Mountains of the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Whatever happened to Patrick Bergin?
Review: This movie is fantastic, that is until it decides to roam aimlessley through history, picking up bits of plot from Speke's consequent journey, and discarding the events of the first expedition entirely. This movie should by seen by people whoe either have no idea of what actually occurred, or by people who have a complete idea of what occurred, otherwise one would become completely lost. The viewer has no sense of time or place, only through casual reference, sometimes none at all, is the chronology or place of events given to the viewer. Anyone who thought the plot of this movie was good should immediately read "The White Nile" by Alan Moorehead for more casual reading, or the journals of Burton and Speke themselves to realized the travesty of diverting the plot. Why do screenwriters insist on changing history when the history is far better than anything their pea brains can come up with? I will never know. However, despite the historical indolence, the movie does have superb casting, dialogue, and cinematography, I know why the Coen brothers always use Roger Deakins as their DP, the man is a genius. But what the hey ever happened to Patrick Bergin? He is fantastic in this movie, it seems to me that "Sleeping with the Enemy" killed his potentially great career. But then again I havent seen any of his other work, so maybe his career is as great as it should be. Mountains of the Moon, although badly titled, since the movie has absolutely nothing to do with the Ruwenzori mountains(mtns. of the moon), is a good movie, but the divergence of history cannot be overlooked says me. When are they going to make a Samuel Baker movie? That's what I want to know.

Rating:
Summary: Ripping Good Yarn and the Last of Genre
Review: This wonderfully intelligent, beautifully acted, photographed and directed film of an exciting and true chapter in history bombed at the box office for no discernible reason other than it didn't have big stars and probably wasn't hyped enough.

Made by one of America's best directors, Bob Rafelson, this story of Burton and Speke's quest for the source of the Nile is one of the last best of the great historical epics made pre-CGI and shot on location and ranks right up there with Lawrence, Zulu, etc.

The film makes plain just what a dangerous and crazy enterprise this kind of effort was with both men nearly killed on the first outing. Speke is captured and speared in arms and thighs and Burton has a spear shoved through one side of his face and out the other. They barely manage an escape and return to England. And yet, they go back and try again!

The second attempt is an arduous and ghastly journey as well, with danger, death and disease plaguing every step. The character of the two men is revealed in these travails, and the film is an exploration of the bonds of friendship and loyalty and the strains that can bind or tear them apart.

This is wonderful stuff with two daring and mad white Englishman traipsing around uncharted Africa in search of a river's source for the adventure, discovery, thrill and fame of it all. They endure unimaginable hardship only to have a falling-out on their return to England.

Sir Richard Burton , translator of the Arabian Nights and various erotic literature, swordsman, rake, linguist was a brilliant, unorthodox and unconventional man. He is wonderfully played by Patrick Bergin, with vitality, humor and charisma to spare. John Hanning Speke is shown as a disciplined and courageous explorer & friend, but troubled and conflicted sexually and emotionally. LLain Glen is wonderful as the tightly wrapped Speke, severely suppressing his (probable) homosexuality.

The supporting cast is fine, and the photography and location filming exceptional. The complications of the relationships: Burton and his wife, Burton and Speke, Speke & his probable lover, are limned with taste and intelligence.

Nineteenth century Africa would be a forbidding and hazardous place for native and non-native alike. It would take exceptional men to leave behind all they knew and venture into a completely unknown and uncharted vast continent, without communications and without a supply line and completely on your own. Lunacy if you think about it. Well, whether historically accurate in every detail or not, this film captures the essence of this mad quest and the extraordinary men who made it! Well worth your while.

Rating:
Summary: Whatever happened to Patrick Bergin?
Review: Though I give it credit for fine acting and cinematography, this film is yet another example of a long list of films that disturbingly sanitize history. Anyone who has done any critical research on this subject will quickly discover that Burton and Speke hated each other well before the expedition ever began. What is more, Speke never married nor had children and there is evidence to suggest that he was probably homosexual. In addition, the interpersonal relationships between the characters in the film are grossly skewed to support the filmmaker's desire to produce a film that is not rooted in historical accuracy. Finally, Speke's death is portrayed as a suicide and any evidence that exists as to Burton having possibly murdered him is practically non-existent in the film. Again, a sad film in my opinion for butchering history into some type of myopic re-presentation. Booooo!

Rating:
Summary: Sanitized History...
Review: Though I give it credit for fine acting and cinematography, this film is yet another example of a long list of films that disturbingly sanitize history. Anyone who has done any critical research on this subject will quickly discover that Burton and Speke hated each other well before the expedition ever began. What is more, Speke never married nor had children and there is evidence to suggest that he was probably homosexual. In addition, the interpersonal relationships between the characters in the film are grossly skewed to support the filmmaker's desire to produce a film that is not rooted in historical accuracy. Finally, Speke's death is portrayed as a suicide and any evidence that exists as to Burton having possibly murdered him is practically non-existent in the film. Again, a sad film in my opinion for butchering history into some type of myopic re-presentation. Booooo!