Yes, Lords of Dogtown is based on a true story about a group of young skateboarders who revolutionized the sport in the 1970s in Venice, California. The film is inspired by the documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001), which focuses on the same group of skaters.
What is the true story behind the movie Lords of Dogtown (2005)?
The movie Lords of Dogtown (2005) is based on the true story of a group of young skateboarders known as the Z-Boys from the Dogtown area of Santa Monica, California, during the 1970s.
The Z-Boys were a group of teenage surfers who, instead of riding the waves, took their surfing skills to the streets on skateboards, developing a new style of skateboarding that involved vertical maneuvers and aerial tricks. The team was made up of members such as Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, and Jay Adams, who became known as legends of the sport.
The movie portrays the rise of the Z-Boys from a group of friends hanging out at the local surf shop to dominating the skateboarding scene and becoming international celebrities. It also covers the team’s struggles with fame, money, and competing interests that led to their eventual split.
While the film takes some liberties with the storyline, most of the events depicted in the movie did happen. Several members of the Z-Boys, including Peralta, who was also a producer of the movie, were involved in its making to ensure its accuracy.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Lords of Dogtown (2005)?
Yes, there are a few books about the true story behind the movie Lords of Dogtown:
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Dogtown: The Legend of the Z-Boys by C. R. Stecyk III - This book captures the history and culture of skateboarding in Venice, California during the 1970s and features many of the real-life figures portrayed in the movie.
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All Hopped Up and Ready to Go: Music from the Streets of New York 1927-77 by Tony Fletcher - While not specifically about skateboarding, this book explores the music and cultural trends of the 1970s that influenced the Zephyr skateboard team, which the movie is based on.
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Pool Nation: America’s Obsession with Backyard Pools by Randal Mason - This book delves into the rise of backyard pools in California during the 1970s and how it inspired the creation of skateboarding as we know it.
These books provide a more in-depth look at the world and history of skateboarding, which is the foundation for the story told in Lords of Dogtown.
You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those