Mountains of the Moon (1990)

Daring adventure, good story, not for the squeamish

This film makes me want to read the historical novel that it was based on. Two explorers travel through dangerous 19th century Africa, enduring hardship, torture, attacks, and more in their quest to find the source of the Nile. Fantastic landscapes abound, and the two main actors give strong performances, showing the very different sensibilities of two seekers--one who appreciates the cultures and one who is more interested in hunting.
Good supporting work from such experienced actors as Fiona Shaw and Bernard Hill make it even better.
Beware that there are some very graphic scenes of cruelty in the film that won't sit too well with more squeamish and sensitive viewers.
September 15, 2007

Mountains of the Moon

The realization of a lifelong dream for director Bob Rafelson ("Five Easy Pieces"), the majestic and visually breathtaking "Mountains" is strong on both adventure and human drama, as Burton and Speke bond on their perilous, arduous journey, then become estranged once back in England. Bergin is perfectly cast as rugged Irishman Burton; rough-hewn and out-of-place, he is a "modern" stuck in Victorian England. Glen is equally credible as the upper-crust Speke, the very personification of Old English values. "Mountains" is consistently fascinating and richly detailed, a must for modern-day explorers at heart. July 13, 2007

Mountains of the Moon

Truly enjoyed the DVD. Excellent quality, good price, and fast turnaround from Amazon. Having read accounts of the various "search for the source of the Nile" expeditions, including Speke's diary of the final expedition to Lake Victoria, I can see that some poetic license was taken with the movie. Still, most of the trail of this epic adventure is factual and I'm surprised that the movie wasn't received more enthusiastically in the U.S. Possibly because it didn't star Bob Redford or Brad Pitt. May 13, 2007

History well told...

As other reviewers' have stated, this film about Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke, and their explorations in search of the source of the Nile, their troubled relationship and their ultimate estrangement, ending tragically in Speke's controversial death, (suicide or a mere hunting accident) has been certainly underrated.

As both men lived extraordinary lives, a film can only touch on the "highpoints" and turn the story into something akin to a Hollywood tested "entertainment piece", however, this particular historical narrative requires no embellishments, because their lives and experiences have become the stuff of legend.

One of the numerous reasons Mountains of the Moon is such a great film is its historical accuracy, beginning with Burton and Speke's first meeting and the subsequent tragedy on expedition in the African territory now known as Somalia. On a mere Survey expedition, late at night their camp was attacked, ending with a spear through Burton's cheek and jaw and Speke being taken prisoner, tortured and his legs broken. Because the natives ran scared over a superstition, (not conveyed in the film) the two managed to escape. Because Captain Burton headed this particular expedition, its failure would haunt his career for many years.

The director and producer(s) aimed for the epic grandeur of a David Lean film such as Laurance of Arabia or Doctor Zhivago and, when one listens to the beautiful sound track and the breathtaking cinematography of the African landscape will see that they achieved their outcome, as the film's quality is absolutely superb.

Having grown into a Burton admirer and completes, studying and gathering everything known about this unusual and fringe genius, Mountains of the Moon is a worthy addition because of its quality production and its genuine attempt at historical accuracy on the lives of these (R) romantic individuals, the last truly earthbound explorers (Aside from the Australian and European Explores of Antarctica) who have been forgotten in the chaos of triviality in the 21st century.

If you haven't had the opportunity to see this film, do so, as it is a well produced piece created by people who care about history and the value of a story well told.








March 31, 2007

an old-fashioned adventure

This is one of the better adventure movies produced in Hollywood. Based accurately on the true story of Burton and Speke's search for the headwaters of the Nile, actors Patrick Bergin and Iain Glenn seem to forge a strong bond while enduring some awful hardships during their journey. It's up to the viewer to judge what occurs when these two valient explorers return to the UK, but all in all, this is a great movie that anyone interested in action-adventure-history will appreciate // December 26, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...