Madness in the Desert: The Paris to Dakar Story

"Brilliant story brilliantly told"

In 1977 French motorcyclist Thierry Sabine was in serious trouble, lost in the Libyan Desert and dying from thirst. Whilst most men would weep and think back over their lives, Thierry thought about coming back - to do a rally across the Sahara Desert. The 9000km Paris-Dakar, the world's craziest race, was born. The rally became a beacon for eccentric adventurers battling the terrain in customised vehicles, seduced by the romance of the desert and the extreme challenge. It soon became a victim of its own rapid success, shrouded in controversy, overwhelmed by corporate interests, responsible for over 60 deaths and decreed vulgar by the Vatican. Finally, in 2008, this incredible event was brought to an end by terrorism. This is the story of the biggest motorsport event the world has ever seen and one of the greatest challenges of human endeavour ever conceived, from those that took part. How the West took on a landscape of incredible beauty and scale. And lost.

Loading countdown...

Fanalysis

2002

You're So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night

You're So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night

2016

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

2017

Buena Vista Social Club: Adios

Buena Vista Social Club: Adios

2017

Dina

Dina

2017

Chasing Coral

Chasing Coral

2017

The Fight for Saturday Night

The Fight for Saturday Night

2014

Alan Yates Uncovered

Alan Yates Uncovered

2005

Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole

Totem: The Return of the G'psgolox Pole

2003

Is the Crown at war with us?

Is the Crown at war with us?

2003

I Am Walker

I Am Walker

2016

Jackie Chan's Green Heroes

Jackie Chan's Green Heroes

2018

Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.2

Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.2

2006

Going Back to Xanadu

Going Back to Xanadu

2008

Tracy Morgan: Takin' It Too Far

Tracy Morgan: Takin' It Too Far

2023

Bella!

Bella!

2023

Where Eagles Fly

1984

Leonie, Skeet and the piglets

Leonie, Skeet and the piglets

2023

The Catskills

The Catskills

2023

One Love Volume 1: The Game, The Life

One Love Volume 1: The Game, The Life

2005