02.09.02
Michael
Palin's Sahara
VHS
and DVD released 14.10.02
Michael
Palin's passion for travel remains as strong as it was when he voyaged
Around the World in 80 Days, from Pole to Pole and Full Circle.
His newest challenge, to cross the Sahara desert, rediscovers the
spirit of exploration, as many of the countries he visits have remained
widely unseen before now.
Michael
said, "the Sahara desert is the size of the United States but
has the population of Norfolk. It is a place of magical appeal.
Although famous as a geographical location, its life, landscape
and rich history remain shrouded in mystery and I feel privileged
to have experienced some of what it has to offer. Yes, the travel
was at times difficult, but it was amply rewarded with new sights
and sounds, people, languages, food and customs."
There
is no easy way to cross the Sahara by land and Michael encounters
the same problems and difficulties that travellers have faced on
this epic journey for centuries. With the emphasis on interacting
with the people they meet along the way, the team is stretched as
they all undergo the arduous expedition.
The
voyage starts in Gibraltar, which is only 12 miles away geographically
from Africa. After a practice camel-ride on the beach in Tangier,
Michael moves on through Fez (spiritual capital of Morocco) and
Marrakech (tourist capital of Morocco), before entering the real
desert where the warmth of the Sahawari people, softens this inhospitable
land.
Crossing the Senegal River to the old French colonial capital of
St Louis, Michael leaves the desert behind and briefly savours the
delights of cosmopolitan Senegal: jazz clubs, wrestling competitions,
dance troupes and the Queen of the Senegalese soaps, Marie-Madeleine.
He endures two days and nights on the Bamako "Express"
train, and in the process gets to know a school mistress who is
nothing if not forthright about the disadvantages of polygamy.
Michael celebrates the "Tabaski" feast in the beautiful
city of Djenne before journeying down the Niger River after which
he wanders through the rubble that is 21st century Timbuktu. He
then moves on with cameleer Omar, who introduces him to the delights
and vicissitudes of life on the move. Walking 12 hours a day, eating
the odd sheep that has tagged along, Michael finally gets to grips
with the heart and soul of the desert.
After a brief diversion into Colonel Gadaffi's Libya he turns west
along the north coast past stunning and deserted classical sites
at Apollonia, Cyrene and Leptis Magna.
Just
along the coast is Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco's coast,
a little chunk of Fortress Europe in Africa and as such a magnet
for would-be immigrants whom he talks to before retuning to his
original starting point, Gibraltar.
The DVD features additional extras including many deleted scenes
which for the sake of conciseness, had to be omitted from the broadcast
series. There is also a dedicated commentary by Michael Palin, behind-the-scenes
footage and an exclusive interview with Michael about the trip.
Title:
Sahara
Price:
VHS: Β£15.99 DVD: Β£19.99
Catalogue no: VHS: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔV7321 DVD: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔDVD1170
Running time: 240 mins
Release date: 14 October 2002
Other
Sahara products released this month include an audio-cassette and
a CD on 7.10.02, available from good retailers and the .
A book of the television series has been published by Orion books.
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