclusive interview with his Hireling co-star Sarah Miles, along with exclusive access to his personal photographs and clips and stills from his movies, this documentary is a highly emotional look at the life of a complex and talented man.

‘Robert Shaw - Jaws, Deoch & Deora’ was produced and directed by Brian Reddin. The cinematographer was Gerry MacArthur and it was edited by Ultan Murphy in Windmill Lane.

Image: Shaw serving pints in Paddy's pub Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo.