Mountains of the Moon

Looking for action that earns its set pieces, available in Australia on Rialto Amazon Channel? Mountains of the Moon delivers them. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Patrick Bergin's performance is the throughline that holds the set pieces together. Put it on tonight on Rialto Amazon Channel and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Mountains of the Moon is worth clearing space for. Mountains of the Moon moves fast and earns its action sequences rather than just delivering them. The story of Captain Richard Francis Burton's and Lt. John Hanning Speke's expedition to find the source of the Nile river in the name of Queen Victoria's British Empire. Patrick Bergin and Iain Glen lead a cast that keeps the chaos grounded in who's actually at stake. It hit screens in 1990. Mountains of the Moon earns its bigger moments by making you care about the outcome before it happens. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

The genre has a long history of front-loading its best moments — Mountains of the Moon is not one of those. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Patrick Bergin brings a physicality to the role that elevates every set piece. Action that earns its sequences rather than just delivering them.

Mountains of the Moon was released in 1990, directed by Bob Rafelson. The full 136-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.