A man in a red vest and blue shorts surfs through the barrel of a wave with his arms out in front.

Bustin’ Down The Door Q&A with Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew

  • Cinema
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 120 minutes Subject to change
  • Seating map

A groundbreaking Australian film that captures the moment surfing changed forever

United States | 2008 | English | Documentary | M

Bustin' Down the Door is a landmark documentary that chronicles surfing's transformation from counterculture pastime to professional sport—and it's considered one of the most important surf films ever made.

Narrated by Edward Norton, the film centers on the winter of 1975, when a group of young surfers from Australia and South Africa—including Shaun Tomson, Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Ian Cairns, Mark Richards, and Peter Townend—descended on Hawaii's North Shore with radical new techniques and brash attitudes that contrasted sharply with the traditional Hawaiian approach. Their bold confidence and self-promotion led to intense cultural clashes, turf wars, and eventually death threats. Despite the hostility, they persevered, knowing their audacious style would revolutionize the sport of surfing forever.

This screening is followed by a Q&A with Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew.

Presented by Sydney Opera House and Tracks

Event details

Amazing wall-to-wall footage.

New York Times

An insightful account of the rise of a new wave of surfers that transformed the sport in the mid-1970’s.

The Hollywood Reporter

Cast and credits

Director Jeremy Gosch
Narrator Edward Norton
Featuring Peter Townend, Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson, Ian Cairns, Wayne Bartholomew, Michael Tomson, Tom Curren, Kelly Slater
Music David Bowie, The Stooges, Eels, Leonard Cohen and Them Terribles

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Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Playhouse

The Playhouse is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

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