The Endless Summer

Director: Bruce Brown (1966)

Cast: Mike Hynson, Robert August

Documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown, himself a competition-level surfer filmed surfers Michael Hynson and Robert August on an around-the-world surfing adventure. Brown narration and a twangy, guitar-driven instrumental soundtrack by The Sandals playing over the silent footage opened all sorts of doors for other later documentaries.

Hynson and August left California to visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots in a search for the surfer's holy grail that Brown dubs "The Perfect Wave."

Fun Fact: Brown knew nothing about making a film and went to the library read a book on a plane ride over to the film location, saying "I never had formal training in filmmaking and that probably worked to my advantage"