2 explorers, Richard Francis Burton (Patrick Bergen) and John Hanning Speke (Iain Glen) set out to find the source of the Nile facing hard and often quite unpleasant challenges along the way. Burton is more down to earth, relaxed and experienced, while Speke is more ambitious and headstrong; they nevertheless become firm friends.
Interesting and very different African adventure from Bob Rafelson - this is no King Solomon's Mines. Indeed, the narrative structure and attempts to follow Speke's ever changing character is sometimes a little messy as they live from one adventure to another and then back to blighty to tell their tales to the Royal Geographical Society, gain support and in Burton's case fall in love with Fiona Shaw. The performances from the leads are good though, as is the always impressive Fiona Shaw with the supporting cast providing enough famous faces to make a dozen British costume dramas. A little long, but worth catching.
Interesting and very different African adventure from Bob Rafelson - this is no King Solomon's Mines. Indeed, the narrative structure and attempts to follow Speke's ever changing character is sometimes a little messy as they live from one adventure to another and then back to blighty to tell their tales to the Royal Geographical Society, gain support and in Burton's case fall in love with Fiona Shaw. The performances from the leads are good though, as is the always impressive Fiona Shaw with the supporting cast providing enough famous faces to make a dozen British costume dramas. A little long, but worth catching.