Deserto di fuoco (1997): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1997, Deserto di fuoco is an adventure film directed by Enzo G. Castellari, running about 270 minutes.

What it’s about. A helicopter crashes in the Sahara Desert. The entire crew are killed - only a small infant miraculously survives. Emir Tafud, who has no children of his own, brings the child up as his successor. When Ben is 25 years old he decides to set off in search of his true parents. In Casablanca he meets French crook Jacquot, who takes him with him to Monte Carlo. They both actually manage to find Ben's mother Christine. She tells Ben that his father was a scientist on a secret mission to Africa. Christine wants Ben to stay in Monte Carlo and take over her firm, but Ben has his heart set on living in Belem with his adored Amina. But now Ben gradually unearths a dreadful secret: Christine's second husband François was responsible for the death of his father, who had discovered valuable minerals in the Sahara. After a bitter struggle, Ben finally succeeds in saving his homeland from Western greed.

Who’s in it. Deserto di fuoco stars Anthony Delon as Ben, Mandala Tayde, Arielle Dombasle as Magda Lassalle and Marie Laforêt as Rahma, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 9.5/10, Deserto di fuoco sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Deserto di fuoco page.

If you liked it. Fans of Deserto di fuoco tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception, Interstellar and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.