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Mountains of the Moon

Play trailer Poster for Mountains of the Moon R Released Feb 23, 1990 2h 15m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Hanning Speke (Iain Glen) are explorers determined to find the source of the Nile somewhere in central Africa. Together, they run afoul of native peoples, inclement weather and no end of personal injury before reaching what could be the discovery they'd hoped for. When they get back to England, however, the two have a falling out. Speke insists he has discovered the Nile's source, while Burton thinks the evidence insufficient.

Critics Reviews

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Kurt Jacobsen Chicago Reader Rafelson concocts mediocre entertainment at a high cost. Rated: 1/4 May 12, 2022 Full Review Richard Combs Sight & Sound The narrative sprawls in the usual epic fashion -- though largely without the usual epic excitements. Jan 16, 2020 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: C Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An excellent motion picture. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 8, 2024 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) A filmed epitaph, beautiful mausoleum, but without much energy beneath the marbel. [Full review in Spanish] Nov 1, 2022 Full Review Bruce C. Steele OutWeek Who would have picked Bob Rafelson as the heir to David Lean? But there it is: an epic, historical adventure of the sort you thought they didn't make anymore. May 19, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This film is criminally underrated. It's a gem of a film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Incredible true story of explorer Sir Richard Burton's quest to find the original of the Nile River. Filled with colorful visual cinematography, vivid cultural panoramas and plot twists. There are several scenes in this movie you will NEVER forget! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review lanfranco c Looking for the sources of the Nile Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This is an underrated epic. A true story on an important subject, that is today taken for granted in the modern 'Google Earth' era. This is a good depiction of Burton and Speke, and their 19th century story about locating the source of The Nile river in Africa. The unfortunate fate of their relationship is portrayed excellently, in this well-acted and written film, with terrific cinematography. I highly recommend it as a history lesson and great cinema. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member awesome historical pic Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I was fascinated by the history brought alive and thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mountains of the Moon

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Cast & Crew

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Bob Rafelson

Director

Patrick Bergin

Richard Francis Burton

Iain Glen

John Hanning Speke

Fiona Shaw

Isabel Arundell

Richard E. Grant

Larry Oliphant

Peter Vaughan

Lord Houghton

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Mountains of the Moon

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Mountains of the Moon

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Movie Info

Synopsis Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Hanning Speke (Iain Glen) are explorers determined to find the source of the Nile somewhere in central Africa. Together, they run afoul of native peoples, inclement weather and no end of personal injury before reaching what could be the discovery they'd hoped for. When they get back to England, however, the two have a falling out. Speke insists he has discovered the Nile's source, while Burton thinks the evidence insufficient.
Director
Bob Rafelson
Producer
Daniel McInick
Screenwriter
William Harrison, Bob Rafelson
Production Co
IndieProd, Carolco Pictures Inc., Zephyr Films
Rating
R
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 23, 1990, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.4M
Runtime
2h 15m
Sound Mix
Surround