Clive Cussler's "Sahara" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Africa

When the movie begins, it is 1865, just a week before Robert E. Lee's surrender. The Confederate Navy ship, the CSS Texas, is being loaded in Richmond, Virginia. After moving to the present, the plot and action revolve around sites across North Africa, in the great desert, until the closing scene.

Answer: Matthew McConaughey

McConaughey's acting career began in 1991, and most of his movies, with the exception of "A Time To Kill" are romantic comedies. He is a very believable Dirk Pitt. Dirk Pitt is a well-known adventurer; his exploits have been featured in publications all over the world.

Not only is he intelligent, he also posseses charm and confidence. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (in the books he graduated from the Air Force Academy), and distinguished himself during his time of service in the Vietnam War.

He loves the sea, but does not limit his interests to his job. The recent discovery of a Confederate gold coin in Africa has renewed his curiosity about what happened to the CSS Texas.

Answer: World Health Organization

Dr. Rojas is in Africa with her colleague, Dr. Hopper. They have been sent there by the World Health Organization to investigate a mysterious disease that seems to be spreading across the continent. After meeting Dirk in Egypt and discovering that he is on his way west, the doctors hitch a ride with Dirk and Al. Dirk has two goals now: he wants to protect Eva, and search for the treasure.

Answer: Al Giordino

Really, it is apparent throughout the entire movie that Al is more than Dirk's sidekick. He and Dirk have been together since kindergarten, through the Naval Academy, Navy, and now they work together. Al is just as quick, witty and intelligent as Dirk is. And yes, I hope you recognized the other famous sidekicks: Watson/Homes: Morarity/Paradice and Samwise/Frodo!

Answer: NUMA

NUMA is the "National Underwater and Marine Agency." The purpose of NUMA is to promote oceanic exploration and investigation. At the beginning of the movie, NUMA is in Egypt, reclaiming an ancient Egyptian artifact from the sea. NUMA is run by Admiral James Sandecker, who has known Dirk and Al since Vietnam.

In real life, Cussler has established NUMA to "preserve marine heritage through discovery and archaeological survey." The organization has found the Conferderate States navy submarine, the H. L. Hunley.

Answer: The Ship of Death

The Confederation navy ship is being loaded at the beginning of the movie, and the captain is told to run the Union blockade and take the ship to safety. Even though it was not ocean-worthy, Dirk believes the discovery of a gold Confederate coin means the ship made it to Africa.

He finds that local legends in West Africa speak of The Ship of Death, and convinces Admiral Sandecker to loan his private yacht for a three-day side trip.

Answer: Mali

Dr. Rojas feels the origin of the mysterious disease is in Mali, and Dirk's underworld contact says that is where the gold coin was found. Dirk refuses to take Eva to Mali because it is too dangerous, however, she finagles a way with Admiral Sandecker.

Answer: Tuareg

The group's pursuits take them into Tuareg country, where they are apprehended and taken to the rebel camp. The Tuareg are fighting a civil war against the French businessman, Massarde, who runs a solar detoxification plant, and the military commander, General Kazim.

In the camp Eva discovers sick people, and eventually finds that their water supply is contaminated. Dirk and Al find an underground room with a wall painting that appears to tell the story of the Ship of Death they are seeking.

Answer: cars

In many ways Dirk is Cussler's alter-ego. Like Cussler, Dirk has a collection of exotic cars. In this movie, the featured car is a 1939 Avions Voisin C-28. Dirk is impressed; he says there were only six of them made. It is currently in the possession of General Kazim, but by the end of the movie it belongs to Dirk.

Answer: It is given to the rebel fighters.

That night in 1865, rebels were loading gold coins on board the CSS Texas. When Dirk, Al, and Eva find the remains of the Ship of Death, they find boxes of Confederate gold coins. The last we see of the coins, they are stored in the underground room in the rebel camp - to help fund the new government? General Kazim is dead, Massarde has unknowingly consumed the tainted water, Dr. Rojas has made an antidote for the poison, Admiral Sandecker is receiving new computers from the U.S. government in exchange for his occasional help, Al is in the rebel camp, and Dirk? He, Eva, and the Avions Voisin are on vacation in Monterey Bay.