hyped garbage

Excellent but underrated film

A Disappointing Continuation

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

As someone who will watch pretty much anything that is filmed on location in Africa, I found this historical retelling of the 19th century Geographic Society's scramble for discovery (also related to the European "scramble for Africa) to be entertaining, condescending and compelling. The cinematography is excellent, there is no mistaking some of those locations. And once you realize this is all a glimpse of Africa from white English explorers who cannot communicate (or even understand) their surroundings, and thus are as confused and appalled as the viewer in some scenes, you can get over some of the more racist undertones...because they were racist back then. So, take this as a period piece of discovery and adventure in an age when people all over the world were discovering each other for the first time, and you will absolutely enjoy it.

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. ****

Bob Rafelson's widescreen, epic re-staging of the quest for the source of the Nile River is a challenging, often violent adventure, filled with dynamic action, exotic scenery, and striking contrasts between 'civilized' 19th Century England and the 'savage' wilderness of uncharted Africa. The script needs several clumsy, expository scenes to set up the characters of explorers Richard Francis Burton and John Speke, coming to full-blooded life only after beginning their journey into the Dark Continent. But is it primarily an adventure film, a story of professional kinship and rivalry (with suggestions of homosexual obsession), or a criticism of British chauvinism abroad? A little of all three is not enough of each. The overstated, blockbuster music score and a romantic subplot are liabilities, but overall the film is a throwback to an earlier era of wide screen entertainment, showing the shady politics, misplaced pride, and mortal folly of scientific exploration in an earlier century.

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!