Looking Back at Two Classic Films

A shark diver reflects on 'Endless Summer' and 'Blue Water, White Death.'

Blue Water, White Death came out in 1971 and Endless Summer came out in 1966.  While I'm not old enough to have seen them when they came out, It's been several decades since I first watched these films.  Today, as a shark diver who has looked deeply into the topic of shark culling, it's interesting to realize I either didn't think twice about the connection to shark culling in these two films.

It's also interesting to consider speciesism in these films and how our feelings toward whaling may have changed, how using a harpooned mammal for a film shoot might be criticized today, and seeing these shark experts needlessly kill sharks with bang sticks. 

Opening credits for Blue Water White Death

The footage of whales being harpooned in Blue Water White Death was quite graphic

Capturing footage of a white shark in 1971 was a new feat

Durban Harbor in 1971, where slaughtered whales were hauled in daily

Admittedly, I'm uncomfortable criticizing such a wonderful, and seemingly innocent film as 'The Endless Summer'.  However, the shark information given in the film is quite damaging.  Telling the audience there is a 50/50 chance you'll be killed by a shark if you don't swim at a netted beach is not only misinformation, but a promotion for the ecologically devastating company, The Natal Sharks Board. 

Skyler Thomas reflects on the films Blue Water White Death and Endless Summer in his shark podcast