August can mean a lot of things depending on where you are in your life, especially if you live in the northern hemisphere. For most kids, it’s the last few weeks to hang out with your friends, go to the pool, or take a family vacation before the school year starts. For many adults, it’s a great opportunity to sneak in some PTO, catch a summer movie, or go camping. And for the adults with kids, August is the home stretch of juggling summer camps, play dates, and weekend family getaways. But for some, August doesn’t have to end, especially if you’re a career surfer.
Back in 1964, filmmaker Bruce Brown grabbed some cameras, piles of film, and a couple of surfer pals and globetrotted their way from beach to beach. This month on The WALT, we’re talking about The Endless Summer.
The Endless Summer (1966)
Directed by Bruce Brown • 1h 35m
It has been said that there are six different types of documentaries. A poetic documentary relies on visuals to evoke certain emotions from its audience, but doesn’t typically have spoon-feed a general thesis. Instead, imagery and music take the viewer on a journey, rather than context. An expository documentary relies on narration to inform the audience of a particular perspective. These often use historical stock footage and photos, rather than film shot specifically for the doc. Participatory documentaries usually blur the line between the documentarian and their subjects. In these docs, the filmmaker has a set agenda and is typically attempting to insert themselves into the film to support their thesis. Quite the opposite, observational documentaries have a more fly-on-the-wall approach. They are unbiased chronicles of real events as they are happening. A form of documentary filmmaking that’s about the filmmaker’s process of making a film is called a reflexive documentary. These films often go beyond that process and focus on a different subject matter, but the making of the film is clear and present. Performative documentaries showcase the filmmaker’s perspective and typically include them as a major element. Perhaps they are seeking a truth about themselves and are choosing to be vulnerable on camera for the benefit of the film. A perfect example of a performative doc is our May, 2024 pick, Origin Story.
But I would posit that there is a seventh type of documentary. Maybe we can come up with a name for it together. The Endless Summer features narration by Bruce Brown about the experiences of two surfers (Mike Hynson and Robert August) chasing wave after wave, but he also inserts subjective his own viewpoints. The camera represents his eyes, he tells the audience how he knows each surfer, and even explains who wrote the music playing in the background. He also finds moments to have fun with the audience, creating witty scenes or sharing a quip about something happening on camera. Brown also inserts his perspective on the native peoples he, Mike, and Robert encounter in Africa, which isn’t always acceptable by 2024 standards.
WATCH THE TRAILER
It feels especially appropriate to look back at surf culture from the 1960s and see how far its come. At the release of this post, the 2024 Olympic Games are well underway and it’s the 2nd Summer Olympics to feature competitive surfing. I wonder what Bruce Brown would have to say about the sport’s lasting legacy. Unfortunately, Bruce passed away in 2017, just three years before an Olympic gold medal would be awarded for surfing.
How to watch The Endless Summer
The Endless Summer is available to stream with the following subscriptions:
Rent or buy on these platforms and more:
Amazon - $3.99 to rent, $9.99 to buy at the time of this posting
Apple - $3.99 to rent, $9.99 to buy at the time of this posting
Google - $2.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy at the time of this posting
It is currently available on the following free streaming platforms:
Hoopla - free with library card
Kanopy - free with library card
Vudu - free with ads
Tubi - free with ads
Plex - free with ads
Crackle - free with ads
Things to think about while watching the film
Where would you go on an endless summer?
What elements of Bruce Brown’s commentary impacted you the most?
The Endless Summer influenced generations of surfers to hit the waves - what movies have you seen that inspired you to try something new?
What would you call this type of documentary?
Have you surfed before? Tell us about it in the comments!
How to engage
Either leave a comment here with your thoughts on the film, using the above prompts for inspiration. Using the Substack app? Check out the Notes & Chat section. Be sure to read what other people are saying and continue the conversation!
PERKS FOR ALL!
This month, I’ll be sharing a video interview with Blake Kasemeier, a surf enthusiast and social media personality who was inspired by The Endless Summer to grab a board and challenge Poseidon.