(upbeat music)
(energized music)
(chanting)
- [Narrator] Cairo, a bustling city, where not
only Egyptians, but Turks and Greeks,
Armenians, Jews, Syrians, all mingled,
caravans passed through on their way
to Meccah, Demascus, Bagdhad, and going up the Nile River
to black Africa, a never ending spectacle
that has gone on for centuries.
(overlapping conversations)
- Come and see my great medical medicine cup,
a secret potion guaranteed to cure anything that ails you.
See it with your own eyes.
(upbeat music)
Ah, here sir.
(laughs)
- None of you will believe what you will now see
right before your very eyes.
Just watch.
(panting)
(oohing)
- Well as you see, can't wait more.
- And just what's in it?
- Oh, one of Allah's great blessings,
a true pure, a special medicine, it is oil petroleum.
(suspenseful music)
- Your tea.
- Thank you.
(gulping)
- Master? - Yes.
- Your secretary is waiting in the salon.
- [Luigi] Then if we can believe Bruce,
if he's correct in his findings.
Lake Tana as described by the Jesuit Paez is the source.
Ah James, a pleasant walk?
- Very instructive.
Have you found enough bearers who will come along with us?
- Yes, 20 of them, but it was very hard to convince them.
As soon as I told them where we were going.
(upbeat music)
I want to find bearers.
- [Bearers] Here we are, we are you bearers.
Very strong.
- Look, ah, muscle men.
- I always grin and bear it.
- Bear anything.
- We'll go up the Nile, all the way to Abyssinia
- We be seeing ya.
(screaming)
- And that was that.
- It's true, not many caravans pass by Abyssinia.
I'm not surprised the bearers were scared.
- Well anyway, we don't want cowards on our expedition.
I'm going to the source of the Nile no matter what it takes.
(muttering)
- The Nile.
Yeah, it's a long river with a long history.
It's true the Egyptians worshiped the sun as a god,
however it was more to the Nile
that they owe their survival.
Four centuries before our era, Herodotus had
chronicled the floods, which placed silt
in the plains and made them fertile.
- Egypt is a gift of the Nile,
and farther up near the source.
- After as one, master, waterfalls.
No boat can navigate, no way to go up.
(water rushing)
(suspenseful music)
(groaning)
- It is beyond that's one the land of Nubiair,
regions unexplored, full of surprises and mysteries.
- Well go on.
Did Bruce discover the source of the Nile?
- James Bruce was a character, an aristocratic
Scotsman, he traveled for amusement,
the more difficult, the better for him.
He was sure it would be in Abyssinia, today, Ethiopia.
- The source of the Nile is much
further south on the map, isn't it?
- Well yes and no.
Today we know there are two sources of the Nile.
Bruce didn't have an accurate map,
but without doubt and without a trace of fear, he set off.
It was a good thing that he was fearless,
considering all the obstacles that he encountered.
So leaving Egypt, he set sail on the Red Sea.
(energetic music)
(calling out)
(grunting)
- Yasin, see to it that the men who aren't needed topside
remain below deck out of sight.
On the Red Sea there are more pirates than fish.
I wanna surprise anybody who tries to get in our way.
Now you can distribute these to the crew.
- Oh.
- [Bruce] And for you
this.
(laughing)
Now here's the idea.
It's very simple, the moment we spot a pirate, we'll.
- James, look what's coming.
- Let's have a closer look.
Right, they're pirates, there's no doubt.
Wait 'til they're closer.
(suspenseful music)
- Ah ha, what a pretty prize.
There aren't many of them.
(laughing)
This will be like candy from a baby.
Look alive, lads, prepare to board.
You'll be leading the boarding party,
and so you'll hide behind the gunners
'til the last second, an old pirate trick.
It always works.
Praise God.
- I know why you're the chief.
You're so intelligent.
(energetic music)
- Get ready.
- Mhmm.
- Get ready.
- Mhmmm.
- All right men, board this ship.
(grunting)
- Open fire.
(grunting)
(laughing)
(splash)
- Your move, you Yasin, make my day.
- Oh.
- That's not how I planned it.
I hate it when this happens.
(bang)
(suspenseful music)
(muttering)
(screaming)
(grunting)
- Well that's a good job.
That's a fine catch.
(laughing)
- Help, we're sinking, help.
- Intelligent chief.
(intriguing music)
- Here we are in Massawa.
Keep ashore our pride.
This place could be dangerous.
(speaking foreign language)
- And what now?
- Directions southwest, other side of the mountains.
- They're coming, bandits.
- Already. Why you can't say it's boring.
- Welcome to Massawa, and the world is barren,
so please receive our hospitality.
- For sure and to hurry.
(suspenseful music)
- What?
(grunting)
- Now, now, are you refusing our hospitality?
- Why don't we play act?
These guys might be a little dangerous.
(laughing)
- Go.
