Charley Boorman: Ireland to Sydney by Any Means (2008– ) User Reviews

Made me feel as if I was traveling with them.

[Majin11 · 9/10 · 2 January 2009]

First of all I have to say that I missed the first few episodes, I'm not sure how their journey starts but I still got hooked quite fast, despite it being broadcasted at times as late as 0:30 or 1:30 in the UK. They could easily get rid of shows like Big Brother and all those "soaps" and change them for more cultural, light hearted, and undoubtedly much more INTERESTING things like By Any Means, I'm sure some people would appreciate it.

And now I will comment on the program.

The first thing I remember thinking when I first tuned in was something like "Man, Charley Boorman is on drugs 24/7!", I think that's why I continued watching it for a while until I really started enjoying it.

I like the way you see them travel, for me it makes it more real than people just popping up at places, I was also amazed at how Charley seemed to "enjoy" every single bit of the journey (like...the very long journeys, the things that almost went wrong, or even the most dirty poor and unhygienic locations), and how he seemed to get along with almost everyone he met, despite being a bit random at times, he comes across as a friendly and simple fellow with a big appetite for adventure.

I'll say, despite not having gone to all the coolest places and done all the coolest stuff they could of done, that "Ireland to Sidney By Any Means" is the best traveling program I have seen, and It's how I'd like all of them to be, not like when you see this 60 something year old guy go somewhere and start talking with someone about the history of a place for about 10 minutes and then take a "Business Class" plane to his next location, these guys go there as normal people, they have fun, and then go somewhere else to keep having fun, with no "glittery" additions. Just the real thing! It's made me think about doing something like that someday.

I'd recommend it to anyone.

As much about the journey as the countries themselves

[CthragYaska · 9/10 · 9 January 2009]

I think the comment made by chopendoz from Australia shows they missed the point of this show entirely. As the show title suggests, this is as much about the methods used travelling from Ireland to Sydney as it is about the countries themselves. If called "Wandering for a year without a map" then perhaps...

Being a TV show they did not have the luxury to spend weeks at a time in each location. The basic premise was to plan out a journey that was not only as safe as they could make it, but also highlight the cultural differences of each country they passed through, all the while avoiding wherever possible the modern method of the commercial airline.

The vehicles used were often unheard of, frequently bizarre (and occasionally unreliable!), and it was through using these vehicles they were able to meet and greet the usually friendly and open locals who use such methods of transport on a daily basis.

For those expecting a full on "Holiday" style travel show you're looking in the wrong place, but for those with an interest in far away places with strange sounding names and how the people there live and get about (presented by a very likable trio of travellers), then you could do a lot worse than give this a look!

A fun romp spoiled by bad sound quality

[vflex-01466 · 8/10 · 27 December 2020]

Another enjoyable adventure following Charley bumbling his way across the world. A real shame half the time you can't hear what he's saying due to the bad sound mixing.

Great Team ...apart from Charlie. All about him sadly!!! No Gravitas or humility, no self-awareness.self-absorbed!

[susieswinhoe · 1 March 2021]

I enjoy all travel-based programmes. Charlie is very insecure and needs it to be all about HIM. He is smug and has little emotional intelligence. Mentioned how homesick he was. What about the team? ME, ME, ME! He has led a charmed , privileged life and shows little or no "genuine" regard for the local folk he met on route. He barely showed much concern for Mungo( accident and death/ funeral of his grandfather). Excuse for his family to have a jolly in Sydney.

How does Russ put up with him? ?..tantrum about boat to Australia and the metal bike purchased at the end."I can sèe that in MY garden"

His father had the contacts , his mate Ewen gave him a leg up and exposure and since the 2 series with Ewen he has fallen short. Rather vulgar. Everything set up for him, no expense spared, hotel, tuk tuk. No depth...Shallow Being paid alot ...to have lots of unearnt fun. UNICEF is incidental.

Brilliant work Russ, Mungo and team. Grow up Charlie.

Fantastic...

[eskimosound · 10/10 · 28 February 2021]

If it was easy everyone would be doing it. Charley Boorman is a pure joy to watch, he makes even the mundane fun and interesting and isn't afraid to muck in. There is real enthusiasm in his approach and a love for what he is doing. There is no doubt that Russ Malkin has found his niche. The logistics of such adventures must be a complete nightmare but time and time again he proves his skill. Interestingly he only Produces/Directs the First Series and let's Claudio, Produce and Direct the Second. These are great series's and more may they continue.

Won't Be for Everyone but I Loved It

[robertswain-50293 · 9/10 · 25 April 2024]

One thing people need to understand is this is not a conventional travel show. It's not about the places they go but about the journey and the people travelling.

Honestly I think a lot will come down whether you like Charley who had a good-hearted yet big personality (hence 'Won't be everyone').

It's very different to Long Way Round as the it is based on a difference concept - different modes of travel instead of gruelling travel across the wild.

Overall, I think its great and I liked Charley's comedy and how his naive sense of adventure often doesn't click with Russ' methodical sense of order and safest option first.

Think you will find out in the first episode pretty quickly whether you click with Charley and if not there's no shame in not watching further but inherently its an above average show and a great watch.

Fun!

[tomgpohl · 8/10 · 21 June 2021]

Charley has a way of describing the most depressing and happy areas of the world in a smooth likable tone. It was a fun series for the whole family. The boats were a crackup!

Completely Lacking Adventure

[cybersusst · 3/10 · 7 January 2009]

The most exciting part of travelling is the wandering out into the unknown and finding your way. Ringing head office to get them to sort out your visa is not so exhilarating.

I'd recommend this for people who have really done no travelling and like to see a quick glimpse of a few places, but as for a travelling documentary there really is more Charley Boorman than interesting shots. They should have let Mungo out there, just him and a camera following him, he wouldn't be so big into performing for the camera.

And other than carry boxes, what exactly did they do for UNICEF?? Also, their budget must have been incredible. If they got rid of all the people at base helping them and had a certain amount of money to get them from Ireland to Australia it would have been a whole lot better.

A piece of self indulgence

[chopendoz · 5/10 · 5 November 2008]

I was interested in this series being just one of the many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people who traveled the overland trail from the UK to Australia from the late 70's onwards. Most of us did it without a map or guide book, little money or backup. The attitude of Charlie and his crew commenting on the 'primitive' conditions were laughable to those of us with a lot more experience of the Third World. This series would be interesting to armchair travelers but after a while it seemed that the actual traveling took precedence over the places visited. Some interesting locations were only worth a minute or so while shots of Charlie mugging for the camera quickly became boring. Overall, an interesting idea but it came across as simply a piece of self indulgence.

I can't believe this is on BBC Four!

[anniebrodie · 3/10 · 15 February 2021]

Charley Boorman completely spoils this potentially interesting travelogue. Charley's lack of intellect is matched only by his severely limited vocabulary. His favourites descriptors are "nice" and "fun". Quote (on climbing on the back of an elephant) "Once you're up here - you're up here, really." And, pricelessly "We're at 1460 metres. That's why it's Katmandhu". It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. Clearly, nepotism got him where he is.

I gave up at India.

[bonzodog-29475 · 4/10 · 8 February 2021]

I drove a bus. I sailed a dinghy across the Channel. (Probably the best bit.) I got on a train. Oh, it's a sleeper, how exciting. I got a taxi. I got on a ferry. So? Boring boring boring. I'm just watching The Long Way Round again, that was an adventure.