10/10 (Essential viewing for any fan of Top Gear, The Grand Tour, or automotive chaos).
Select clips and occasionally full-length segments are available on the official BBC Top Gear website .
The Top Gear Middle East Special remains one of the most ambitious and culturally significant episodes in the history of the BBC franchise. Released during Series 16, this feature-length adventure saw the iconic trio—Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May—attempting to follow the path of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem.
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Unlike some Top Gear specials focused purely on stunts, the Middle East Special balances humor, genuine tension (real conflict zones), and a rare respectful tone toward local cultures. It’s often ranked by fans as one of the top 5 Top Gear specials. top gear - middle east special full episode
Travel to the birthplace of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
The trio was tasked with buying gifts along the way—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—before reaching the end. The hunt for these items in traditional souks led to some of the episode’s best cultural exchanges. 3. Why It’s Considered a Top Gear Masterpiece
The Ultimate Guide to the Top Gear Middle East Special: Where to Watch the Full Episode and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
There is a quiet majesty to this episode that modern car shows often miss. In the rush to create viral clips, they forget to let the camera linger. The Middle East Special lingered. It captured the exhaustion of the drivers, the heat haze rising from the tarmac, and the sheer scale of the geography. It made the viewer feel the distance in a way that a map never could. 10/10 (Essential viewing for any fan of Top
Crossing into Jordan, the landscape opens up into the sweeping deserts of Wadi Rum. This is where the cinematography team earns their paycheck. The shots of the three beat-up convertibles tearing across the red sands, chasing the sun, are breathtaking.
The final stretch takes the team through Israel and into the West Bank. The emotional and narrative climax occurs at a stable in Bethlehem, where the trio discovers a humorous twist on the traditional gold, frankincense, and myrrh gifts awaiting them. Behind the Scenes: Real Danger and Concussions
Clarkson, in a rare moment of optimism, bought an Italian "little boat." It was red, pretty, and theoretically fast. Within the first hour of driving, the electric roof jammed half-open, the exhaust fell off, and the air conditioning failed. For the rest of the journey, Clarkson drove wrapped in a wet towel like a sheikh, constantly screaming at the cursed Italian electronics.
Vehicle selection, preparation and modifications Released during Series 16, this feature-length adventure saw
Watch the iconic moment where the team's questionable modifications and mechanical repairs are put to the test in the desert heat: Top Gear Middle East Special - Jeremy Fixes the Mazda Megan T (Muggs8787) YouTube• Nov 22, 2015 Legacy and Reception
The current home for the Top Gear library in many regions, including the US.
Top Gear specials are the peak of automotive television, and the stands as one of the most ambitious, controversial, and hilarious episodes ever filmed. Originally airing on December 26, 2010, as part of Series 16, this seasonal masterpiece saw Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May attempt to recreate the journey of the Three Wise Men.
During filming in Syria, May suffered a concussion after being knocked over by a tow rope. He was famously collected from the hospital by Clarkson and Hammond, who were disguised in burqas.