The legendary true-story of Capt. Richard Francis Burton and Lt. John Hanning Speke's tumultuous expedition to find the source of the Nile river.
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Title: Mountains of the Moon (1990)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Patrick Bergin | ... | Richard Burton | |
| Iain Glen | ... | John Hanning Speke | |
| Richard E. Grant | ... | Oliphant | |
| Fiona Shaw | ... | Isabel | |
| John Savident | ... | Lord Murchison | |
| James Villiers | ... | Lord Oliphant | |
| Adrian Rawlins | ... | Edward | |
| Peter Vaughan | ... | Lord Houghton | |
| Delroy Lindo | ... | Mabruki | |
| Bernard Hill | ... | Dr. Livingstone | |
| Matthew Marsh | ... | William | |
| Richard Caldicot | ... | Lord Russell | |
| Christopher Fulford | ... | Herne | |
| Garry Cooper | ... | Stroyan | |
| Roshan Seth | ... | Ben Amir | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The story of Captain Richard Francis Burton and Lt. John Hanning Speke's expedition to find the source of the Nile river in the name of Queen Victoria's British Empire. The film tells the story of their meeting, their friendship emerging amidst hardship, and then dissolving after their journey. Written by Greg Bole <bole@life.bio.sunysb.edu>
Plot Keywords:
female rear nudity | gay | female frontal nudity | kissing while having sex | premarital sex |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 February 1990 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Kaukaiset vuoret See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$19,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$66,683, 25 February 1990Gross USA:
$4,011,793Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$4,011,793Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Rankcolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Recorded by David Fanshawe
From the album "Africa - Ceremonial & Folk Music"
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The actual real-life Mountains of the Moon are shown in David Attenborough's 2013 natural wildlife television documentary series Africa (2013). See more »Goofs
Although Larry Oliphant is portrayed as a homosexual, by all accounts he was in real life heterosexual: the filmmakers changed his sexual orientation to create a more dramatic reason for Speke's betrayal of Burton after all they had gone through together. See more »Quotes
Arab chief in Cairo: In this wilderness you will find only Allah's terrible whimsy.See more »
Crazy Credits
This motion picture's opening title card reads: "East African Coast 1854". See more »Soundtracks
Wagogo Soothing SongRecorded by David Fanshawe
From the album "Africa - Ceremonial & Folk Music"
See more »
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I hardly have the words to describe what I think and how I feel about this movie. Except that I find it stunning. The wild scenery where the two characters' friendship is shaped was splendid, absolutely breathtaking. It was so interesting and moving to watch Richard and John evolve around each other and get so close and united when confronted with life-and-death situations in the wilderness. The story revolves around great ideals and principles in an age of innocence, when human bonding, friendship, love, still had that touch of solemnity, honor and oath. It was very sad to see how John's deep feelings for his best, truest friend degenerate under the manipulation of a man with no scruples. The ending was heartbreaking and liberating, at the same time. The highpoint of the film was, in my opinion, when Richard is shown the unfinished bust of his late friend. The loving, nostalgic look and smile he displays while adjusting John's cheek-bones sums up beautifully the entire story of their friendship, and also suggests that John will always be in Richard's heart, as he knew him for real in Africa, when they went through so many things together, despite his naive, reckless betrayal and despite the games of interests that followed when returning to the civilized world. Truly excellent, I highly recommend it to everyone. It works magic for the soul.