Mountains of the Moon covers the life and death of a friendship--that between Richard Burton, world-renowned explorer and sexual adventurer, and John Speke. The movie covers the years from their original meeting through to Speke's death. The two men went looking for the source of the Nile, and found Lake Tanganikya instead. Speke went on ahead and found an even bigger lake, which he believed was the source of the Nile. Burton thought it might possibly be the source, but didn't believe that Speke had proven it. The resulting fuss reveals more about class prejudice in England than scholarship--in fact, it turns out that they were both right. Speke had, indeed, found the source of the Nile--and he hadn't proved it.
I was disappointed. The story dragged, the scenery was unimpressive, and I really couldn't give a damn about any of the characters. The performances are adequate, if uninspired. Bergin did the best he could with Burton, but I'll bet cold hard cash that he was half as noble and three times more interesting than the movie portrayed him. Fiona Kelly had a nice bit as his wife, but I was distracted by what I knew of Isabel Burton's real-life actions (she burnt the only copy of his last book and all his diaries). Speke was dry and uninvolving--one wondered what the hell he was doing in Africa in the first place. Delroy Lindo had a small but significant part. He was quite good, but I would have ruthlessly chopped that particular subplot.
Really, I had expected better of Rafelson.
It's worth a look, though, if only to see the night raid on Burton's camp early in the movie. Best part of the movie, by far--I watched it twice. Ridley Scott could have taken some lessons. There's also a cute bit near the end when Burton and Livingston meet up. .
