Not only the antagonist Raja James Brooke is a real historic person (1803 - 1868), but also Sandokan. His name was "Sandokong", he lived in Sabah and was friend and comrade of Syarif Osman who fought against the British in 1845. The background of the story is true.
The series Sandokan, which fictionally took place in the jungles of Sabah, Borneo, was filmed in the Malaysian Province of Terengannu, including Kapas Island, a small tropical island with palm fringed white sand beaches and dense jungles across the town of Marang.
Sandokan was screened as a two part movie in theaters in Iran.
"Sandokan" was shown in Germany on TV in a 6 episodes mini series, but it was also shown as a two movies, three movies, four movies and a 5 episodes mini series.