It took five years of work to complete the eight episodes of the new series Rai 1 Sandokan, starting tonight in four evenings. The hero created by Emilio Salgari (1862-1911) in the first novel of the Malaysian cycle, published in 1883. The last novel, the eleventh, Yanez’s revengewas released posthumously in 1913, two years after the Veronese author’s death by suicide.
More than the comparison with the adventure novels that have made generations of young readers dream, the Sandokan directed by Jan Maria Michelini and Nicola Abbatangelo has to deal with the 1976 television drama, directed by Sergio Sollima, who remained in the public imagination linked to his performers: by the Indian Kabir Bedi as Sandokanto the trusted friend Yanez who had the face of Philippe Leroy, from the sweet features of Carole André in the role of Marianna, the pearl of Labuan, to the evil Lord Brooke, an actor of the caliber of Adolfo Celi. Marianna’s candor and sweetness.
There are many curiosities about one of the most beloved heroes of literature and his television adaptations.
To play the Malay Sandokan after the Indian Kabir Bedi was called the Turkish Can Yama, 36 years old, star of Turkish soaps and Italian TV series. To get into the role he lost ten kilos, strengthened his muscles with hours in the gym and improved his skills as a horseman, swordsman and boxer.
The production employed a fixed crew of 150 people, 2,500 special figures and 2,000 extras. All for a total cost of 30 million euros.
In both versions, A completely new actress was chosen for Marianna. In this case the English Alanah Bloor, fresh out of acting school.
No filming in Malaysia and no offshore sailing – most of the series it was filmed in Lamezia Termethe surroundings of Rome, Tuscany, with a small incursion into the island of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean. Digital did the rest
No Colonel Fitzgerald: the red-coated soldier who follows Marianna like a shadow, at least he should, is Sergeant Murray, played by John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral).
To interpret Yanez Alessandro Preziosi stated that he was inspired by Daniel Day Lewis’ character in Gangs of New York.
In 1901 only two out of five Italians knew how to read, but Salgari’s novels, on average two or three a year, sold between 80 and 100 thousand copies each. The author, however, received paltry compensation, and was forced to go into debt to support his family.
To refresh your memory or see it for the first time, the Sandokan from 1976 is available on Rai Play
For other curiosities, the book has just been released On the trail of Sandokan by Danilo gallo (Molteni).
