Surfing Films
Duuuuuude, These Are The Greatest Surfing Movies Of All Time
Olly Richards
The Point Break remake tries to capture the same wild spirit as the original this week (spoiler: it doesn't). Surfing is such a tempting sport to filmmakers, not just for the dramatic visuals it offers but for the fact that its participants seem exotic and fearless, and usually look good with their shirt off. If Point Break 2015 isn't the best way to watch surfing, these eight movies ride the wave much better.
Point Break (1991)
Well, obviously there was a reason it was remade. It's a blast. Keanu Reeves and his foggy delivery were made for surfer dude movies and he's at his best playing the cop who goes undercover to crack a group of daredevil bank robbers-cum-extreme surfers (that is just the silliest plot summary). It's made by Kathryn Bigelow's expert action direction and everyone being extremely serious about delivering absurd lines like "Back off, War Child, seriously" or "They only live to get radical".
Show Page 3
Big Wednesday (1978)
The cult surf movie. It's surfing as youth analogy, with three friends who want nothing but to ride waves finding that life and war catch up with them. It absolutely tanked on its original release, but it's picked up a following since. It's far from subtle and a bit overly convinced of its own importance, but God, it makes the surfing life look good.
Surf's Up (2007)
An animated movie about a penguin who dreams of becoming a surf champion. It's very funny, the voice cast is top-notch (Jeff Bridges doing another version of The Dude will always be a joy) and it looks astonishing. When you can paint whatever you like then you can make your surf sequences extraordinary.
Detroit Healthcare Workers 'Lose Themselves' In Eminem's Mom's SpaghettiRead More
Riding Giants (2004)
A terrific documentary about the origins of surfing, directed by Stacy Peralta, a professional surfer who was one of the inspirations for Lords of Dogtown (see next entry). Peralta gives an obsessive's view of the other obsessives who risk everything in pursuit of bigger and bigger waves. If you want to see what it's like to really be a surfer then this is the one to watch.
Lords of Dogtown (2005)
Columbia Pictures/TriStar Pictures
As mentioned in the previous entry, Lords of Dogtown tells of a group of surfers turned skateboarders in the 1970s. When mild weather kills the surf at Venice Beach, a group of committed surfers start applying their skills to skateboarding and become celebrities as they begin to win contests. Director Catherine Hardwicke makes a film that's constantly on the move and alive with youth. It becomes less and less about surfing but that's where it grows from.
Maybe not surf-centric, but it takes place on the shores of Hawaii and there's a whole lot of surfing going on. And it's an extremely cute movie, probably better than you remember. That weird blue alien is adorable.
Blue Crush (2002)
It's a little cheesy but it's never aiming to be anything other than a fun, surf movie, which it absolutely is. Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) works as a maid and looks after her abandoned younger sister, but she dreams of winning the big surf contest. You ride to your dreams, Anne Marie! The surf sequences are genuinely good, Bosworth is a gutsy lead and it's unique on this list for actually featuring women in the leads. (There are other female-driven surf movies, e.g. Soul Surfer, but not very good ones)
The Endless Summer (1966)
Cinema V/Monterey Media
The title refers to the quest of two men, Mike Hynson and Robert August, to continually chase the summer and the best waves around the world. Its loose, unhurried style is perfect for conveying the nature of your typical surfer and the photography makes you want to get out on the water, even if all you're capable of doing is bobbing about.
Fit Friday: Kick the Weekend Off With a Free 'Full Body Pump' That Anyone Can DoRead More
We Picked Out the Best of Netflix's Foodie Entertainment Options
6 Things Idris Elba's Characters Have Taught Us About Manhood
Stop Bashing Cinematic Universes – They've Led To A Golden Age Of Blockbusters
Win £500 Of Grooming Products By Entering Our Live By Night Competition