The making of Lords of Dogtown

A drought in 1970s Southern California has an unexpected side effect: as people empty their swimming pools, a group of teen surfers from the Dogtown area of Venice Beach move in with skateboards, and a new sport is born. Based on a true story, this film follows "Z-Boys" skate team members Stacy Peralta (John Robinson), Tony Alva (Victor Rasuk) and Jay Adams (Emile Hirsch), plus manager Skip Engblom (Heath Ledger), as their fearless "pool surfing" leads to fame, fortune -- and misfortune.

[KelleyBroussardMackaig]

So much love and respect for this movie. For the actors, producers, directors, creators, and most especially for the OG Lords... The Z-Boys who lived, breathed and dominated Dog Town and the epic era they launched. They are often emulated - but could never possibly be duplicated. #MadRespect

[flipjohnson]

Seeing jay laughing and smiling with his old boys at the dog bowl really hit me in the feels R.I.P Jay Adams

[corcho]

The fact that the actors learned to actually skate pools is something to respect...

[flukefrags]

I really miss Heath. Such a great fun actor.

[TBNEx]

This movie was so well done. Congratulations to everyone involved. You made a classic skate movie that is going to live on forever.

[CamAteUrKFC]

It's wierd, my dad, who grew up skateboarding in the 70s felt nostalgic when we went to theatres and saw this. Now I feel nostalgic watching this thinking of all my friends and how we used to just skate until the lights at the park turned off. The subtle heat coming from the concrete filling the cool air. The smell of weed and the laughter. Always trying to one up each other but never putting each other down. I miss those times and those people. Life has become very lonely. That was back in the early/mid 2000s.

[shaka-surf]

Heath Ledger did an amazing job with his portrayal of Skip. RIP.

[lisawalker]

They did such a great job on this movie . its the most authentic movie I've ever seen where you really feel like your there in the 70s

[dirtydave]

This is a great movie. I grew up in So Cal in the 70s and skateboarding exploded around 75. The clothes, hair and everything were pretty damn accurate. Looks like they had a pretty good budget for this movie. Well done.

[J-fy]

Tried not choke up when Jay and Biniak saw each other at the end, RIP to both!!

[melissamissingchriscornell]

Just the fact that these 3 young actors learned to skate at the Alva/Peralta/Adams level is MIND BLOWING, & you do not get more of a realistic portrayal of the Z-boys/Dogtown era than this. As another commenter quoted #MadRespect

[Witzomania]

I love this! Born in 1960, lived in LA my whole life, surf/skate culture! What a masterpiece! Congratulations to everyone!

[christimko]

Tears running down my face the whole time... grew up during this time... so many memories

[flowersmile]

I remember watching this movie in the theater. And it played a number on me. I actually found a fond interest in skateboarding. I loved cruising on my board, feeling calm, happy, free and alive. Skating was a great stress reliever.

[maloneaqua]

The crazy part is so much of this movie was my childhood on the west coast - 30 years later the vibe isn’t exactly the same but it’s still there

[machine]

Being taught to skate by the great Tony Alva, Most of the skaters I know would die for such and honor.
Awesome video, really takes me back.

[mbsanocki]

Lords of dog Town is one of my favorite movies of all time. I still watch it a bunch. Kinda makes you feel like you were there with them.

[abbott]

I was very lucky to have grown up in that era of skating and surfing in So. Cal. Even tho me and my friends were not part of Dog Town we skated alot of the same spots as those guys. The Fruit Bowl stands out as well as the school yard banks in Glendale. Times were good back then.

[lunaquinonesdeleon]

This movie raised me, I would see it almost every day as a kid and skate on old school skateboards trying to push myself to be better. I’m right know pursuing a career in surfing, I’m truly grateful to these amazing skaters and artists. Rest in peace Jay Adams.

[teeup]

This was great!!!! YouTube is waaay behind sending this to me but I’m glad they did. RIP Jay. Really glad he turned his life around and got to live a happy life.