While Bruce Brown had been making films about surfing since the late 1950s, The Endless Summer was his first film to receive a nationwide release; it was also the first serious cinematic look at the sport to click with a mass audience. In his narration, Brown muses that if someone had enough time and money, they could literally follow the summer around the globe, and so Brown and two of his surfing buddies, Robert August and Mike Hynson, decide to do just that. With their surfboards as luggage,
August and Henson travel from one coastline to the next, trying the waves in Hawaii, Africa, Australia, Tahiti, and a number of other nations where most folks had never even seen a surfboard before. Along the way, August and Hynson learn a lot about people around the world, and grow up a bit while they search for the elusive perfect wave. The Endless Summer also features a great surf-rock score by The Sandals. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Brown leaves analysis of the surf-cult mystique to seagoing sociologists, but demonstrates quite spiritedly that some of the brave souls mistaken for beachniks are, in fact, converts to a difficult, dangerous and dazzling sport.
Shunning the tons of equipment ordinarily taken along on location, Brown used only what he could carry. The beautiful photography he brought home almost makes you wonder if Hollywood hasn't been trying too hard.
As surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August teach natives to surf and get chased by dolphins and zebras, you can't help but laugh and feel good while watching their lighthearted antics.
"The Endless Summer" is a great movie to watch when you just want to relax and see a good movie. It's about a couple of surfers who go around the world trying to find the perfect wave. You'll see them travel to many places while they try to find the best surfing spots the world has to offer. Really, the movie's not
completely about surfing, it's about being young and free and just enjoying yourself. I've been to the ocean several times, but I've never really tried to surf, but I really liked this movie. The scenery and photography is done as well as it could've been and the storyline is interesting and it will keep you watching the whole time without you getting bored any.
I recommend anybody to get "The Endless Summer." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000.
At the end, Bruce Brown says, "I hope you liked my film." And, the answer is, yes, Bruce, I did! This laid-back documentary perfectly gives the audience an idea of what surfing is all about. It's about being one with nature and going with the flow of life. Here, it's just two guys traveling the world looking for the
perfect wave. It starts quietly and ends quietly. No dialogue, just Bruce Brown providing his humorous narration throughout. Deservedly the classic surfing documentary!
No quotes approved yet for The Endless Summer. Logged in users can submit quotes.
Submit a Quote from 'The Endless Summer'
A quote can be a single line from one character or a memorable dialog between several characters. Please make your quotes accurate. Quotes will be submitted for approval by the RT staff.
Example:
Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try. Yoda: No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.
Top Critic
