Original comment for the video version (written 14 December 1999): This is one of my absolute favorites (together with Koyaanisqatsi).
The first part is a documentary about the surfing experiences of George Greenough and his friends which lets us dive deeply into this amphibian life and philosophy.
George shows us how he concentrates all his efforts on to his main aim: to reach shores where the wave conditions are optimal for surfing and to improve his technique of filming from his board (a short one on which he is kneeing to get stable pictures). Beautiful images of his leisure time activities (surfing, boating, sailing, fishing...) with well fitting music interrupt these work descriptions.
The second part is the result of all his efforts: simply breathtaking pictures of ocean waves forming walls and tubes and his movement through this tube which is lightened by the sun and the sky in the most beautiful and strangest colors you can imagine. Together with the music of Pink Floyd (Echoes from album Meddle) this has a quite big addiction potential.
Added comment for DVD version (14 September 2005): In comparison to the video (I got a copy somewhat out of focus), the DVD is perfectly sharp. Finally the interesting story behind the deal between George Greenough, David Elfick and Pink Floyd is told in the bonus material. The only disadvantage to the video is a too abrupt cut between part 1 and part 2 ("echoes") of the movie (even the fade out of the last music title of part 1 is damaged by that cut).
The first part is a documentary about the surfing experiences of George Greenough and his friends which lets us dive deeply into this amphibian life and philosophy.
George shows us how he concentrates all his efforts on to his main aim: to reach shores where the wave conditions are optimal for surfing and to improve his technique of filming from his board (a short one on which he is kneeing to get stable pictures). Beautiful images of his leisure time activities (surfing, boating, sailing, fishing...) with well fitting music interrupt these work descriptions.
The second part is the result of all his efforts: simply breathtaking pictures of ocean waves forming walls and tubes and his movement through this tube which is lightened by the sun and the sky in the most beautiful and strangest colors you can imagine. Together with the music of Pink Floyd (Echoes from album Meddle) this has a quite big addiction potential.
Added comment for DVD version (14 September 2005): In comparison to the video (I got a copy somewhat out of focus), the DVD is perfectly sharp. Finally the interesting story behind the deal between George Greenough, David Elfick and Pink Floyd is told in the bonus material. The only disadvantage to the video is a too abrupt cut between part 1 and part 2 ("echoes") of the movie (even the fade out of the last music title of part 1 is damaged by that cut).