Review of Surfin Shorts

Introduction

Filmed around the time he was travelling around the world following the "Endless Summer", this is a collection of three shorter movies from Bruce Brown.

They include probably the first domumentary/advert for surfing clothes, a video about skateboarding! and a TV programme about surfing that includes the first footage of surfing in Japan (Endless Summer stylee)

Video

Oooh nasty. The three features vary a litle but they are all fairly ropey with vertical lines on the screen and lashings of "this was made cheaply in 1962" type effects.

Despite that, the cinematography is pretty good, the guys ride their boards well, the surf is high and everything is nicely shot, making it relaxingly watchable.

Audio

Mono and somewhat crackly, the sound further adds to that "this was made a long time ago" feeling, with all speech, even the surfers, sounding rather contrived and stilted (but I guess they just spoke like that then).

Features

Nothing really, just an interactive menu and the movies.

Conclusion

Very typical Bruce Brown, with a slight twist.

The atmosphere is straight out of 1960`s California and is a great look at the "rebel" society as was in those days.

Yes, quality of both picture and sound leave a lot to be desired but this is still a quirky, entertaining piece.

One for the serious surfer. (not the silver surfer)