Mountains of the Moon

Genre: historical adventure drama  

With: Patrick Bergin (Richard Francis Burton), Iain Glen (John Hanning Speke), Richard E. Grant (Larry Oliphant), Fiona Shaw (Isabel Arundell), John Savident (Lord Murchison), James Villiers (Lord Oliphant), Adrian Rawlins (Edward), Peter Vaughan (Lord Houghton), Delroy Lindo (Mabruki), Paul Onsongo (Sidi Bombay), Bernard Hill (Dr. Livingstone)

Director: Bob Rafelson

Screenplay: William Harrison and Bob Rafelson (from Harrison’s novel)

Release: 1990

Studio: Carolco Pictures, IndieProd Company Productions, Zephyr Films

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.7/10

‟Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand.”  – Guinean proverb*

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Story-line: J.H. Speke, an English medical worker and aspiring adventurer, travels to Africa to take part in R.F. Burton’s expedition sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society. As he tries to join Burton, Speke is informed that the expedition may (a) uncover hidden treasures inside the continent, (b) enhance knowledge of African tribal mores or (c) locate the origins of the Nile River near the ‟Mountains of the Moon”. Whatever is achieved, the enterprise will be perilous.

Pluses: great performances by a smashing Patrick Bergin and also by Iain Glen, Richard E. Grant, Fiona Shaw, Delroy Lindo, Paul Onsongo and cast, consummate direction in difficult conditions, a studious screenplay combining adventure, drama and even romance, awe-inspiring visuals (Roger Deakins) and production values, flawless editing by Thom Noble, Michael Small’s evocative score using both European themes and African rhythms.

Minuses: a few scenes are disturbingly violent. The imperialistic views expressed by some characters are fortunately countered by Burton’s humanistic attitude. 

Comments: at first, I wasn’t convinced that a story about explorers in Africa would make a good movie but MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON proved me utterly wrong. This exotic epic will astound you with its tale of friendship in the face of death, personal disagreements, scientific debate, power struggles and moral dilemmas. It is refreshing to know that, no matter how many films one has seen, there is still lots of original, engrossing material out there for movie buffs. This one’s a true find, my friends… and a considerable cinematic work.  

MBiS

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*Source: afritorial.com/the-best-72-african-wise-proverbs