FORBIDDEN TERRITORY: STANLEY'S SEARCH FOR LIVINGSTONE

US, 1997, 96 minutes, Colour.
Aidan Quinn, Nigel Hawthorne, Edward Fox, Fay Masterson.
Directed by Simon Langton.

Forbidden Territory is an elegant telemovie, telling the story of journalist Henry Stanley's voyage to Africa, his search in the interior of East Africa for the missionary and explorer David Livingstone. This was the subject of the classic film, Stanley and Livingstone, with Spencer Tracy and Cedric Hardwicke in 1939.

Aidan Quinn does not seem to be the right type of actor for Stanley. However, he also dramatises Stanley's background as an orphan, treated cruelly, going to the United States, finding his feet as a journalist and as a reporter in dangerous situations. Nigel Hawthorn is benign and eccentric as Livingstone. There are some strong supporting performances by English actors like Edward Fox. The screenplay was written by John Pielmeier, author of Agnes of God and the telemovie about the missionaries killed in Salvador, Choices of the Heart.

1. A portrait of Stanley and Livingstone, how well-known to contemporary audiences? The heritage of the 1939 film?

2. The re-creation of the 19th century, London, Africa, the landscapes, the people, the animals? The mystery of the source of the Nile and the quests by many explorers, including Livingstone?

3. The sequences of the exploration, the Nile, Stanley and his travels, The Royal Geographic Society, the communication from Africa, the society thinking that Livingstone's letters were a hoax?

4. The introduction with Stanley in Spain, the battles, war correspondent, going to Paris, the encounter with Bennett? The meeting with Alice, his hopes, correspondence with her?

5. Getting the background to Livingstone, concealing the purpose of his journey, the discussion with the Englishman at the Geographic Society, the scepticism and hostility towards Livingstone? Going to Zanzibar, further information, the expenditure for the expedition, the hardships of the travel? The marauders, the men who were ill, their departure, Stanley whipping the cowards? The tough attitudes? The background of white supremacy and empire?

6. The opening with Livingstone and the massacre, in the village? His reputation, hostility in England, the reality? His sense of mission? His relationship with his family, leaving them, his son Robert dying during the Civil War? His joy, his meeting Stanley? Becoming allies? His secret about the massacre and his revelation?

7. The relationship between Stanley and Livingstone, the father-son? Each telling the story of his family, Stanley and the true story about his being from Wales, an orphan, New Orleans, Mr Stanley giving him his name, the harshness in the flashbacks? The experience of the Civil War, on the South, prison, changing sides? The flashbacks of the war?

8. The shared stories, the bargain about exploration, Livingstone to return, his going back on his promise, the search for the Nile, his death?

9. Stanley and Alice, her relationship with him, the hopes, the letters? His return, her being married? His lecture, the hostility, his being vindicated by the Livingstone family? Livingstone and his stances against slavery? Stanley and his experience of slavery, the gift of the boy, his bringing him to England?

10. The return of Livingstone's remains, the funeral, Stanley's oration?

11. A picture of 19th century ideals, empire, hardships and slavery, the changes wrought in the 20th century in Africa?