The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

100% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings

Documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown, himself a competition-level surfer, follows surfers Michael Hynson and Robert August on an around-the-world surfing adventure. With Brown's wry, sardonic narration and a twangy, guitar-driven instrumental soundtrack by The Sandals playing over the silent footage, Mike and Rob leave their California home to visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots in a search for the surfer's holy grail that Brown dubs "The Perfect Wave."

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The Endless Summer

Critics Reviews

View All (23) Critics Reviews
The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (1) William J. Nazzaro Arizona Republic The Endless Summer is a film you will enjoy, even if you have no interest in surfing. Aug 19, 2021 Full Review The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Ian Buckwalter NPR Part surfing film, part travelogue, occasionally even anthropological study and wildlife film, ultimately it visually taps into the wanderlust that sends us to far-flung beaches in search of an escape from life that we can't find at home. Rated: 7/10 Jul 25, 2014 Full Review The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Linda Stasi New York Post Just breathtaking. Aug 7, 2013 Full Review The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Sarah Cartland Caution Spoilers A laid-back golden haze, a soundtrack of 60s summer tunes. The jokey racism and leering camera now grate; the surfing is still spectacular as two men, genuinely curious about the places they visit, travel the world in search of a perfect wave. Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 19, 2019 Full Review The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Thrillist Entertainment Staff Thrillist There's living the dream life, and then there's living the effin' dream. Nov 28, 2018 Full Review The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Andrea Beach Common Sense Media Dated but fascinating surfing documentary still charms. Rated: 3/5 Jul 25, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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christopher c. m All I have is one question, HOW THE FUCK IS THIS SO POPULAR? This is not a documentary. A documentary has interviews with legendary surfers. The history of where and how surfing started, maybe footage from a surfing competition. But it has none of that. It's people surfing and surfing and surfing. That's it, just surfing and the way Bruce Broan narrates everything. With no sound from the actual footage. It feels like the audience is trapped in Bruce's den watching his home movies of his summer vacations. This is for two people, people who are really into just watching surfing or people who have insomnia. If you have no interest in surfing this will not give you an interest. You learn nothing on how or why. The title is correct, the endless summer because with the nothing on screen, it feels like it's never going to reach the end credits. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I can put this movie on loop and watch it all day. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I saw this movie as a thirteen year old at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse theater in the early 70's.The movie changed my life! Corporate culture was strong everyone in their cubicle. Endless Summer showed a different lifestyle- SurfingTravelEatingCampingMaking new friends Learning about and respecting nature and the weather Happy surfer for 53 years.Teaching surfing for 33 years! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member While I personally have zero interest in surfing, The Endless Summer managed to pull me in until the very end. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member The Endless Summer is a very laid back film showing an incredible snippet of the '60s (occasional racism included).I highly recommend watching this gem, which is best enjoyed with some friends and a chilled drink of choice in hand.It starts off very surf focussed but quickly takes you on a fantastic and very humorous journey all around the globe. It's an adventure, that travellers and surfers today can only dream of, visiting untouched lands and beaches that a densely populated today. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Literally one of the best movies of all time Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Endless Summer

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Cast & Crew

Bruce Brown Director Bruce Brown Narrator Bruce Brown Writer Bruce Brown Producer John Blakeley Original Music Gaston Georis Original Music
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The Endless Summer

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Synopsis Documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown, himself a competition-level surfer, follows surfers Michael Hynson and Robert August on an around-the-world surfing adventure. With Brown's wry, sardonic narration and a twangy, guitar-driven instrumental soundtrack by The Sandals playing over the silent footage, Mike and Rob leave their California home to visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots in a search for the surfer's holy grail that Brown dubs "The Perfect Wave."

Director
Bruce Brown

Producer
Bruce Brown

Screenwriter
Bruce Brown

Distributor
New Line Home Video [us], Image Entertainment Inc.

Production Co
Bruce Brown Films

Genre
Documentary

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 15, 1966, Original

Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 23, 2014

Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 15, 2015

Runtime
1h 32m

Sound Mix
Mono, Stereo
Most Popular at Home Now
The Endless Summer | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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