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11/04/2005 - Honda outboards get their big screen debut in 'Sahara'

Can Honda 4-stroke outboard engines power an American Civil War battleship?
The answer, in the world of film, is yes.

In late 2003, Honda provided four BF225s and two BF130s to the producers of the feature film 'Sahara', on UK release from April 8.

These outboards powered a salvaged World War II ship, or the 'CSS Ironclad 'Texas' as it is known in 'Sahara', during the film's crucial opening battle sequence. The skirmish, supposedly one of the last of the American Civil War, is fought on the James River, Virginia, USA. Yet the filming took place on our very own Horley Lake in Fleet, Hampshire.

"It took eight weeks to set up the six engines on the 'Ironclad'," explains Kevin Davis of Farnham-based Honda dealership Pacer Marine, which provided technical assistance to the 'Sahara' team. "The logistics were difficult as the boat weighed 140 tonnes and was constantly being moved around and altered. Eventually we set up the four 225s at the stern and the two 130s at the bow, one on either side. The 'Ironclad' then travelled at about four knots so the filming took some time. I think the production team shot 36 hours of film which translates into just three minutes of screen time!"

The two BF130s then travelled with the 'Sahara' crew to a reservoir near Marrakech, Morocco, a double for the Niger River in Mali, where they powered two enemy patrol assault crafts. These take centre stage in one scene alongside a heavily disguised Hunton Gazelle 43. The heroes use the 800hp Gazelle to outrun the two 130hp boats - hardly a fair match! The'Sahara' producers then spectacularly voided Honda's industry-leading 5-year warranty by blowing up one of the patrol assault crafts - a technical situation that even Pacer Marine could not resolve.

Six Honda BF200s did even more travelling, moving from Hampshire to both Morocco and southern Spain where they powered the six Bombardier RIBs used as filming stations for on-water shots. In addition, ten small support tenders were powered by portable Honda outboards including four BF5s, two BF10s and four BF15s.

"All of the Honda outboards operated without fault during the filming which helped keep us on schedule," comments 'Sahara' producer Stephanie Austin who also produced 'Terminator 2' and 'True Lies'. "In addition, the cast and crew were impressed by the engines' fume-free, whisper-quiet, professional performances."

"We're pleased but unsurprised that the 'Sahara' producers chose Honda outboards for their action-packed on-water filming requirements," says Jeff Dodds of Honda. "It's good to know that it takes a crew of experienced Hollywood pyrotechnics to destroy one of Honda's bullet-proof outboard engines."

If you're too caught up in the action to note the Honda engines' big screen debut, you can wait for the film credits which list both Honda (UK) and Pacer Marine. Alternatively you can wait for the "Making of?" DVD, released later this year.

'Sahara' is based on the novel by Clive Cussler and stars Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn and Penelope Cruz. It sees master explorer Dirk Pitt(r) (McConaughey) take on the adventure of his life when he embarks on a treasure hunt through some of the most dangerous regions of West Africa. Searching for what locals call the 'Ship of Death', a long lost Civil War battleship which protects a secret cargo, Pitt and his wisecracking sidekick (Zahn) use their wits and clever heroics to help Doctor Eva Rojas (Cruz), when they realise the ship may be linked to mysterious deaths in the very same area.