Mountains of the Moon

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Mountains of the Moon

R

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2h 15m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

77%

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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.

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Kurt Jacobsen

Chicago Reader

05/12/2022

1/4

Rafelson concocts mediocre entertainment at a high cost.

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Richard Combs

Sight & Sound

01/16/2020

The narrative sprawls in the usual epic fashion -- though largely without the usual epic excitements.

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Ed Gonzalez

Apollo Guide

07/25/2001

78/100

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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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

12/08/2024

3.5/4

An excellent motion picture.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

11/01/2022

A filmed epitaph, beautiful mausoleum, but without much energy beneath the marbel. [Full review in Spanish]

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Bruce C. Steele

OutWeek

05/19/2020

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.

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RONBO N

Oct 13

An absolutely enthralling epic. Brings the insight into a story that most people only scratch the surface of knowledge.

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10/01/2021

This film is criminally underrated. It's a gem of a film.

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09/09/2016

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!

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lanfranco c

@Lanfrancobz 05/29/2016

Looking for the sources of the Nile

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02/15/2016

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.

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10/21/2014

awesome historical pic

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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

Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - Scars of Africa

2:18

Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - The Horrors of Slavery

3:59

Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - Dangerous Gifts

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Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - Rescue

2:45

Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - I'll Say Your Name

3:51

Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - God Save the Queen

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Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - Night Raid

3:08

Mountains of the Moon: Official Clip - Spit Take

2:57

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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