Last Surfer, The (Blue Pictures) Review

Distributor: Blue Pictures Edition Details: Collectors Edition DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Gay, Drama, Barely Legal Run Time: 63 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1983 Director: Toby Ross Written by: Toby Ross Cast: Michael Christopher, Daniel Holt, Jeff Folger (as Jeff Folger and Jeffrey Folger), Tony Roco, Paul Camrose (as Paul Camrose and Paul Cambrose), Tad Ryan, Stefen Peach, Kathi Stewart, Steve Douglas (as Broderick Sterling), Claudette Folger, Jake Scott, Dan McQuish Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

The Last Surfer was the last shot on film that gay hardcore adult film director Toby Ross made before he switched over to shot on video productions. Toby Ross made The Last Surfer as a sister film to his earlier film Cruisin' 57. Cruisin' 57 looked at the coming of age of gay men during the 1950s whereas The Last Surfer looks at the coming of age of gay men during the end of the 1960s.

The Last Surfer doesn't have a plot per se; the film is more of a series of similarly themed vignettes with the same characters throughout, or snapshots of one period of time if you prefer. The Last Surfer is a series of sex scenes showing the senior year of several friends on the eve of Paul (Paul Camrose) and Toosh (Stefen Peach) going to fight in the Vietnam War. While this is going on, Clinton (Jeff Folger) comes to realize he is attracted to his friend Ace (Michael Christopher) who is dating Linda (Kathi Stewart).

Toby Ross has done a nice job of emulating the end of the 1960s in the look of the film, despite the fact that not everything is 100 percent correct. The clothing that the cast wears and the vintage cars used in the film help the feeling of time that the film takes place during. The vintage music selection by Bill Landis seals the deal allowing the viewer to fully believe this took place in the 1960s.

Despite the turmoil that was to shortly follow at the beginning of the 1970s over the Vietnam War, The Last Surfer keeps a light feel infusing humor into the film. The cast does a good job with their limited roles. All of the pieces come together well to create an enjoyable film to watch. Fans of the genre and fans of Cruisin' 57 will want to check this film out.

Blue Pictures has done a decent job with their DVD release of The Last Surfer. The Last Surfer was shot on film and while at one point a film master was used, this release came from a video master. The Last Surfer is presented in the Academy aspect ratio of 1.33:1 in 480i. The image contains glitches in the video, artifacts, print damage, and grain. The colors in the film are decent but look faded in places. The video quality isn't horrible but also isn't wonderful.

The Last Surfer is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. The audio quality is decent. The dialog can be a little low in volume but is understandable at all times during the film presentation.

The only extra that Blue Pictures has included on the release is a photo gallery.

The Last Surfer is a lighthearted and humorous sequel of sorts to Cruisin' 57. Director and writer Toby Ross has created an American Graffitiesque look at the late 1960s where gay individuals are highlighted. The Last Surfer doesn't have a true story to it, however, the music, costumes, and cars make the film feel vintage and The Last Surfer makes for an enjoyable watch. Blue Pictures has done an acceptable job with their DVD release of The Last Surfer with acceptable video and audio quality.

Past Reviews Interviews