Riding Giants

Riding Giants

By Stacy Peralta

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2004-07-09
  • Advisory Rating: PG-13
  • Runtime: 1h 41min
  • Director: Stacy Peralta
  • Production Company: Agi Orsi Productions
  • Production Country: France, United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 12.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7.6/10
7.6
From 44 Ratings

Description

From acclaimed director Stacy Peralta comes Riding Giants, the story of big wave surfing. Breaking the mold of traditional documentary filmmaking, Riding Giants uses its dynamic, cross-generational approach to profile the lives and times of the intrepid surfers who over the decades have dedicated themselves to finding and successfully challenging the biggest waves on earth. We meet Greg Noll, the pioneer, whose relentless push into Hawaii's big surf in the late 1950s earned him the nickname "The Bull." There's Jeff Clark, Northern California's lone frontiersman, who, after discovering the massive waves of Maverick's near San Francisco, rode there alone for over a decade. And finally Hawaii's Laird Hamilton, the prototypical "extreme" surfer, a rare breed of athlete/innovator considered as the best big wave rider who ever waxed a board. Through a fast-paced combination of mediums that include classic archival photography, spectacular movie footage - both current and vintage - and contemporary interviews with the sport's greatest surfers, experts and storytellers, Riding Giants captures the rich visual history of one of the most dramatic athletic adventures of our time. -- Sam George, Global Editor SURFER Magazine

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Reviews

  • Simply Amazing!

    5
    By USMC2621
    I have never surfed before, and at my age it's safe to say I never will. But, the surfing culture has always fascinated me. That is what led me to Riding Giants. It is simply the best documentary I have ever seen. Not the best surfing documentary, but the best documentary period. It's not only educational, it is inspirational. In today's world of conformity, it is refreshing to hear the stories of men who have lived life to the fullest and on their own terms. Even if you have no interest in surfing, I would highly recommend watching this. The scenery alone makes it worth it. And if you are not in awe when you see men surfing those gigantic waves, you should check yourself to make sure you still have a pulse.
  • Fantastic

    5
    By Nahoa
    I really love this film. I have trouble really putting a finger on precisely why, but I can watch it over and over and it feeds my soul. Strong statement, I know, but it really does. I lived a couple years in Hawaii as a child, so perhaps it's just a fond memories thing -- not that I was I surfer, not at all, but I was at a lot of those beaches and spent a lot of time watching surfers, body surfing, etc.. I'm not sure that's all of it, though. I think this film found a way to touch very directly on version of the American soul, both the reason and the way so many find a path here. Well, in any case, I highly recommend this. I come away from it refreshed and re-motivated to interact better with those around me, and it's "just" a story about big wave surfing.
  • AMAZING!

    5
    By daveu71
    I was very impressed with what Stacy did with the Dogtown story. When i saw the preview for this i had to see it! I was not disappointed. The pioneering big wave riders, and what they brought to surfing was phenominal. Stacy's direction, and ability to bring out the depth and emotion is awesome. I highly recommend this, and i hope Stacy takes on more film projects.
  • Absolutly amazing!

    5
    By Ur mother:!?:!;!:$&/!4!;&@/@!;('k€~€{¥£]>|€
    So far the most amazing documentaries I have. PERIOD.
  • Brilliant Documentary

    5
    By dmbs4
    Stacy Peralta's Riding Giants documentary on the history of big wave surfing is amazing! I was altogether unfamiliar with the subject prior to watching Riding Giants and Peralta did a wonderful job putting together so much history, historical footage, homemade videos, pictures, and interviews into a cohesive, entertaining narrative. Not only has it convinced me to buy Peralta's other docs but I've also taken up surfing as a result. Laird Hamilton is THE MAN!
  • Read this!!!!!!!!

    5
    By GunKru
    This was such a good movie my dad has it signed by him! Also get this my dad loved his surfing so much he named me Laird so my name is laird becaus of this amzing guy!!!!!
  • Perfect

    5
    By Cfitted
    Hands down an epic film worth paying 20 bucks for.
  • Insanely awesome

    5
    By MBreiner
    This documentary is amazing. It is my favorite documentary of all time and i believe it will be exceedingly hard to top this. Peralta does a fantastic job. It is fun, exciting, and wonderfully made. 5 stars in my book.
  • The entire theater stood and applauded

    5
    By RichardRay
    I live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Not a big surfing town, but a town where skill and commitment are held dear and where the forces that drive people to take risks as part of their recreation are well understood. When Riding Giants was shown here there were outbreak of applause throughout the movie and at the end the whole theater stood up and clapped, This movie will make NO SENSE whatsoever to some people, and it will define a particular worldview for others. If you even think you might be one of the second type of people, watch this movie.
  • Riding Giants Review

    5
    By juliekaye67
    This is one of the most moving things I have ever watched. I'm from Louisville, KY and have never surfed but this shows you what life is all about. I could watch this a million times over and it wouldn't get old. The music in this docu is out of this world. I highly suggest watching this, even if you are not into surfing. It trancends it's own topic. It's a metaphor for life!

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