Les dompteurs du Pacifique

Am I to believe this film was written by someone called Josephine Napoleon? (Check the credits!). Then shouldn't it be set in Noumea not Hawaii? Oh ha-ha. In late 1964 my local cinema, The Empire Theatre ran this double feature...and I ask you to imagine the behavior among the teens present: RIDE THE WILD SURF + AND GOD CREATED WOMAN. Nothing like some French Art-house Brigitte Bardot to wet the, er, appetites of the surf crowd. Now on DVD RIDE THE WILD SURF plays well for a 40 year old surf film that tries to offer good surfing footage among the drama. I was pleasantly surprised at the well matched stunt footage to the cast (stunt surfers who actually looked like the actor..and wearing identical togs) but, oh dear, that back projection in the actors surfing scenes on the water..... (waving their arms about whilst swaying etc) ...still it all makes now-days for quaint fun. In Oz cinema audiences roar with laughter at scenes of American surfers sitting on their boards, arguing in dead flat water.. then some dude yells "Wave" and out of nowhere comes a gigantic set of pipeline breakers shot in some other country. This happens in this film and later in Big Wednesday from 1978. In fact these two films are very much alike with their three surf buddies storyline, the "Bear" guru board shaper guy (here called "Phil") and last reel big wave accidents and dramas. The opening of RIDE THE WILD SURF is a lame affair with dull tinny music over 16mm outtakes and TV style titling, but after a few minutes the film swings into gear and allows the three love interest gals to pick up the credibility in the acting stakes. Fabian is in believable shape for an Italian surfer (!) and each of the girls are 60s cute and rom-an-tic. Hawaiian locations are good and the usual Elvis movie family dramas are roped in for another try. See Robert Mitchum's son Jim play someone called Eskimo who wears bee stripe board shorts! (He's the taciturn bad dude)....

Ride The Wild Surf once again proves my notion that it is impossible to make a bad film in and about Hawaii the place is that beautiful. The story is not Academy Award stuff, but it's an easy to take story of three surfers who come to Hawaii to challenge what the film says are the best and most dangerous waves in the world.

The three guys are Fabian, Tab Hunter, and Peter Brown and in addition to waves the guys also find love on the island. Fabian is a young hotshot who rubs the rest the wrong way and they love seeing him wipe out in the first tests. His attitude also is a big impediment with a romance between him and Shelley Fabares.

Tab Hunter falls in love with Hawaii and Susan Hart and just wants to stay. But Sue's mom has a grudge against surfer bums, she married one who up and left her. She's not about to let that happen to her little girl.

And kookie Barbara Eden thinks that Peter Brown is a big old square and a poser. That's not going to get him anywhere and to prove her wrong he does some dangerous and foolhardy things. All these guys are looking to knock off champion surfer Jim Mitchum.

Also in the cast is Australian Olympic swimmer Murray Rose who would probably say that the waves on Bondi in his native country are more dangerous than anything Hawaii has to offer.

The title song sung by Jan & Dean will stick with you for some time after you watch Ride The Wild Surf. I think if you like beautiful people in bathing suits you'll enjoy this film.

Shoot the curl, man! Three hotshot surfers from Malibu hang-ten down in Honolulu; all find the usual quota of romance, teen competition, and gnarly waves. Director Don Taylor does competent work (as usual) and he gives the surf-sand-&-suntans material a little kick. Unfortunately, all the back-projection gives the film a cheesy, dopey look, which is incongruous to the seriousness with which it takes the sport of surfing. The youthful, beaming cast (most in their prime) are certainly a great drawing card, and Fabian, Tab Hunter, a blonde Shelley Fabares, Barbara Eden, Susan Hart, and surly Jim Mitchum all look terrific. An instant hit at drive-ins circa 1964, the movie features gorgeous location footage, but also a corny, unnecessary voice-over narration and far too much moony-eyed boy-girl drama. ** from ****

Good time parties and excellent surfing footage, plus a better than average script (involving most of the usual beach melodrama, except without the jealousy of AIP's beachers). The leads are all good looking, reasonably mature dialogue and a well-shared spread of characterization making them seem more mature and real than most beach "kids". Of course, many modern day fans of beach movies are looking only for derisive laughs, so they should probably look elsewhere -- because this is a more heartfelt, less light film.

Could have shown the way for some new stars -- but this hollywood brat club got mostly passed over.

The surf scenes are typical of the era. Back lot close-ups cut to real action scenes. Check out Greg Noll in the surfing cut scenes. He's in his signature black and white stripped shorts. I can't positively id red & yellow shorts; maybe Pat Curren, but that's speculation.

Only other thing I can't figure out about this movie is why does Jeanie (sorry, couldn't resist) think it's a good reason to purchase a rocket taller than her. That can't be a good idea. But, I guess she's wearing the proper protective bee-keeper suit. From same scene: "No one's allowed on the firing line with out an extinguisher (Hands them a cocktail)"