Despite its shortcomings, Rafelson, whose earlier work has been more confined stories — "Five Easy Pieces," "The Postman Always Rings Twice" — is to be congratulated for tackling a character who has too long eluded the movies. And for largely succeeding.

There are many memorable episodes here, ranging from the tribe that spits a liquid in the explorers' faces as a symbol of friendship, to Burton and Dr. Livingstone (I presume) showing off their scars in a form of oneupmanship. And there is, as moviegoers will see, a startling twist at the end, for those who don't already know, with regard to the discovery of the Nile's source.

Mention should also be made of Fiona Shaw's memorable turn as Burton's wife; she's his match in every way, and Rafelson allows us to see it without overstating the fact. (Shaw is also in the current "My Left Foot" as Christy Brown's doctor.) And of Paul Onsongo and Delroy Lindo as two African natives who play important roles in the second expedition.

"Mountains of the Moon" is rated a deserved R for extreme violence and profanity, as well as sex and nudity (in fact, if ever nudity seemed gratuitous, it is in two scenes in this film with Burton and his wife).