The Secret of the Sahara

The Secret of the Sahara is an Italian television miniseries directed by Alberto Negrin and broadcast in 1988 in four episodes of approximately 90 minutes each. A version comprising seven approximately 50-minute episodes also exists. Produced by RAI, ZDF, Televisión Española and TF1, a condensed version was later shown in cinemas. It takes its main inspiration from the books of Emilio Salgari with some elements from Pierre Benoit's Atlantida. Plot In 1925, an American archaeologist, Desmond Jordan moves to Africa, seeking the "Speaking Mountain". This brings him into the middle of the Sahara desert, where he meets some deserters from the French Foreign Legion. Jordan escapes with Orso (Bear) from a siege by Ryker, a lieutenant of the battalion, and moves towards the mountain. Ryker and El Hallem, the head of the local tribes, pursue Jordan, who has gone blind while approaching the mountain. The lieutenant gives vent to his violence, murdering some locals and sparing only their queen, Anthea. Later she cures Jordan's blindness and, together with a redeemed El Hallem, helps the archeologist to defeat Ryker. Eventually, Jordan helps Anthea and Orso discover the secret of the mountain. Cast Michael York – Desmond Jordan James Farentino – Caliph of Timbuktu Ben Kingsley – Sholomon Andie MacDowell – Anthea David Soul – Lieutenant Riker Miguel Bosé – El Hallem Daniel Olbrychski – Hared Diego Abatantuono – Orso Delia Boccardo – Yasmine Ana Obregón – Tamameth Radost Bokel – Parizade William McNamara – Philip Jordan – Kerim Mathilda May – Myriam Jean-Pierre Cassel – Major De Brosse