thewhale's top surf movie picks

thewhale
Apr 18, 2016
3 min read

The surf movie genre is a minefield. There are some truly great films out there, from documentaries to travelogues, from arthouse to blockbuster, but finding the good ones can be tough when you have to sift through an ocean of dross. Anyone can get a camera these days a make a surf movie, but to make a good one takes great skill. So here is a list of what thewhale thinks are the good ones:

Classics

Crystal Voyager (1973)

An awesome film that will introduce the novice to the freedom the ocean can bring and the genius of George Greenough.

Full Version Here:

Morning of the Earth (1971)

A magical film that documents, amongst other things, the discovery of Uluwatu in Bali, back in the day. Made by Australian Albe Falzon. Here is that Bali scene:

Endless Summer I and II (1966 and 1994)

Just pure and utter surf stoke all the way. The original surf travelogues. Once you've seen them they are the sort of movie you watch all through your life. These movies and Bruce Brown have probably done more to influence the world of surfing than anything else.

Trailer ESI here:

Full movie ESII here:

Five Summer Stories (1972)

A touch of the Old School. This, largely set to music footage, captures a turning point in surf history. One for the purists. Great footage of Gerry Lopez.

Trailer Here:

Modern Greats

Dogtown and Z-boys (2001) A fascinating award winning documentary brought to you by Stacey Peralta about the infamous Z-boys skate team, who grew up surfing in Santa Cruz California.

See the trailer here:

Bustin' Down the Door (2008) This award winning movie by Jeremy Gosch documents the early beginnings of professionalism in surfing; it is emotive and engaging and every surfer should watch this as a part of their education. There would never have been an ASP or the WSL without the Aussies and South Africans Bustin' Down the Door.

See the trailer here:

Flow (2006)

This is the story of Channel Island Surfboards and Al Merrick, undoubtedly one of the greatest shapers in the sport. It's a fascinating story and an award winning documentary often overlooked.

Watch the trailer here:

Step into Liquid (2003)

A great movie brought to you by Dana Brown, the son of Bruce. A sort of modern Endless Summer vibe that searches for the soul of surfing and looks into its origins.

Full movie here:

A Deeper Shade of Blue (2011)

A pretty solid history of surfing. It is billed by Jack McCoy, who made it, as the accumulation of 45 years of surf filmmaking. It's comprehensive and a great homage to the sport.

Trailer Here:

Riding Giants (2004)

Another great surf documentary from Stacey Peralta; this time his lens is pointed at the art of Big Wave Surfing.

Full movie here:

Arthouse

Glass Love (2006) Australian Filmmaker Andrew Kidman makes great movies and Glass Love is one of the most beautiful surf films I have seen. The opening sequence is Daize Shayne cross stepping in silhouette in a shimmering silver light. Check out that sequence here:

Thicker than Water (2000)

Jack Johnson's homage to the surf travelogue genre shot on 16mm with all of his mates...Kelly, Rob etc. Awesome movie.

Trailer Here:

Singlefin Yellow (2005)

Shaper shapes board in the USA and then sends it to a friend and tells them to pass it on. Great concept and a great surf film. Made by Jason Baffa.

Trailer here:

Rio Breaks (2009)

A documentary that looks at surfing in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The focus is on getting favela kids to focus on surfing as a positive in their life. Clever, good, honest filmmaking on a budget.

Here is the trailer:

Believe (2007)

A beautiful look at the soul of Australian surfing. An inspiration to us all!

Trailer here:

One California Day (2007)

This movie perfectly captures what it's like to be a Californian surfer! Shot in 16mm format and brought to you by Jason Baffa, who made Singlefin Yellow.

Trailer here:

Blockbusters

The Big Wednesday (1978)

A great cinematographic experience. A coming of age story with the Vietnam War as the great leveller, and divider, of America's youth in the early 70s. Brought to you by John Milius of Apocalypse Now and Dirty Harry fame.

Here is the trailer:

Point Break (1991)

Often billed as giving surfing a negative image and painting surfers in a bad, aggressive light, but really just a great movie with some fantastic lines. The recent remake did not hit the right spot at all.

Here is the trailer: