"Sahara" is an action-adventure film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Clive Cussler. Released on April 8, 2005, the movie was directed by Breck Eisner.
Synopsis:
Dirk Pitt, an adventurer and marine engineer, embarks on a quest to find a fabled Civil War battleship, the "Ship of Death," which is believed to have been lost with a secret cargo. Alongside his sidekick Al Giordino, Dirk travels to Africa where they discover a link between the ship and a mysterious epidemic threatening the continent.
As they unravel the mystery, they face various challenges, including a corrupt African warlord and a French industrialist. The duo, with the help of Dr. Eva Rojas, must prevent the epidemic and find the lost ship.
Cast and Characters:
- Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt: A charismatic explorer and adventurer determined to find the lost Civil War battleship.
- Steve Zahn as Al Giordino: Dirk's loyal friend and partner in their adventures.
- Penélope Cruz as Dr. Eva Rojas: A World Health Organization doctor who joins Dirk and Al in their quest, while also investigating the source of a dangerous disease.
- Lambert Wilson as Yves Massarde: A French industrialist with dubious intentions.
- Lennie James as General Zateb Kazim: A corrupt African warlord who poses a threat to Dirk and his team.
Where to Stream
United States (US):
There are currently no streaming offers in the US.
- Stream: fuboTV, Paramount+ with Showtime, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Showtime Apple TV Channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Showtime Amazon Channel, Showtime
- Buy: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand, Spectrum On Demand
- Free: None
Australia (AU):
There are currently no streaming offers in the AU.
- Stream: None
- Buy: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Fetch TV
- Free: None
United Kingdom (GB):
There are currently no streaming offers in the GB.
- Stream: None
- Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, Chili, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Rakuten TV
- Free: None
Germany (DE):
There are currently no streaming offers in the DE.
- Stream: MagentaTV, Filmtastic Amazon Channel, Filmtastic, Film Total Amazon Channel
- Buy: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Videobuster, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Free: None
Brazil (BR):
There are currently no streaming offers in the BR.
- Stream: None
- Buy: Amazon Video
- Free: None
Spain (ES):
There are currently no streaming offers in the ES.
- Stream: SkyShowtime
- Buy: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video
- Free: None
France (FR):
There are currently no streaming offers in the FR.
- Stream: Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
- Buy: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Canal VOD, Bbox VOD, Amazon Video
- Free: None
Canada (CA):
There are currently no streaming offers in the CA.
- Stream: None
- Buy: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Cineplex, Microsoft Store, YouTube
- Free: None
Production Details:
- Director: Breck Eisner
- Producers: Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, Mace Neufeld, and Stephanie Austin
- Screenplay Writers: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John C. Richards, and James V. Hart
- Filming Locations: The movie was primarily filmed in Morocco and Spain, capturing the vast desert landscapes and vibrant cities. One of the challenges during production was filming in the harsh desert conditions.
- Budget and Box Office Performance: The film had a budget of approximately $130 million and grossed over $119 million worldwide.
Reception and Awards:
- Critical Reception: "Sahara" received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its action sequences and the chemistry between McConaughey and Zahn, others criticized its plot inconsistencies and deviations from the source material.
- Audience Reception: The movie had a decent reception among audiences, with many enjoying it as a fun, adventure-filled ride.
- Awards and Nominations: While the film didn't win major awards, it received a few nominations for its technical achievements.
Trivia and Fun Facts:
- Book Adaptation: "Sahara" is one of the many novels written by Clive Cussler about the character Dirk Pitt. The film adaptation, however, took several liberties with the source material, leading to Cussler expressing his dissatisfaction with the final product.
- Stunts: Matthew McConaughey performed many of his own stunts in the film, adding to the authenticity of the action sequences.
- Controversies: The film's production was marred by legal disputes between Clive Cussler and the film's producers over script approvals and other creative controls.
In conclusion, "Sahara" offers a blend of action, humor, and adventure set against the backdrop of the African desert. While it may not have been a massive hit critically, it remains a fun watch for fans of adventure films.