Caravans (1978): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Caravans is a 1978 romantic drama directed by James Fargo, starring Michael Sarrazin as Mark Miller, Jennifer O'Neill and Christopher Lee. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $3.9 million worldwide on a $14 million budget.
- worldwide gross
- $3.9M
- budget
- $14M
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 7m (127 min)
- Director
- James Fargo
- Original language
-
German - Studio
- Ibex Films
- Budget
- $14M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Caravans About?
The premise of Caravans without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Based on James Michener’s novel, this epic adventure‑drama follows a young American embassy official dispatched into the Middle‑Eastern desert to locate a US senator’s missing daughter. She has abandoned her husband, a colonel in the Shadom, to join a nomadic tribe. The diplomat finds her, joins the caravan, and tries to convince her to return.
Caravans Themes & Keywords
· 26 tags- scene during opening credits
- one word title
- daughter
- 1940s
- tribe
- russian
- caravan
- rebel
- afghanistan
- year 1948
- sheik
- shah
+14 more Show fewer
- poverty
- arms smuggling
- modernism
- traditionalism
- forced settlement
- disappearance
- jealous husband
- missing woman
- nomad tent
- camel
- desert
- american diplomat
- remake
- based on novel
Caravans Cast & Characters
Michael Sarrazin leads the cast as Mark Miller, with Jennifer O'Neill as Ellen Jasper and Christopher Lee as Sardar Khan. Directed by James Fargo; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director James Fargo
- Michael Sarrazin as Mark Miller
-
Jennifer O'Neill as Ellen Jasper -
Christopher Lee as Sardar Khan -
Anthony Quinn as Zulffiqar
Also Starring in Caravans
· 5 more- Joseph Cotten Crandall
- Barry Sullivan Richardson
- Jeremy Kemp Dr. Smythe
- Behrouz Vossoughi Nasrollah
- Duncan Quinn Moheb
More from James Fargo
More films directed by James Fargo, best-rated first: The Enforcer, Every Which Way But Loose, Born to Ride and Born to Race.
Caravans Plot Summary
What happens in Caravans from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the fictional Middle Eastern nation of Zadestan, set in 1948, Mark Miller from the American Embassy is drawn into a tense, morally charged mission. He is tasked with locating Ellen Jasper, the daughter of a U.S. senator, who vanished long after marrying Nazrullah, a man in a position of power who is desperate to find her. The case is complicated by law and loyalty: Ellen had relinquished her U.S. citizenship upon marriage, a fact that raises questions about jurisdiction, protection, and whether anyone outside the country can truly intervene.
Full summary
The whole story of Caravans, scene by scene
Caravans Box Office & Budget
Caravans grossed $3.9 million worldwide on a $14 million budget, 28% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$3.9M
28% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $3.9M
- Budget
- $14M
How Well Do You Know Caravans?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is the story set?
Cars in Caravans
7 cars on screen, including the 1973 UAZ 469 and the 1953 Willys Jeep CJ-3B.
-
1973 UAZ 469 Important role -
1953 Willys Jeep CJ-3B Important role -
Dodge unknown Minor role -
1946 Ford Super De Luxe Minor role
Caravans Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Caravanas” and “Karawany”.
- Also known as
-
- Caravanas
- Karawany
- 카라반스
- Karavánok
- Caravanes
- Καραβάν
- Der Herr der Karawane
- کاروان
- Караваны
- 풍운의 캐러밴
- 万里狂沙绝世情
Seen Caravans?
Movies Like Caravans
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Caravan, Caravan and Sahara.
Caravans FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Caravans, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Caravans?
Caravans runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).
When was Caravans released?
Caravans was released on November 2, 1978.
Who directed Caravans?
Caravans was directed by James Fargo.
More films by James Fargo Who is in the cast of Caravans?
Caravans stars Michael Sarrazin as Mark Miller, Jennifer O'Neill as Ellen Jasper and Christopher Lee as Sardar Khan, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Caravans make at the box office?
Caravans grossed $3.9 million worldwide on a budget of $14 million.
Does Caravans have a post-credit scene?
No. Caravans has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Caravans in?
The original language of Caravans is German.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
