The Endless Summer

Director: Bruce Brown
Year Released: 1966
Rating: 3.0

Landmark documentary on the joys of surfing as Brown follows two buddies (Rob August and Mike Hynson) as they try to follow the summer season around the globe, venturing to Africa, Tahiti and other preciously quaint nooks to enjoy the weather and water. The running commentary by Brown is informative if a little corny (and not exactly politically correct), but the free-spirit feeling is infectious and watching the water surge and roll has a pleasant hypnotic effect. Brown's not trying to champion "the best surfer in the world" or rank them or anything like that: this is a celebration of embracing and respecting mother nature.