Bustin' Down the Door
Directed by Jeremy Gosch (95mins)
Review By Linda Overly
While there are countless athletes all over the world, there are few who become paid professionals and an icon in their chosen sport. As told in the surfing documentary Bustin' Down the Door, six young men achieved both ambitions shredding the astounding waves of Hawaii in the winter of 1975.
The film contains magnificent footage of massive 20 to 35 foot waves and the intrepid, seamless rides of some of the best surfers ever to step into the Pacific Ocean. The heartfelt interviews of the men who were once exuberant lads are stories of their endless fervor with surfing that forever remains ingrained in their souls. This feature will resonate with anyone who knows their own true essence yet against the odds follows their path regardless of adversities that may be placed before them.
The dynamic crew included Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew, Peter Townend, Ian Caims, and Mark Richards of Australia, as well as Shaun and Michael Tomson, cousins from South Africa. These extremely confident young surfers began crafting their distinctive styles during childhood and would later revolutionize their greatest passion in life.
In the years following 1975, 'Rabbit,' Richards, and Shaun Tomson won top surfing titles and prize money, and were considered by many the preeminent and the most influential surfers in the world. Within the next two decades, the result of the group's crusade would eternally alter both the sport and culture of surfing into a multi-billion industry. This transformation, however, did not happen smoothly nor overnight.
A significant display of this fact is the conflict between the Aussie and South African surfers, and the Hawaiian locals. The brazen and aggressive nature of the surfers came across as disrespectful and arrogant to the locals, and many felt they took advantage of the island. Friction mounted between the young crew and a group known as the Black Shorts. While the intense climate eventually dissolved, violent acts and death threats did occur.
Bustin' Down the Door is an exceptional story beyond the evolution of surfing. It is a fantastic journey of young pioneers who woke up every morning not in search of the perfect wave, but instead just jumped in the water and fearlessly conquered nearly every wave using both skill and style, despite any risk including death. With perseverance and relentless pursuit of their fantasies, their triumph paved a silken avenue for the next generation of surfers.
As the way it should be, today's young surfers are paying respect to their predecessors by stepping up and riding the unpredictable waves of the world, keeping the dreams of these surf legends alive and well.