The Endless Summer (1966)

100% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(5,218 ratings)

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… More 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

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Bruce Brown
Written By: Bruce Brown
Genres: Documentary, Sports & Fitness

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1966 Limited
On DVD: Sep 30, 2003
Studio: Image Entertainment

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
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.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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.
Robert Alden, New York Times
Visually fascinating.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
[VIDEO] The film is an invaluable time capsule of surfing and cultural significance. If it still occurs as the ultimate example of a vacation-as-vocation movie, then so much the better.
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
True to its title, The Endless Summer exudes a blissful, mellow buzz that could easily be misconstrued as lazy or innocuous filmmaking.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Dazzlingly picturesque.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Premier surfing documentary by Bruce Brown.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
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.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
A lot more intriguing than any "surfing documentary" oughtta be.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Bruce Brown's loving surfing documentary.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

"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… More
"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.