PLOT

Borneo, 1841. Sandokan is a pirate who, together with his loyal friend Yanez de Gomera and the rest of his international crew, sails the South China Sea during the era of British colonial rule. The crew also includes the Italian Emilio, who keeps a record of everything. Whilst boarding a cargo ship belonging to the Sultan of Brunei, Sandokan frees a mysterious prisoner who sees in him the prophesied warrior who will liberate his people from foreign oppression. On the island of Labuan, the seat of the British consulate, Sandokan meets the consul’s daughter, Marianne Guillonk, who is known as the ‘Pearl of Labuan’ for her beauty and her indomitable character, with which she rebuffs all her wealthy suitors. 

 Their encounter changes everything for Marianna. She falls in love with Sandokan, and although she is also attracted to James Brooke, the charming young adventurer, she naturally chooses Sandokan, with whom she shares the tireless struggle for freedom. Brooke, as a privateer, fights piracy and will eventually depose the Sultan of Brunei. Sandokan, on the other hand, learns over time that his real name is Aliyak and that he belongs to the Murut people, who are exploited by the Sultan of Brunei as labourers in the antimony mines. He resolves to help them. 

Perhaps in Season 2 we’ll finally get to see something of Mompracem and the Tiger of Malaysia.