Watch The Endless Summer

The Endless Summer is a classic surfing documentary released in 1965 that takes the audience on a thrilling journey across the world in search of the perfect wave. Directed by Bruce Brown, the film stars professional surfers Robert August and Michael Hynson on a quest to discover new and uncharted surfing spots. The documentary begins with August and Hynson in California, where they team up with their sponsor, former professional wrestler Lord James Blears. Blears provides them with a round-trip ticket around the world so the two surfers can search for the ultimate wave. After hitting Hawaii, where surfing was born, the duo travels to Senegal, Ghana, and South Africa, where they surf some of the most remote patches of coastline on the planet.

The footage captured in The Endless Summer is nothing short of breathtaking. The documentary showcases the natural beauty of each destination and, more importantly, the unique and diverse waves that each location offers. The film's cinematographer, Bruce Brown, does an excellent job of capturing the surfers in action, with close-up shots of their boards as they ride the waves and footage from a helicopter that shows just how small August and Hynson are in comparison to the waves they're trying to conquer.

But it's not just the surfing that makes The Endless Summer such a timeless documentary. The film also provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultures of the countries that August and Hynson visit. From dancing with locals in Senegal to observing a traditional cleansing ritual in Ghana, the surfers immerse themselves in the local customs and traditions of each country they visit. The film also highlights the different lifestyles of the surfers they meet along the way, from the laid-back Californian wave riders to the hungry Australian surfers who would do anything to catch the next wave.

One of the most memorable scenes in the documentary is when August and Hynson visit Cape St. Francis in South Africa. The area is known for its huge waves and strong currents, and getting in the water is a high-stakes game. The surfers take a risk and try to catch the perfect wave, but things quickly turn dangerous when August is caught in a strong rip current. The tension in the scene is palpable, and it shows just how risky and exhilarating this sport can be.

The soundtrack of The Endless Summer is also worth mentioning, as it features some iconic surf rock tracks from the likes of The Sandals and The Ventures. The music not only adds to the sense of adventure and excitement in the film, but it also acts as a perfect accompaniment to the surfers' movements.

It's hard to overstate the impact that The Endless Summer has had on the world of surfing documentary filmmaking. It popularized the sport and introduced it to a wider audience, and its influence can still be seen in modern surfing documentaries today. But more than that, The Endless Summer is a testament to the infinite possibilities of travel and a reminder that the world is full of undiscovered treasures waiting to be explored.

Overall, The Endless Summer is a must-watch for anyone who loves surfing or travel documentaries. It's a timeless classic that showcases the beauty and danger of surfing as well as the diversity of the planet we call home.

The Endless Summer is a 1966 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 82.