Mountains of the Moon (1990)

69% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(1,324 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

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Bob Rafelson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Feb 23, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Mar 16, 1999
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An engaging and robust tale of exploration and adventure.
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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

This is an excellent movie that portrays Capt. Sir Richard Francis Burton and his mate, John Hanning Speke's travels to find the source of the Nile, and travails to claim the right to say that either of these two gentlemen adventurers discovered the source of the Nile makes for… More
This is an excellent movie that portrays Capt. Sir Richard Francis Burton and his mate, John Hanning Speke's travels to find the source of the Nile, and travails to claim the right to say that either of these two gentlemen adventurers discovered the source of the Nile makes for one of the biggest and best EPIC adventure films in recent memory.. This is a movie That should be watched more then once and you wouldn't get bored. 4 1/2 stars
Anthony V

Great adventure story.

Cast

            Patrick Bergin as Capt. Richard Francis Burton

            Iain Glen as Lt. John Hanning Speke

            Richard E. Grant as Laurence Oliphant

            Fiona Shaw as Isabel Arundell Burton

            Peter Vaughan as Lord Houghton

            John Savident as Lord Murchison

            Roger Rees as Edgar Papworth

            James Villiers as Lord Oliphant

            Anna Massey as Mrs. Arundell

            Bernard Hill as Dr. David Livingstone

            Leslie Phillips as Mr. Arundell

            Delroy Lindo as Mabruki

            Paul Onsongo as Sidi Bombay

            Peter Eyre as Norton Shaw

            Omar Sharif
            
            Roshan Seth as Ben Amir

            Doreen Mantle as Mrs. Speke

            Pip Torrens as Lt. Hesketh

            Frances Cuka as Lady Houghton

            Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Lord Cowley

            Asiba Asiba as Nubian Servant

            Richard Caldicot as Lord Russell

            Bill Croasdale as 2nd Reporter

            Craig Crosbie as Swinburne

            Christopher Fulford as Herne

            Jimmy Gardner as Jarvis

            Stewart Harwood as Attendant

            Zam Zam Issa as Somali Girl

            Pineniece Joshua as Somali Girl

            Leonard Juma as Jemadar

            Renny Krupinski as Reporter

            Patrick Letladi as Bearer

            Alison Limerick as Sorceress

            George Malpas as Lead Actor

            Matthew Marsh as William

            Konga Mbandu as Bearer

            Fikile Mdleleni as Bearer

            Norta Muhammed as Somali Girl

            Wilson Ng'Ong'A as Bearer

            Bheki Tonto Ngema as Ngola

            Rocks Nhlapo as Bearer

            Esther Njiru as Lema

            Ralph Nossek as Doctor

            Martin Okello as Veldu

            Michael Otieno as Bearer

            Adrian Rawlins as Edward

            Fatima Said as Somali Girl

            Ian Vincent as Lt. Allen

            Philip Voss as Col. Rigby

            Robert Whelan as 1st Reporter

            Rod Woodruff as Fencer

            Celestia Fox
            
            Garry Cooper as Stroyan

            Lain Glen
            
See full cast