Being something of a surfing enthusiast, myself (in my younger days I've surfed in both Australia and Hawaii) - "The Endless Summer" (from 1966) certainly turned out to be a very entertaining and enjoyable documentary, highlighting the thrills and excitement of this tres' exhilarating sport.

From sunny Malibu Beach, California, to the uncharted waters of West Africa, to the tropical paradises of Tahiti and Hawaii, 2 young, American surfers accomplish in a few months what most people never do in a lifetime - They live their dream. And that dream for Mike and Robert is to find and ride the perfect wave.

Director Bruce Brown's whimsical narration in "The Endless Summer" gives the whole production a very comfortable, easy-going feeling that greatly contributes to its overall charm and appeal.

"Hangin' 5 - And Still Alive!"..... Originally released back in 1967 - "The Endless Summer" ("T.E.S.", for short) would be California-born director, Bruce Brown's first film to receive nationwide attention. "T.E.S." was the very first serious, cinematic look at the sport of Surfing. This flick really clicked with a mass audience.

With surfboards as their only luggage, Bruce, and his 2 buddies, Robert, and Mike, travel from one coastline to the next, trying 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 these 3 men learn a lot about people around the world. And they also grow up a bit while they search endlessly for the elusive "perfect" wave.

"T.E.S." features a great surf-rock music-score by The Sandals.

There are parts of this film that are
unique to the depiction of both the
independent film culture and to the
surf culture. Some of the beaches may never again be visited, because of world politics;. . and the
surf does seem to be a shade cleaner. But there's also a stripe to
Mr Brown's venture that has a certain air of polemic. Specifically,
the guys seem to be models for the
'Business Sector,'. . rather than the Bohemian sub-culture that even Gidget acknowledges as truer to
reality. So even though they may have had the feeling that they were
'Ambassadors' to those distant venues, they may not have realized that they did not need to present
themselves that way. Were they actually on a tour for the board
companies? Were they getting a bank-roll from the mfrs of their swim-wear? The post-war economy wanted to expand, but had to be
conscious of Korea, too. Notwithstanding, Mr Brown's tour of
duty with the military. These are factors that have to be considered
if you are going to perceive a sub-culture being presented for the consumption of a naive audience.

A must-see film about surfing. God bless Bruce Brown!

Being something of a Surfing enthusiast, myself, in my younger days (I've surfed in both Australia and Hawaii), The Endless Summer (from 1966) certainly turned out to be a very entertaining and enjoyable documentary, highlighting the thrills and excitement of this tres' exhilarating sport._____ From sunny Malibu Beach, California, to the uncharted waters of West Africa, to the tropical paradises of Tahiti and Hawaii, 2 young, American surfers accomplish in a few months what most people never do in a lifetime - They live their dream. And that dream for Mike and Robert is to find and ride the perfect wave._____ Director Bruce Brown's whimsical narration in The Endless Summer gives the whole production a very comfortable, easy-going feeling that greatly contributes to its overall charm and appeal.

Made in the mid 60s, this is by now a priceless piece of cultural history. 2 young surfers and a filmmaker set out to follow the summer around the world and surf the year round. They go to Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. It has some fine early efforts to capture the magnificent power and beauty of the waves, but the African footage alone is worth 5 stars.

A great documentary, I'm told. It is still on my list to watch.