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*
QuickView
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