Today’s movie is an action/adventure film with a scene that happens on May 8. Watch it tonight and enjoy.
MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
In 1854 John Speke arrives in East Africa and meets Richard Burton. They go on an expedition to discover the source of the Nile. They are attacked by the natives. Burton is injured, while Speke is captured and injured, but escapes. They return to England, where Burton speaks at the Royal Geographical society. Burton is introduced to Isabel Adams and they become a couple. A publisher wants Speke to go on another expedition so he can publish the books Speke will write. They return to Africa for a new expedition. They rescue an escaped slave who was being punished by being chained and left to be eaten by lions. Speke shots the lion just as it was about to maul Burton. Some of their bearers run off, they encounter hostile tribes, dangerous bugs and bad water.The rest for a time in a peaceful valley and Burton is injured. They leave and reach Lake Tanganyika. They use canoes to explore the lake. They leave the lake and head north. They are imprisoned by a hostile tribe. After Speke has an encounter with the King’s sister he is allowed to take some of the party on an exploring trip. After his return Burton and Speke argue about whether he’s actually found the Nile source. They return to England, with Speke arriving on May 8, 1858. [1:39:29 to 1:42:06] Speke addresses the Royal Geographical Society after he is convinced that in his report of their initial expedition Burton called him a coward. Burton and Isabel get married. Speke gets all the glory for having found source of Nile, while Burton says he didn’t. Burton is apathetic about this, causing friction with his wife. Burton meets David Livingstone and they compare injuries. Livingstone suggests Burton and Speke debate and they agree. Speke learns Burton never labeled him a coward. Speke is killed in circumstances where it is not clear if it was accident or suicide. When Burton is speaking the next day he is shocked to learn this.
A good adventure film. Relates the hardships faced by the explorers of Africa. Also a good review of the personal relationship between Burton and Speke.
The Devil Drives by Fawn M. Brodie (W.W. Norton & Co., New York, 1967) at page 167 gives
this date for Speke’s return
this date for Speke’s return
Producer - Daniel Melnick
Director - Bob Rafelson
Screenplay - William Harrison
Running Time - 2 hours 16 minutes
Released - February 23, 1990
Starring - Patrick Bergin as Richard Burton, Iain Glen as John Speke, Fiona Shaw as Isabell Arundell, Peter Vaughn as Lord Houghton, Bernard Hill as David Livingstone
Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2015.
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