This documentary is about two surfers by the names of Robert August and Michael Hynson who travel the world in search of a warm climate and good surfing. After leaving California at the end of summer they fly to the west coast of Africa and then eventually head to various other locales such as South Africa, Australia, and Tahiti to mention just a few. During this process the viewer is shown a multitude of waves and some surfers who attempt to ride them. Now, if one were to really love surfing I have little doubt that they will certainly enjoy this film. On the other hand, those who might be curious due to the high rating and want to see what this documentary has to offer might not be so enthused. Personally, I thought this film was somewhat interesting at first but after an hour of watching one wipe out after another it seemed to get rather tedious—and this included some of the bigger waves toward the end. Again, those who enjoy the sport of surfing will definitely want to watch this documentary. Those who don't might just want to leave it alone.

The Endless Summer has some of the greatest art work posters ever printed in the 1960s. The film is only interesting when the scenery is depicted, minus the narration and the horrible soundtrack.To surf all over the world strikes one as a waste of time, and it proves to be a waste of time, except for the African episodes, which show the "natives, as they are called, bored with the whole thing after a while.The racism in this film is so blatant that it looks like the KKK may have produced it.The South African "observations" on the Zulu are unconscionable, and this is a 1966 film, Viet Nam time, and Martin Luther King was talking about the horrors of apartheid. Women are treated as pure sex objects,and yet the two stars never date or seem interested in girls. Enough said there.Not good, but relevant for those who wonder where Coppola got his inspiration for surfing madness in "Apocalypse, Now," where Robert Duvall in combat in Vietnam is having certain military surfing experts try to find the "perfect wave."while drugged to the hilt. Somebody saw what was going on in The Endless Summer...sheer madness with guys who have had lobotomies.

I recently saw this movie for the first time. I must admit I hadn't heard of it until I saw the poster at a local taco place. I'm usually not one for surfing movies, but I fell in love with it. It was refreshing to watch a documentary that was so well done, and without the use of special effects. Just a basic film camera and a couple of guys surfing the world. Bruce Brown's narration was spectacular, and the surfing was amazing.I think the best part was that the surfing was real. It wasn't done on a set with some green screen behind it. The people were actually out there on the waves.I will definitely watch this movie again.

Just get the DVD and settle into your favorite chair, add some pals, a few kids, some snacks and a drink and you have the complete setting and the perfect film for 90 minutes to make you delighted with life for the next 90 days. I first saw the ES in 1964 when Bruce Brown came to Australia and would hire old cinemas on a night they were usually closed. He ran the film silent and spoke the narration over the microphone live in the theater! The word of mouth of this film was 100% as the entertainment value... and in a city thronging with teen surfers desperate to see their sport on a real movie screen, this film projected in 16mm in a crumbling 2500 seat suburban theater (struggling to stay open) was a joyous hilarious revelation that has us kids and older pals living the dream ourselves at our local beaches. This is a perfect piece of family entertainment and you are encouraged to get it see it show it and keep it to remind yourself at what fun life can be. It is a life reaffirming experience and we are all the richer as humans for having it in our lives. The only other two films I feel this strongly about, and they are so different as films... are the 30s musical ROBERTA and the new documentary THE BALLET RUSSE. A short film called THE RED JACKET is equally strong and humanist... each of these films will do for your senses and heart to elate you beyond your wildest wishes. The music score for THE ENDLESS SUMMER by the pop group the Sandals (!) is equally unforgettable. It is worth buying as a CD when you get the DVDs of The Endless Summer, Endless Summer 2 and other Bruce Brown comedy surfing documentary valentines.