The Endless Summer (1965)

The crown jewel to ten years of Bruce Brown surfing documentaries. Brown follows two young surfers around the world in search of the perfect wave, and ends up finding quite a few in addition to some colorful local characters.

Director:

Bruce Brown

Writer:

Bruce Brown

Stars:

Robert August, Michael Hynson, Lord James Blears

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Hynson	...	Principal surfer (as Mike Hynson)
Robert August	...	Principal surfer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lord James Blears	...	Self (as Lord 'Tally Ho' Blears)
Bruce Brown	...	Narrator
Terence Bullen	...	South African guide
Lance Carson	...	Self
Roy Crump	...	North Shore Surfer
Chip Fitzwater	...	Self - Bodysurfer at the Wedge with 'rigor mortis of the stomach.'
Chuck Gardner	...	Self - Bellyboarder at the Wedge throwing board over wave
Fred Hemmings	...	Self
Wayne Miyata	...	Self

Storyline

They call it The Endless Summer the ultimate surfing adventure, crossing the globe in search of the perfect wave. From the uncharted waters of West Africa, to the shark-filled seas of Australia, to the tropical paradise of Tahiti and beyond, these California surfers accomplish in a few months what most people never do in a lifetime...They live their dream. Director Bruce Brown creates a film so powerful it has become a timeless masterpiece that continues to capture the imagination of every new generation. When it first played in theaters, audiences lined up to see it again and again, spellbound by its thrilling excitement and awesome photography. But in fact, what's most compelling about the film is the sport of surfing itself, and once you've seen it, you'll never forget why.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | beach party | surfing | wave | surfer | 

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Taglines:

The adventures of two American surfers who follow an everlasting summer around the world - searching for the perfect wave. Filmed in color in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, and California.

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Genres:

Documentary | Sport

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

An article in the "L.A. Weekly" about the film stated that three years after Bruce Brown (I) and Michael Hynson returned from a cross-country trip promoting the film, it finally took off. Brown was getting great press and being called the surfing millionaire. He had put up $50,000 of his own money for promotion, and that investment was finally paying off. The film eventually earned $30 million.

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Goofs

Walking down to the beach in Ghana, West Africa, both Mike Hynson and Robert August are wearing white bathing suits. A few moments later on the same beach Mike Hynson is now wearing a blue bathing suit.

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Quotes

Narrator: [Entering Ghana] Were they really doing the right thing? Had the UN been there before or not?

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to old king Neptune for providing the waves in this film

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Alternate Versions

Footage not originally shown in the movie is shown in the documentary "Endless Summer Revisited".

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Connections

Referenced in Summer School (1987)

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Soundtracks

Drifting
Written by Hank B. Marvin
Performed by The Sandals

User Reviews

The original and best surfing movie ever

Interesting, intelligent and well-narrated movie done in the days of innocence before boring thrash-metal soundtracks drowned out commentary from surf-movies. No matter what age you are, if you like surfing (and probably if you don't) you will find this movie interesting as it travels around the world examining cultures and people as well looking for the "perfect wave". Sure, Bruce Brown's commentary may sometimes sound goofy but it enhances the innocent feel of the movie and its place in time. This is the definitive surf movie - the measure by which other movies can only be judged. A recent "Realsurf" website (Realsurf publishes worldwide surf reports on the internet) reader pool of '000's voted "Endless Summer" as the best surf movie of all time with daylight second and Endless Summer 2 next.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 February 1965 (Australia)

Also Known As:

The Endless Summer

Filming Locations:

French Polynesia

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$10,233

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,233

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bruce Brown Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1