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Dirk (Matthew McConaughey) and Al (Steve Zahn) have been friends since kindergarten, having also gone through college and the Navy together. The two now work for a former admiral traveling around the world and salvaging treasures from the sea with the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA). In his spare time, Dirk is obsessed with the 150-year-old mystery of the Texas, an Ironclad battleship that reportedly disappeared from Richmond, Virginia during a Civil War battle and turned up in Africa. When a Confederate coin--allegedly one of only five minted--surfaces in Mali, Dirk and Al plan to travel there from Lagos, Nigeria on the admiral's yacht to investigate. Meanwhile, in Lagos, Dirk meets Eva (Penelope Cruz), a doctor for the World Health Organization (WHO) who believes that there is a plague building in Mali. Since the WHO is unable to find another way into the war-torn country, Dirk and Al give Eva and her colleague a lift up the river. Once in Mali, Dirk, Al, and Eva quickly find themselves embroiled in trouble as she pursues the source of the disease. Meanwhile, Dirk and Al search for the Texas.Based on a novel by Clive Cussler, SAHARA is a rollicking thrill ride through exotic locales, including everything from high-speed boat chases to helicopter pursuits to jeeps racing through the desert to camel rides. A warlord and a greedy French businessman prove to be formidable villains for the trio. McConaughey fits the bill as gentleman and adventurer Dirk, while Zahn holds his own as likeable sidekick Al. Cruz is feisty as independent Eva. Director Breck Eisner's theatrical feature film debut also features William H. Macy as the admiral.
CASTING? Forget accuracy! Let's go "box office"!!!
This director/producer team's choices of casting flew in the face of the descriptions of the four main characters of every Dirk Pitt novel. They went cutesy as opposed to accurate. While the motion picture is quite good as a goofy adventure, it could have been SO much better had the casting gone more serious.
I have read that Clive Cussler had approval of the casting choices but I have a feeling he made those decisions with teeth gritted, understanding the nature of Hollyweird's motivation. (read "Q-rating").
I am a huge fan of Cussler and the Dirk Pitt adventures but they deserve SO much better a treatment than they're receiving.
It reminds me of the casting of Ben Affleck in the role of Jack Ryan in Clancy's books-to-movies. THAT REALLY p***es me off!
Clive Cussler is on th top of my list for fictional adventure. I have purchased all of his books and this current DVD. I am aware of his personal concern about Movie producers. His first book, Raise the Titanic, was in his opinion a disaster. His book, Sahara, was the first book i read. Then I wanted more and begin to find each book. EBay came later and helped me locate the rest. Which is where I purchased my own DVD of Sahara.
The DVD differs from the book in several areas. The boat episode differs from what I recall from the book. But the key point was that they tried to condense a very well written book into a very short time. I personally give them thumbs up for their overall production.
In the introduction of the World Health Organization's Doctors to the very capable Dirk Pitt and NUMA. We are led on a wild chase into a foriegn and forbidden territory of greed, corruption, and a near World Disaster. Nothing that Dirk Pitt( Matteh McConaughey) could not handle with the aid of child-hood friend and partner, Giordino (Steve Zahn), whom together they take on all the bad guys that are intent on doominating good people; like Dr. Eva Rojas ( Penelope Cruz.
Along with the dubious attempt to give a short view of the writings of Clive Cussler. The movie also brings into view some of the challenges of being in the Middle East. It shows great detail of the corruption that is possible and most importantly it gives the final detail of each of Dirk Pitts endings when Dirk and Eva find themselves in Monterry Bay at the .... You need to read the book and see the Movie. I really believe you too, will be a Clive Cussler convert.Read full review
Features Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz, William H. Macy & Steve Zahn
Running Time:123 Min.
Rating:PG-13
Dirk Pitt is a modern-day, treasure-hunter. With the experience of serving in the Navy under his belt, Pitt joins the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) with childhood pal Al Giordino (comic relief Steve Zahn) as they search for artifacts and other historically-important trinkets under the dime of Admiral James Sandecker (William H. Macy). Dirk has been long searching for an ironclad Confederate ghost ship that was lost at sea towards the end of the Civil War, and the recovery of a Confederate gold coin off the coast of Mali delivers his first clue in years.On his way to Africa, Dirk saves the life of a World Health Organization doctor (Penelope Cruz) after she is attacked by a group of mysterious soldiers on the beach. The doctor is investigating a possible plague that is swatting the African population, and the main source of the disease is originating from none other than Mali. How incredibly convenient for the pair of buddies to team up with the beautiful girl, but the evil General Kazim (Lennie James) isn’t going to let the trio of troublemakers ruin his plans for world domination without sending a few thousand troops to thwart their efforts.
Action-packed movie, will keep you glued to your seat!Would recommend to rent or buy!Hope this helps you decide!Thanks for reading! :)Read full review
This is one of the best, most action-packed CLEAN movies produced in a while. Full of excitement and intrigue, the good doctor is trying to figure out why an epidemic is spreading and no one else cares to investigate. Trying to find the answers leads down a highly dangerous road. The world's oceans are being endangered. The two key male characters are best buds from their military days, and they trade funny comments back and forth, even in the face of danger. This movie ranks high with me because there are NO indecent women, NO bedroom scenes, NO bathroom humor - it's just a great movie, great for the family. Nothing offensive here - just an easy-to-follow plot, likeable characters, and a decent ending. What more can you want?
I was interested in the DVD as I read the book by Clive Cussler and it was an excellent story. Before purchasing, I read one of the other reviews to make sure that there was nothing objectionable in the DVD - language or sexual content.
Guided by the other review, I purchased the DVD. It was an excellent buy. The film followed the book very closely and except for a couple of vulgar words, there was no cursing or sex scenes.
Both my husband and I enjoyed the DVD immensely and if there are more movies made from Dr. Cussler's books, and are of the same clean content, we will be making more purchases.
If you like films along the lines of Indiana Jones, then this DVD is for you. The action is fast and the story moves along quickly. It is refreshing to view
a film that we wouldn't be ashamed to show our children or grandchildren.Read full review