Bustin’ Down the Door Review

“Bustin’ Down the Door” lives up to its name. It’s a surfing documentary that goes beyond the typical great waves and tropical backdrop fare of other surf docs. This is the story of a group of young surfers from Australia and South Africa who came to the North Shore of Oahu in the winter of 1975 and changed surfing forever. You don’t have to be a surfer to be drawn into this film because a compelling story is a compelling story. These guys came into surfing when there was no pro tour. No career to be had. So they brought new boards and an aggressive style that put everyone on notice. For me it is always interesting to see the infancy of something. Because it is like drinking a big fat cup of motivation. Just when you think it’s a “New Era” type story, you are punched in the face. I love “Dogtown” and “Z boys” but this film goes way past that. The brash young haole’s (Hawaiian term for white guy, like gringo or cracker) winner takes all attitude insulted and made the Hawaiians really angry. Suddenly it gets scary and dangerous. Fist fights and death threats from local gangs turn the island surf fantasy into a powder keg. The emotion is still there 30 years later as the interviews go from carve it up to sleeping with shotguns. That is what makes a great doc. Take the audience to a sub-culture and see its inter-workings and the raw emotion that goes with it. Powerfully stoic narration by Edward Norton and 70’s era music puts the whole picture together. I like it when the music in a doc reflects the thinking of that time without getting in the way and telling me how to feel. I was inspired and shaken by this film. Inspired by the creation of something from nothing and upset by the violence surrounding a sport that has become a way of life for me. Inspired again by the noble peacemaking actions of a Hawaiian surf legend. “Bustin’ Down the Door” makes you understand both sides of the bad violent blood that was created on the North Shore in the 70’s. I understand more how the Hawaiians feel about surfing. How it is not just some recreational hobby akin to riding Jet Ski’s like so many beer guesling yahoos do every weekend on their local lake, but the sport of Kings that is to be treated with respect. Surfing has changed my life and this film gives you a look into that world. The film shows how the pro surfing tour started along with the etiquette and behavior of a mystical sport that has been on the islands for over 1000 years. Watch this film if you have never surfed or surf every day, but especially if you are new to surfing. Kooks need to watch this before booking their first surf trip to the Aloha state. Limited release July 25. PALM STRIKE! —Graham Elwood