Long Way Down: The Complete Series

Capitol Records (2007)

Adventure, Documentary, Reality
 /   / Color / 510 mins
5099921288791 
/     / 
In Collection
#441
7.6

Plot

After their fantastic trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics Ewan Mc Gregor and Charley Boorman couldn't shake the travel bug. And after an inspirational UNICEF visit to Africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth. And so they set off on their 15,000-mile journey with two new BMWs loaded up for the trip. Joining up with producer/directors Russ Malkin and David Alexanian and the Long Way Round team, their route took them from John O'Groats at the northernmost tip of Scotland to Cape Agulhas on the southernmost tip of South Africa. Riding through spectacular scenery, often in extreme temperatures, Ewan and Charley faced their hardest challenges yet. With their trademark humour and honesty they tell their story - the drama, the dangers and the sheer exhilaration of riding together again, through a continent filled with magic and wonder.

Cast

Ewan McGregor Himself
Charley Boorman Himself
Russ Malkin Himself
David Alexanian Himself
Claudio von Planta Himself
James Simak Himself
Asia Mackay Herself
Long Way Down
Eve Mavrakis Herself

Crew

Director
Russ `Malkin
David Alexanian
Producer David Alexanian , Russ Malkin

Episodes

Disc 01

1
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines
60 mins  28/10/2007
Three years after circumnavigating the globe together, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman undertake another overland motorcycle adventure, this time from John O'Groats to South Africa. After spending months planning their route, Ewan breaks his leg only weeks before the departure date. To make matters worse, it begins to look doubtful that the team will be granted visas for Libya. Nevertheless, they make their way up to John O'Groats to start their epic adventure.
2
Scotland to Italy
60 mins  04/11/2007
Continuing their motorcycle adventure through France and Italy, Ewan and Charley are running out of time. To make matters worse, news arrives that the American crew members can't get visas for Libya and will have to skip this part of the trip. The team have to cross the problematic Tunisia/Libya border two men down. They are racing to get to Aswan, Egypt, in time to catch the weekly ferry that will take them down the Nile into Sudan.
3
Italy to Libya
60 mins  11/11/2007
After trying to sleep through a sandstorm, the team lose their enthusiasm. Riding with zero visibility, it's unsafe for them to continue, but it's even more dangerous for them to camp on the roadside. Finally arriving safely in Egypt, the team are reunited with the Americans. Catching the Aswan ferry, they cross the border into Sudan and into sweltering heat. Eventually making it to the UNICEF project in Ethiopia, Charley and Ewan are starting to love Africa - just before Ewan has a fall.
4
Libya to Sudan
60 mins  18/11/2007
The team make it to Addis Ababa for their well-earned break. With morale at an all-time low, the boys do some soul searching to decide if their trip is worth continuing. They decide that it is - but in Kenya, Claudio's bike breaks down in bandit country. Terrified at the thought of another packet dinner, the team make a unanimous decision to slaughter a goat for supper. More disaster follows when soft sand makes it difficult to stay upright. When the terrain finally changes, it causes even more problems. Instead of a nice smooth tarmac road, the team are faced with the nightmare of a huge muddy river. If they can't get across, they will have to turn back.

Disc 02

5
Sudan to Ethiopia
60 mins  25/11/2007
After several hours of struggling, the bikes and cars finally cross the muddy river. Ewan sees his first wild zebra, and in Northern Uganda, Ewan and Charley have an emotional day. Visiting their second UNICEF site, they hear the harrowing stories of former child soldiers. The team then race to cross the Rwanda border before it shuts, but Ewan's mind is elsewhere: once they pass through Tanzania he can see his wife, Eve, who is waiting at the next border.
6
Ethiopia to Kenya
60 mins  02/12/2007
Epic motorcycle trip. Reaching Malawi, Ewan is ecstatic to finally meet up with his wife, Eve. They travel to their last UNICEF site, meeting families affected by AIDS. That night they camp in a small village in Zambia, sharing their packet dinners and stories around the campfire. On to Victoria Falls, where Charley bungee-jumps off the bridge. Charley and Claudio collide on the motorway in South Africa, but against the odds they arrive safely in Cape Town. After 85 days and 15,000 miles, the trip is complete.
7
Kenya to Rwanda
60 mins  08/12/2007
Charley and Ewan visit a UNICEF site, where they meet former child soldiers, entertain locals with their bike stunts and venture into the Rwandan mountains.

Disc 03

8
Kigali to Malawi
60 mins  15/12/2007
The team gate-crash a wedding and meet the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, who shares his story as a refugee. Later, Ewan and his wife Eve are reunited after two months apart.
9
Malawi to Botswana
60 mins  22/12/2007
Ewan's wife Eve joins the team for this leg of the journey, as they visit a crocodile farm and share a camp fire and baked beans alongside local tribesmen. In Malawi, Ewan and Charley see first hand how UNICEF are helping children in the area. Later, Charley decides to do an 111-meter bungee jump.
10
Botswana to Cape Town
60 mins  29/12/2007
The boys are on the home stretch but their journey is still rife with danger. Ewan has a close call with a charging elephant and cameraman Claudio takes a tumble. When they reach their final destination, Cape Town, the team is overjoyed.

Edition Details

Edition Special Edition
Series Long Way Down
Release Date 24/06/2008
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio Widescreen (16:9)
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 3

Features

Disc 03 Photo Gallery

Images

Poster
Backdrop