Mountains of the Moon (1990)
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69% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(1,359 ratings)
Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Henning Speke (Iain Glen). The heart of the film is the effort… More Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Henning Speke (Iain Glen). The heart of the film is the effort by Burton and Speke to discover the true source of the Nile river. This occurs well into the film, after several torturous scenes involving the injuries sustained by the protagonists during other expeditions and their growing friendship (which, the film intimates, goes far beyond friendship). Rafaelson's fascination with this story, and his insistence upon painstaking historical accuracy, unfortunately compromises his ability to make an interesting film. There are so many starts and stops during the first half that we sincerely hope Burton and Speke will chuck it all and set up a pub in Bristol or something. What saves Mountains of the Moon is the rapport between its stars and the brilliant, epic-like cinematography of Roger Deakins. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bob Rafelson
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
R,
- In Theaters
- Feb 23, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- Live Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An engaging and robust tale of exploration and adventure.
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Ed Gonzalez, Apollo Guide
Director Bob Rafelson, whose claim to fame is the impeccably nuanced Five Easy Pieces, manages to effectively play on the differences between Burton and Speke.
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Cast
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Patrick Bergin
as Capt. Richard Francis Burton
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Iain Glen
as Lt. John Hanning Speke
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Richard E. Grant
as Laurence Oliphant
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Fiona Shaw
as Isabel Arundell Burton
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Peter Vaughan
as Lord Houghton
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John Savident
as Lord Murchison
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Roger Rees
as Edgar Papworth
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James Villiers
as Lord Oliphant
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Anna Massey
as Mrs. Arundell
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Bernard Hill
as Dr. David Livingstone
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Leslie Phillips
as Mr. Arundell
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Delroy Lindo
as Mabruki
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Paul Onsongo
as Sidi Bombay
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Peter Eyre
as Norton Shaw
- Omar Sharif
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Roshan Seth
as Ben Amir
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Doreen Mantle
as Mrs. Speke
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Pip Torrens
as Lt. Hesketh
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Frances Cuka
as Lady Houghton
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Roger Ashton-Griffiths
as Lord Cowley
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Asiba Asiba
as Nubian Servant
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Richard Caldicot
as Lord Russell
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Bill Croasdale
as 2nd Reporter
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Craig Crosbie
as Swinburne
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Christopher Fulford
as Herne
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Jimmy Gardner
as Jarvis
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Stewart Harwood
as Attendant
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Zam Zam Issa
as Somali Girl
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Pineniece Joshua
as Somali Girl
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Leonard Juma
as Jemadar
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Renny Krupinski
as Reporter
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Patrick Letladi
as Bearer
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Alison Limerick
as Sorceress
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George Malpas
as Lead Actor
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Matthew Marsh
as William
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Konga Mbandu
as Bearer
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Fikile Mdleleni
as Bearer
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Norta Muhammed
as Somali Girl
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Wilson Ng'Ong'A
as Bearer
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Bheki Tonto Ngema
as Ngola
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Rocks Nhlapo
as Bearer
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Esther Njiru
as Lema
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Ralph Nossek
as Doctor
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Martin Okello
as Veldu
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Michael Otieno
as Bearer
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Adrian Rawlins
as Edward
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Fatima Said
as Somali Girl
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Ian Vincent
as Lt. Allen
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Philip Voss
as Col. Rigby
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Robert Whelan
as 1st Reporter
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Rod Woodruff
as Fencer
- Celestia Fox
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Garry Cooper
as Stroyan
- Lain Glen
