Did you know the Antarctic Desert is the largest desert in the world? Yes, that bleak, desolate landscape of ice and more ice. But when we think of deserts, we tend to think of bleakness, yes. Desolation, yes. But we usually think of the very dry and the very hot: a place rife for drama, a place that makes a perfect setting for movies and series.
Desert Rose, set in the semiarid desert of Namaqualand, is delivering plenty of searing drama as the characters squint and glare their way through the region’s punishing climate and their own emotions boiling to the surface. The local series joins a fine trove of remarkable desert-set stories that have burnt their way into fans’ memories. Before we get carried away with more hot metaphors, let’s take a look at some of the most remarkable desert-set movies.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
When you think “movie set in the desert” you may think of the sun beating down on sweeping panoramas of shifting sand dunes. That is exactly what this classic film delivers in its epic telling of the true story of the title character, a British soldier whose loyalties are torn between his homeland and the Arab tribes he fights alongside in the desert. Shot in Jordan, Morocco, and Spain, the cinematography is further proof that shooting in the desert is a burning opportunity for sumptuous visuals. It’s little wonder then that the film was nominated for (and won) an Oscar for Best Cinematography, Color in 1963. It was nominated for a total of ten Oscars, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif’s career-defining performances as Lawrence and Sherif Ali.
The Dollars trilogy (1964 – 1966)
The other thing you might think of when recalling desert-set movies is lonely towns, cowboys, and standoffs. This famous trilogy from director Sergio Leone offers them all. Given Desert Rose’s Western influence, these movies had to be included on our list. Consisting of A Fistful of Dollars, For A Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, the trilogy is a stalwart of the spaghetti Western genre and produced one of cinema’s most iconic characters in the form of Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name, not to mention a most memorable score by Ennio Morricone. Standing in for the arid vistas of the American West – the site of so much blood, sweat, and dollars – is the Tabernas Desert in Spain.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Desert adventure does not have to be action-fuelled or pistol-packed. It can be funny too and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is one of the finest examples. It follows two drag queens and a trans woman on a road trip across Australia en route to a gig. For all its colour and humour, the film also wears its heart on its sleeve as their trip sees the friends dealing with hostility and prejudice along the way, while also dealing with grief and loss. Filmed in New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, Priscilla has prompted many to take their own Aussie road trip, visiting locations showcased in the film.
The Mummy (1999)
Comedy, action, adventure, camels, treasure! This film has it all. Set in Egypt (but filmed in the Sahara Desert), it’s a fun and frightening romp through the desert led by Brendan Fraser’s cocky Rick and Rachel Weisz’s smart but scatterbrained Evelyn, all while being pursued by the mummified Imhotep played by South Africa’s own Arnold Vosloo. The film was such a success it led to two sequels, a prequel (boasting Dwayne Johnsons first starring role, which he debuted in the first sequel), and an animated series.
Gerry (2002)
As far as arid and desolate landscapes go, Gerry is filled with them from frame to frame. Filmed in Argentina, Death Valley, and the Utah Salt Flats, it’s inspired by the true story of two friends who got lost in a desert in New Mexico while hiking. Gerry follows along the same lines, offering the same fate to two friends, both named Gerry, played by Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. Following the actors on a tortuous, largely uncut trek through the desert, it’s a tough watch, made even more so by its bleak ending.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
We end as we began: with epic desert adventure across wind-swept dunes. Filmed in the Namib desert this was director George Miller’s triumphant return to his popular franchise that started in 1979 with Mel Gibson as the title character. This instalment, the fourth in the franchise, starred Tom Hardy as Max and became a box office smash hit, also walking away with six Oscars. A sequel, focusing on Charlize Theron’s character Furiosa (and taking its title from her name), has started filming in Australia. Following a younger Furiosa, Anya Taylor-Joy – who has been making waves in movies and series – has been cast in the title role.
Watch Mad Max: Fury Road on Showmax.
Watch Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch and Split on Showmax.
Return to the desert this Thursday at 20:30 with the next episode of Desert Rose. Catch up on any episodes you’ve missed with DStv here.