Mike Hynson and Robert August were among the world's best surfers in the mid-1960s. Bruce Brown was a surfing enthusiast with a few largely unseen films on the sport. The three became legendary when Brown followed the two Californians around the world, filming their quest for the perfect wave in THE ENDLESS SUMMER. Brown captured his subjects hanging ten in their home waters as well as in Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Africa, and New Zealand.

While the surfing footage is amazing, what truly sets this study of the sport apart from its brethren is the larger questions posed in the athletes' search. As they move from ocean to ocean, Hynson and August seek deeper meaning in their lives and come to a spiritual understanding of their purpose on the waves. The thoughtful protagonists also challenge the stereotype of the brain-dead surfer dude. The laid-back guitar sounds of the Sandals, along with Bruce Brown's own wry narration, provide a relaxed soundtrack for this landmark film. It was followed almost 30 years later by ENDLESS SUMMER II (1994), featuring a new generation of surfers.

Theatrical release: 1966

THE ENDLESS SUMMER was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2002.

Bruce Brown's trip following his surfing subjects lasted approximately three months.

Despite the extensive traveling, the film was made for approximately $50,000.

Nearly nine miles of 16mm film were originally shot.

Before the final cut was blown up to 35mm, the film was screened at West Coast surfing venues with Bruce Brown providing live narration.

Bruce Brown's previous surfing films used light jazz scores. Upon hearing guitar band the Sandals, he asked them to provide the soundtrack. The "Theme from Endless Summer" is one of the cinema's most identifiable instrumentals.

DVD Features:

Region 0
Snap Case
Full Frame - 1.33

Distributor Notes: The greatest surf movie ever made. "On any day of the year it is summer somewhere in the world..." Go with Robert August and Mike Hynson as they follow the summer season to Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii and California in search of the perfect wave. Still the ultimate surf film of all time!

Source: Image Entertainment, Inc.

Robert August: 
Mike Hynson: 

Bruce Brown: Producer/Director/Writer