The Endless Summer
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The Endless Summer
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Endless Summer is a 1966 documentary about two California surfer boys who decide to travel the world, going where the weather is warm and looking for new places to surf. There's a lot of information about then-popular places to surf in California, the sport in general, and some of the famous surfers of the day. A few bloody injuries are briefly visible, and some dangers of surfing are discussed. A young woman's butt crack is visible for a few minutes and is remarked on by the narrator and is distracting to Robert and Mike. There's some dated sexism and some cultural insensitivity that was accepted as the norm back then; these are good reminders for talking about how attitudes have and haven't changed. Surfers Robert and Mike are positive role models for being open, friendly, curious, and helpful to each other out on the waves.
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What's the Story?
In the early 1960s, two California surfers decide to spend a year of THE ENDLESS SUMMER, living their dream of finding new places to surf by following warm weather all around the world. Filmmaker Bruce Brown documents their experiences, from being the first people to use surfboards in Dakar, to finding waves in Tahiti, to learning why you don't try to pet zebras. Sometimes they find waves, sometimes they don't. But they always find a new adventure around every corner.
Is It Any Good?
A fascinating travel adventure that always keeps the sport of surfing, and the waves, front and center. Director Bruce Brown's photography in The Endless Summer makes viewers wish they were out on the waves, too. At a time when surf and beach culture was just breaking through pop culture, audiences were given a real, detailed look at surfing, some of its heroes, and two engaging young men who became virtual ambassadors of the sport.
It may not be fair to put modern expectations on attitudes from over half a century ago, but some of those attitudes may make today's audiences cringe, like half-seriously wondering if they'll be attacked by natives, and patronizing attitudes toward women, both in general and as surfers. The movie's biggest appeal is to fans interested in the history of the sport, especially in how it has changed since the early '60s. But anyone can be inspired by Robert and Mike's spirit of adventure and desire to chase their dreams.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Endless Summer shows the people of Western Africa. What do you think expectations were about what it would be like? What were those expectations based on?
What are the film's attitudes toward women and female surfers? How can you tell? If a similar documentary were made today, would things be different? How?
Mike and Robert certainly didn't go everywhere. Are there any places they skipped that you'd like to go to someday, whether to surf or just to have an adventure?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 15, 1966
- On DVD or streaming: May 23, 2000
- Cast: Michael Hynson, Robert August
- Director: Bruce Brown
- Studio: Bruce Brown Films
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, Adventures, Friendship, History
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: April 4, 2022
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