Kenneth Haigh as Burton in the 1974 BBC six-part series        "Search for the Nile" - Written by Michael Hastings Home    Next

Burton dallies with a local lady somewhere in Arabia

Young Burton meets Isabel at a ball and does not make too favourable an impression on his future Mother-in-Law

Burton appears here in Mandarin attire as he receives Speke's entreaties to be allowed to accompany him, for a second time, on that fateful trip to central Africa.

Speke (John Quentin) would really like to take his own expedition to seek an unknown lake, described by Arab traders. Burton is disinclined to do this, but allows Speke the latitude and in doing so, misses the opportunity for fame in discovering Lake Victoria and its potential as a possible source for the Nile.

Burton is not exactly overjoyed when Speke returns, declaring that he has found the source of the Nile.  He asks Speke if he'd like to have some eggs and coffee.

Returning to London, Burton reads that Speke has gone back on his promise not to announce any findings until Burton's return, and  has taken full credit for the discovery of the Nile and been lionized by all of Britain. Well, almost all ..... Home    Next