Escape to the Legion
For generations the French Foreign Legion has been romanticised as a refuge for men seeking a second chance in life. But what is it really like? Bear Grylls sets off for the Sahara desert to find out. Along with 11 other volunteers, from ex-criminals to struggling businessmen, Bear puts himself through a month's brutal training at an ex-Legion fort in the Western Sahara that is designed to replicate the rigours of the Legion's own basic training. The recruits discover the truth behind the Beau Geste image about the unique military culture that makes the Legion among the toughest fighting forces in the world.
Cast: Bear Grylls, Bobby Abedeen, Dean Gardner
Season 1
4 episodes
- 1. Episode 1In the scalding heat of the desert it becomes apparent that many of the men fall short of the physical and psychological qualities they need to survive their training.CC48minApr 4, 2005
- 2. Episode 2Three days into legionnaire life, the recruits are wishing they'd never been born. Bear is punished for a minor misdemeanour by being buried up to his neck in sand.CC48minApr 11, 2005
- 3. Episode 3Halfway through, three of the recruits have already left and the remaining volunteers are dropping like flies with the medics battling to keep them on their feet.CC48minApr 18, 2005
- 4. Episode 4It's the final week of training. But before any recruits can pass, they must survive two days of training in the desert, an eight-kilometre run in full combat gear and a 40km march to the sea.CC48minApr 25, 2005
Escape to the Legion
For generations the French Foreign Legion has been romanticised as a refuge for men seeking a second chance in life. But what is it really like? Bear Grylls sets off for the Sahara desert to find out. Along with 11 other volunteers, from ex-criminals to struggling businessmen, Bear puts himself through a month's brutal training at an ex-Legion fort in the Western Sahara that is designed to replicate the rigours of the Legion's own basic training. The recruits discover the truth behind the Beau Geste image about the unique military culture that makes the Legion among the toughest fighting forces in the world.
Creators and cast
- Directors
- Rupert Smith
- Created by
- Mark Westcott, Robert MacIver
- Studio
