Watch Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days

Name: Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days
Genre: Travel
Released: 1990-01-07

1990
1 Season

Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days is a travel documentary series that originally aired on BBC in 1989. The show follows former Monty Python member, Michael Palin, as he attempts to travel around the world in 80 days, following the journey of fictional character Phileas Fogg from the 1873 Jules Verne novel, "Around the World in Eighty Days."

The series consists of seven hour-long episodes, each highlighting a different leg of Palin's journey. The first episode takes place in London, where Palin sets off on his journey from the Reform Club, the same location where Phileas Fogg begins his adventure in Verne's novel. From there, Palin travels through France, Italy, and Greece, eventually heading to Egypt where he experiences the sights and sounds of Cairo.

Continuing on his journey through the Middle East, Palin travels through Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Bahrain before heading to India. While in India, Palin explores the bustling streets of Bombay before traveling to the deserts of Rajasthan and the forests of Madhya Pradesh. He also visits the Taj Mahal in Agra and stops by a tea plantation in Darjeeling before heading to Southeast Asia.

In Southeast Asia, Palin travels through Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore before heading to Hong Kong and then Japan. In Japan, Palin experiences a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and visits the city of Hiroshima, which was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945.

The final episode sees Palin heading back to London, with only a few days left to complete his journey. He travels from Japan to Alaska, through the Yukon and across Canada, before finally making it back to Britain. The journey ends with Palin arriving at the Reform Club and completing his journey around the world in 80 days.

Throughout the series, Palin not only explores the sights and sounds of each location but also delves into the history and culture of the places he visits. He speaks with locals, tries new foods, and even takes part in local customs and traditions. The series also shows the challenges of traveling, including instances where Palin struggles to get visas or has difficulty with transportation.

What sets Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days apart from other travel shows is Palin's charm and sense of humor. His witty commentary and interactions with locals bring the series to life and make it an enjoyable watch. In addition, the series was groundbreaking at the time of its release for its use of technology, including satellite phones and satellite video feeds, to document the journey in real-time.

Overall, Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days is a classic travel documentary series that still holds up today. It's an entertaining and informative look at the world and the people who inhabit it, all while following in the footsteps of a classic literary character.

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Seasons

7. Dateline to Deadline

February 18, 1990

It has taken Michael 58 days to reach the International Date Line. He has only 22 days to complete the second half of the circumnavigation, with the Pacific, United States and the Atlantic still to be crossed. Delays, misunderstandings and a suspect bomb all conspire to thwart Michael and the outcome remains in doubt as the clock hands edge nearer to the fatal hour.

6. Far East and Farther East

February 11, 1990

Michael leaves Shanghai bound for Yokohama on a mysteriously empty Chinese ferry. The Pacific represents his last chance to stay in the race. After a hilarious night out in fun-filled Tokyo, Michael finds a vessel which will take him to California in 10 days. He finds that crossing the International Date Line is something the circumnavigator does at considerable peril.

5. Oriental Express

February 4, 1990

Michael's connection in Hong Kong, has already sailed, but speeding through the roads of Singapore brings him to his first mega-size container ship. He spends the next few days dodging three typhoon systems in the South China Sea before arriving in Hong Kong. Michael pauses long enough to be savaged by a cockatoo before hurling himself across China by train, in the hope of catching up some time.

4. A Close Shave

January 28, 1990

After eight days of sailing, a weak Michael Palin is propelled into big-city India. He's behind his fictional rival but forges ahead to Bombay, Poona, Madras - and then a juddering halt. Only two ships sail out of Madras, the first doesn't leave for at least three days and the second has no room for passengers. Undeterred, Michael persuades its Yugoslav master to hire him as a deckhand.

3. Ancient Mariners

January 21, 1990

Michael tries to buy time and drives across Arabia in 40 hours, only to find in Dubai his toughest challenge. He proposes to sail to Bombay on a primitive, sail-assisted vessel without radio, navigation aids, life belts or electricity, with a crew of Gujarati mariners who barely speak English. There's no accommodation either, and the circumnavigators must sleep on sacks of cargo on the deck.

2. Arabian Frights

January 14, 1990

Fate awaits Michael at the port of Suez on the Red Sea as he has left behind the modern conveniences of Europe. They cross safely, by train, camel and battered taxi, but in Suez the ferry to Jeddah is cancelled at the last minute owing to engine trouble. By the time Michael eventually sails, he knows he will miss a vital connection in the Saudi port.

1. The Challenge

January 7, 1990

Michael Palin optimistically steps out into the historic Pall Mall in London. He aims to return to this very spot in 80 days having circumnavigated the globe. He will follow the route of Jules Verne's fictional hero as closely as possible, travelling by land and sea but, never by air. All begins well but modern air travel has destroyed nautical travel and decimated the global rail lines.

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