Sahara parents guide

Sahara Parent Guide

Overall B

Based on an adventure story by author Clive Cussler, the heroic duo Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConoughey) and his life-long pal Al Giordina (Steve Zahn) set out to find a lost boat and sunken treasure--and end up in the Sahara saving the world.

Release date April 7, 2005

Violence C-
Sexual Content A-
Profanity B
Substance Use B-

Why is Sahara rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Sahara PG-13 for action violence.

Parent Movie Review

History is hot in Hollywood. In the cyclical nature of movie making, past events, both ancient and recent, are showing up as the basis for several scripts. In this case, adventure author Clive Cussler’s heroic duo Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConoughey) and his life-long pal Al Giordina (Steve Zahn) are about to save the world while searching for hidden treasure.

Dirk and Al have day jobs working as salvagers for the National Underwater and Marine Agency. Under contract from governments or private industrialists, the company retrieves sunken treasure. But after hours, the two adventurers have their own personal quest to uncover the remains of a mysterious Civil War battleship that vanished at the end of the American conflict. Encased in iron, the ship reportedly crossed the Atlantic Ocean and became a thing of legend.

Anchored in a Lagos port with his cigar-chomping employer (William H. Macy), Dirk catches wind of a curious find. It turns out to be a Confederate coin discovered near the Niger River. Borrowing his boss’s yacht and an extra crewman (Rainn Wilson), Dirk and Al head upstream to pursue the object.

Before they cast off, however, two doctors approach them from the World Health Organization. Eva Rojas (Penelope Cruz) and her coworker are tracking a rapidly spreading illness that appears to be originating in Mali. While they can’t get official sanction to travel to the African region, the physicians know time is of the essence and are willing to trek to the site on their own. Tossing their equipment into the boat, they hitch a ride with the men to the country’s nearest dock.

But Mali’s dictatorial leader isn’t willing to let treasure hunters or aid workers into his war torn land. Rallying his army, General Kazim (Lennie James) proves to be a formidable obstacle to the foreigners.

Still, the onslaught of military firepower, automatic weaponry and the gruesome effects of disease seem to have little effect on the two former Navy officers who utter the odd profanity when under pressure. Even when members of a convoy are ambushed and killed, Dirk and Al deal with the intensity of the moment and then move on with a kind of “aw shucks” attitude and a “can do” spirit that keeps them thinking on their feet. Relying on an implausible amount of savvy, they mingle with the local natives and outmaneuver their pursuers while finagling their way out of one unbelievable predicament after another.

The larger-than-life action heroes never take themselves too seriously and neither does the plot. Although the storyline introduces some grave themes of suspected genocide and plague-like epidemics, it chooses to focus more on the friendship of the two buddies and their swashbuckling antics in the Sahara.

Starring Matthew McConoughey, Penelope Cruz, Steve Zahn.. Theatrical release April 7, 2005. Updated

Sahara Parents' Guide

What are the laws concerning buried artifacts? Who owns them once they are uncovered? Do treasure hunters play an important role in finding and preserving antiquities from the past or are they simply destroying historical sites?

Dirk Pitt has a passion for the ironclad Texas. What is your special interest? Would you be willing to go to the lengths Dirk does to pursue it?

What responsibilities do international agencies like the World Health Organization have in countries around the globe? What kind of support can they give the local citizens? Should aid workers be sent in during times of volatile warfare?

To find the facts about Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, check the CIA World Factbook.

Author Clive Cussler is an expert on marine and maritime history and collects antique automobiles—two elements within this movie. Read more about him on this page.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Sahara movie is August 29, 2005. Here are some details…

This DVD release lets you dig deep into the dusty background of Sahara, by listening to the commentary of Director Breck Eisner and Actor/Executive Producer Matthew McConaughey. You’ll also discover four deleted scenes, as well as be able to explore the featurettes—Across The Sands of Sahara, Visualizing Sahara, and the Cast and Crew Wrap Film. The widescreen version (enhanced for 16:9 TVs) brings the sights and sounds of the desert to life, with audio tracks available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital 2.0) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0). Subtitles are offered in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

Following clues from America’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Gates is on the hunt for hidden fortune in National Treasure. Heading for the Middle East, cowboy Frank T. Hopkins plans to pit his mustang Hidalgo against a herd of Arabian horses in a 3000-mile race across the desert.