The Last Overland - Alex Bescoby

To round up 2024, Outside In brings Manchester born award-winning film-maker and Author Alex Bescoby to Cultplex. Alex will be regaling us with his epic journey ‘The Last Overland’ - Singapore to London in a Land Rover still kicking about from 1955.

‘A journey that I don’t think could be made again today‘. It was this comment by Sir David Attenborough on the fiftieth anniversary of the iconic first Overland Expedition that became an irresistible challenge for filmmaker and adventurer Alex.

In 1955, David Attenborough, was approached by six university graduates determined to drive the entire length of ‘Eurasia’, from London to Singapore. It was the unclimbed Everest of motoring – many had tried, none had succeeded. Attenborough gave the expedition enough film reel to cover their attempt and the 19,000-mile journey completed by Tim Slessor and the team captivated a nation emerging from post-war austerity. Tim’s book, The First Overland, soon became the Bible of the overlanding religion.

Inspired by the First Overland, Alex Bescoby made contact with now eighty-six-year-old Tim and together they planned an epic recreation of the original trip, this time from Singapore to London in the original Oxford Land Rover.

Alex and his team soon found themselves battling rough roads, breakdowns and Oxford’s constant leaky roof to discover a world changed for the better – and worse – since the first expedition.

Alex Bescoby is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer and presenter with a passion for adventure and a love of history, travel and storytelling. A Cambridge University history and politics graduate, he has written for BBC News, the Telegraph, National Geographic and Lonely Planet. His films have been shown by global broadcasters including BBC, Channel 4, History, Discovery & Canal+.

'The Last Overland' out in all good book stores, and there will be some signed copies available to buy on the night.

You can find out more information about Alex on his Instagram: @alex_bescoby Twitter: @alexbescoby Facebook: @alexbescobyofficial or his website www.alexbescoby.com

We will be hosting the event at Cultplex - Manchester’s independent cinema. The bar will be open from 17:00 on the day, offering a range of local and independent drinks. Theatre doors open at 18:30. The event will proceed at 19:00.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Further information can be found on Cultplex's Website.

Outside In returns for a second year of adventure and outdoors themed films and speakers in Manchester during the darker months of the year. Join us monthly at Manchester’s independent cinema Cultplex. For more information about our upcoming talks and films follow us on instagram @outsideinmcr

Outside In is proud to be partnered with Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports. The Brigham family have been supplying Manchester with outdoor supplies since 1933 when Frederick Ellis Brigham set up a business in the North-East of Manchester making hiking and cycling shoes. Now their stores can be found all over the country, with our local store based in Deansgate. The local team will be down from the shop for our event, along with magazines, vouchers and prizes.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cultplex, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, United Kingdom