Only half the film is on Stanley's invasion/supposed "search." The other half is a lot of introspection about his early life as an orphan abused by the man who took him in. That half slows the film down to a crawl. It's bad Dickens imitation, and not told in an interesting way.
Nat'l Geographic did present this, as they did originally sponsor the invasion force. Yes, invasion force. Stanley and his men were heavily armed, intruding in other nations' territory. A local chief leading his people to fight off slave traders is shown as evil and barbarous. Most people would say he's the good guy. But Stanley befriended the slave trader and fought alongside him against the anti slavery local natives, personally killing at least half a dozen.
Stanley also, the film made clear, was using forced labor. Once local porters joined they could not leave, and were beaten and threatened, poorly fed, living under dangerous conditions, and died at high rates. Finally they had enough and rebelled.
So Nat Geo actually showed the ugly sides of Stanley, and is to be commended for that. The friendship between Stanley and Livingstone and the later dispute back in London over whether Stanley made up his stories are where the film slows down to a crawl. It's as slow paced as those awful Merchant Ivory films. But if you enjoy them, you might enjoy this.
Nat'l Geographic did present this, as they did originally sponsor the invasion force. Yes, invasion force. Stanley and his men were heavily armed, intruding in other nations' territory. A local chief leading his people to fight off slave traders is shown as evil and barbarous. Most people would say he's the good guy. But Stanley befriended the slave trader and fought alongside him against the anti slavery local natives, personally killing at least half a dozen.
Stanley also, the film made clear, was using forced labor. Once local porters joined they could not leave, and were beaten and threatened, poorly fed, living under dangerous conditions, and died at high rates. Finally they had enough and rebelled.
So Nat Geo actually showed the ugly sides of Stanley, and is to be commended for that. The friendship between Stanley and Livingstone and the later dispute back in London over whether Stanley made up his stories are where the film slows down to a crawl. It's as slow paced as those awful Merchant Ivory films. But if you enjoy them, you might enjoy this.