The Endless Summer (DVD)

...year, as i'd always seen the famous shilloutte taken from it (3 guys with longboards, standing at a sunset, usually yellow pink and red, but sometimes blue) around on car stickers and tin signs, some saying Endless Summer, others the brand name of whatever brand had used the motif. You have probably seen it, even if you dont know it.

Anyway, i learned it was a surfing film, so thought id check it out. Its pretty rare, and expensive ...
...it, i was moved to the point of needing to write a review.

BREIF synopsis:
3 guys, all surfers, are going on a quest for the perfect wave, chasing the summer round the globe so it stays nice an hot. They are from Malibu, and head to Africa (west then south), Australia, and the South Pacific. One guy films them (bruce Brown), while two of them surf. It was made in the 60s, so the quality is not great, as it is an amateur film, ... more

This film is great. I first learned that existed as a film last year, as i'd always seen the famous shilloutte taken from it (3 guys with longboards, standing at a sunset, usually yellow pink and red, but sometimes blue) around on car stickers and tin signs, some saying Endless Summer, others the brand name of whatever brand had used the motif. You have probably seen it, even if you dont know it.

Anyway, i learned it was a surfing film, so thought id check it out. Its pretty rare, and expensive to buy, so i rented it. It came, i watched it, i was moved to the point of needing to write a review.

BREIF synopsis:
3 guys, all surfers, are going on a quest for the perfect wave, chasing the summer round the globe so it stays nice an hot. They are from Malibu, and head to Africa (west then south), Australia, and the South Pacific. One guy films them (bruce Brown), while two of them surf. It was made in the 60s, so the quality is not great, as it is an amateur film, and no sound from the time was recorded, it is all dubbed with the filmmaker's voice and music.

So thats the general gist of what happens. Whats amazing about this film is that its one of the first of its kind. Surfing had just become available to the masses, re-discovered in a way, and the boards were made from new materials, and were much easier to carry. This film was truly innovative.

These guys go to some places that have never seen a surfboard before, like Western Africa, where some great things happen, like they stroll down to a beach to catch some waves, and all the locals watch them, stunned by whats happening, and surround them, wanting goes on their boards. Its quite touching actually.

The whole way through the commentator gives snippets of local interest, like how the fishing works, and why they are where they are, and of course relays what people are saying to eachother, as there is no microphone or sound recording equipment. This commentaor, the guy who filmed the whole things, is also hilarious. some of the phrases he comes out with, and the intonation of his voice, makes the whole film entertaining from start to finish. (although, at some points its not entirley PC, but it is the sixties)

This film reveals some very quiet spots for the surfer, and although i imagine that forty years on these places have been revisited, its nice to imagine them quiet and tranquil. It may also change some of your opinions about where to surf, as in Australia they catch no waves of a decent size, and in West Africa they find some perfect waves! Its all a bit bizarre!

There arent really any special features, there is a trailer for the movie, but to be honest, if you watch carefully, the special features are the tips you pick up from their moves, i cant wait to go an try some of the things ive seen....although im now wanting to try them in warmer climates, something i cant afford, but really want! Damn you Bruce Brown!

This film is great, and the original surf film. Its worth a watch even if you dont surf, maybe you'll be inspired!  

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