Good movie but grossly overrated

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This is one fine film, no doubt about it. I was drawn to it after reading about Richard Burton and his comrade (later nemesis) John Speke, first in the fictional novel 'The Bookman's Promise', which is based around Burton. At any rate, further research into Burton and Speke led me here, and I am so glad that it did. The cinematography in this film is extraordinary, and is worth the watch in itself. Don't expect edge-of-the-seat action, although certainly globetrotting in the 1850's certainly has its share of excitement. Acting is superb. All aspects of production work are outstanding. I would imagine the only reason this film didn't get the response it deserves is likely because the basic subject matter is more of historical British (and slightly political) interest, and is based on actual incidents. I strongly recommend this film.

As with many other reviewers here, among my top choices for overall quality of screenplay acting, and cinematography, and reasonable historical accuracy, in a historically important, extremely difficult expedition, in which the existence of both lakes Tanganyika and Victoria were sighted for the first time by modern Europeans, although rumored since ancient times to exist. As dramatized, later, Burton, who was too ill to accompany Speke on the trek that resulted in an all too brief sighting of Lake Victoria, justly questioned Speke's claim, based on flimsy evidence, that Lake Victoria must be the main source of the White Nile. The screenplay fails to mention that Speke led a subsequent expedition, in which he much more fully explored the region around Lake Victoria, and returned by way of the Nile. Nonetheless, he again failed to provide incontestable proof that Lake Victoria was the main source of the White Nile. Burton was sore that he was passed over to lead this expedition, and continued to harass Speke about the deficiencies in his evidence. The film makes it appear that Speke plotted to kill himself with his hunting rifle the day before a public debate with Burton. Although the circumstantial evidence would seem strong for this conclusion, most contemporaries chose to call it an accident.I think Burton is falsely characterized as being Irish because this helps accentuate the otherwise historically true perception that, despite his amazing variety of talents, Burton was not a respectable upper class Englishman, such as Speke emulated, thus was discriminated against in acknowledging the accomplishments of their joint expedition.Along with an interlude between their two journeys, the last portion of the film takes place in England, enlivened by a combination of frivolous frolicking, controversies, and renewed romance, on the part of Burton.It's not specified that Somalia warriors were responsible for the night attack that nearly killed both Burton and Speke, in their failed first expedition. Next time, they started from the much more hospitable Zanzibar. Quite crucial to the survival of both men and the relative success of the expedition were their two guides: Sidi Bombay and Mabruki, who would be rewarded by being chosen for several additional expeditions into central Africa, including those of Stanley. They were the Kit Carson and Jim Bridger-equivalents to Fremont's expeditions across the American West.Actually, a merchant in classical Greek times claimed to have discovered the source of the White Nile, claiming it arose in a chain of high snow-covered mountains that emptied into a series of large lakes in central Africa. He said the natives called them the Mountains of the Moon, because of their white snow-capped summits: presumably the Ruwenzoris, which Burton and Speke never reached. The latter mountains do contribute some headwaters to the Nile.Although the Royal Geographical Society eventually was persuaded by Speke's incomplete evidence that Lake Victoria was the apparent main source of the White Nile, Burton and Livingston continued to promote Lake Tanganyika, which eventually was found, by Stanley, to be a minor source of water for the Congo River.The film takes the traditional view, promoted by the much longer surviving Burton, that Speke was a much more narrowly focused and talented person, and was sexually and generally emotionally repressed. However, the rather recent book "Explorers of the Nile", makes use of some previously ignored literary sources by or relating to Speke to cast his personality in a more favorable light.

The source of the Nile river captivated many English explorers during the nineteenth century. That majestic river which spans some four thousand miles in length is the basis of this incredible movie. The film written by William Harrison is directed by Bob Rafelson and called "The Mountains of the moon." It stars Patrick Bergin as Capt. Richard Burton. It follows Burton and his traveling companion Lt. John Hanning Speke (Iain Glen) as two courageous, intrepid and certainly adventurous British explorers as they search for the Headwaters of the Nile. Along the way, they meet Sidi Bombay (Paul Onsongo) the most experienced African guide who despite all the rigors suffered by him and the rest of the expedition, receives none of the credit for the discovery. However, the story centers on Burton and Speke who begin as friends and years later end with each believing their society and media friends as they create unaccounted falsehoods and unfounded rumorers of the other's exploits. Still for all it's worth, the movie is a great addition to the treasury of collected works on the Dark Continent. Delroy Lindo has a good part with his character 'Mabruki.' Recommended to any adventurous spirit who wished to visit Africa and the Nile in it's heyday. ****

I just discovered this movie. I had not heard anything about it or so little that I did not remember it. Well i discovered a real jewel. A great adventure. So many things happening. England, Africa, politics, hate, love, savagery, friendship... Everything is in this movie. It's Indiana Jones and Dallas and Greystoke all together The acting is great. I don't know if this was the way it happened or not but for more than 2 hours, i felt i was back in the 19th century.How can such a movie be totally forgotten?A beautiful description of an epic history.If you have not seen it yet, just find it and enjoy!