‘North Shore’ now available on Blu-ray

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's


The 1987 cult surfing movie, North Shore, is now available on Blu-ray. The film is not the best surfing movie, however it does have a large following and fans of the movie will be delighted with the Blu-ray edition.

The story is about the kinship that evolves between a teen surfer and a long-time surfer who takes him under his wing and teaches him about waves, surfing, and the way of the land, or I should say ocean. The photography is beautiful, taking viewers into the curl and on top of the waves.

Rick (Matt Adler), an artist, has grown up surfing in a wave pool in Arizona. After winning the local championship, he thinks he is good enough to tackle the waves in Hawaii. So off he goes, very naively, to Oahu where he thinks he can fit in with the rest of the surfers. He has no idea that surfing in a real ocean, let alone the big waves on the North Shore, is quite different from the surfing pool back home. He immediately learns that haolies, aka outsiders, are not welcome among the local gang of surfers. Turtle (John Philbin) is well connected and takes pity on the newcomer and befriends him. He knows the way of the islands and works at the local shape shack of Chandler (Gregory Harrison) who makes boards. His boards are the top of the line.

With the Banzai Pipeline competition around the corner, Rick decides he is ready for the challenge but he is in for a rude awakening. Chandler gives him room and board in exchange for Rick’s art expertise designing a new logo for the surfboards. Chandler has been surfing the big waves his whole life and knows all the ins and outs of how the waves break, etc. Soon he is teaching Rick, who becomes his protégé.

The thing about Rick is that the hotshot shredding of some of the pros impresses him. That is not what Chandler is all about. He is a soul surfer who surfs for the love of the sport, not with the intention of showing off or winning contests. Winning is not what soul surfers are in it for. They are only in it for the surfing. That is a lesson that Rick learns. Does he want to be a “shredder” or a “soul surfer?”

While in Oahu for the summer, Rick meets a local Hawaiian named Kiani (Nia Peeples). Their friendship turns into a full-blown romance. Will it keep him from returning to the mainland in the fall to attend art school? Will the lure of Hawaii and the big waves change his mind about becoming a professional artist and will he decide to try his luck at becoming a professional surfer?

The relationship between Chandler and Rick is touching. It is the heart of the film.

On a bonus feature Gregory Harrison acknowledges that his character of Chandler is the most like his real self. He grew up in Catalina and is still an avid surfer today. The bonus feature also reveals that the role of Kiani was recast and all her scenes were reshot with Peeples in the role. An alternate ending shows the original actor in the part, and it is no wonder that Peeples was cast to replace her. Also, the alternate ending is not as satisfying and enjoyable as the one that was ultimately used.

The movie features appearances by wave legends Gerry Lopez and Laird Hamilton and World Champions Shaun Tomson, Derek Ho and Mark Occhilupo. North Shore is a classic for fans of surfing and they who know every line. Move over Gidget and Moondoggie, Chandler and Rick are on the waves now!

North Shore is rated PG.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.