(laughing)
(water pouring)
(birds chirping)
- I would be interested to know just why you've come.
- My name is James Bruce.
This many is my secretary, Luigi Balugani.
I'm a British subject.
Here are my letters of introduction
from the king of Scotland, the sultans
of Constantinople, Cairo, and of Meccah.
- You are far from home.
What are you doing here?
- I'm interested in geography, sir,
and alas at home, we know nothing of your land.
- My orders are plain, stop all foreigners here,
but it might amuse my king to observe Europeans.
Perhaps, you wouldn't be a doctor by any chance?
There's one needed right now at the royal palace in Gondar.
- My friend, what about that?
Fortune rewards those who dare.
Yes, I'm a doctor, and if the king's sick, I can cure him.
- Then let me wish you a splendid drink.
My trusted assistant will of course go as your companion.
(upbeat music)
- Not so fast. This is hard. Nobody walks so fast.
- Do you realize, Luigi, we're
expanding the frontiers of knowledge?
How many centuries have these mountains
cut off Abyssinia from the world?
It's magic and mysterious, and now we'll know it.
- You're right, now we'll learn its secrets.
- They walk for three weeks, and then came to Akora,
This was the first city of any size on their route.
(overlapping conversations)
(laughing)
(speaking another language)
- Look.
(groaning)
- If you're wondering why they're locked up,
it's very simple, they're put in cages,
and the families pay the king a ransom to get them out.
- A good way to collect taxes.
You have to pay him.
- Here you can see the Obelisks of Axum.
Quite nice, wouldn't you say?
- Uh.
- What are they doing?
- Nothing, they're a bit hungry.
That is all.
(grunting)
(cow mooing)
- I don't suppose they're gonna eat it raw.
- It would appear they are.
Thanks.
Mmm, it's not bad.
In fact, it's wonderful, delicious.
Do you wanna try some?
- It must have been the Ethiopians who first
made tartare steak and the carpaccio.
(upbeat music)
(grunting)
- Oh, we're in trouble, they mean business.
(screaming)
- Let's go back. They're too dangerous.
(groaning)
(speaking foreign language)
- He says that we have no right to walk here.
We better go away right now.
- Come on, no way we will do that.
(grunting)
That's extortion.
(arguing and loud music)
(groaning)
Hey look at that.
(buzzing)
- [Bruce] Protect yourselves if you can.
- Come on, it's not the time.
(upbeat music)
(moaning)
(upbeat music)
- Here it's strange in the Nile.
Surprises make this a night.
Well isn't this the way back home?
(groaning)
- This is Gondar.
- It's about time.
You know we've walked almost 100 days.
- Yes, only we're not there yet.
I'm looking for the source of the Nile.
I'm sure it's right over there.
- Yes only now it's to the palace
to the king to introduce you.
(speaking another language)
(glasses clanking)
- Oh my glasses.
(grunting)
- What's this?
(banging)
- Hey.
- Whoa.
(laughing)
- Introducing you now, he's not here,
but the queen will receive you.
- Look at this.
- Come, come closer.
It is you who are the doctors.
- Yes, madam, are there some sick people at the palace?
- I am Itigry, queen mother.
The king is absent.
A terrible evil has fallen on my grandchildren.
Please come.
(sad music)
Enter.
Can you cure them?
(moaning)
- It's small pox.
Luigi, go get the bag of medicine and some hot water.
(moaning)
(snoring)
(gasping)
(joyful music)
- Oh doctor, it is a true miracle.
You are a godsend doctor.
My son is at war again.
It is his vizier Ras Mikael and him
alone who is behind this violence.
I couldn't bear losing my grandchildren.
- Yes, oh.
- Violence, more violence, you see these wretched,
the killing of an enemy in combat,
and it is that man who is responsible for all of it.
You will meet him.
(upbeat music)
- Doctor James Bruce and his assistant Balugani.
- Yes.
- We're supposed to kneel and kiss the emperor's foot.
It's the custom, yeah.
- That'll be the day.
- Yeah.
(grunting)
- I salute you, Tekle Haymanot emperor of Abyssinia,
yeah, and his great vizier.
I have come from far away.
I have come to Lake Tana because I think it's
there I'll find the source of the Nile.
- Well I think nobody would travel so far
in so much danger just to observe a lake.
He's mad or lying.
I believe the man's a spy.
- Calm down Ras Mikael.
This man cured my grandchildren.
I personally vouch for him.
- Foreigners you are our guests, welcome.
Tonight is our victory feast, and you will join us.
(groaning)
(grunting)
- As I was saying, I would like your
permission to visit Lake Tana.
- That is where we are at war with the Kalas.
Only our bravest warriors, and
in great numbers, can go there.
- If you'll allow me, tomorrow at dawn,
I will demonstrate what warriors are like in my country.
And you're all invited to watch the show.
Your majesty, royal highnesses, nice to see you.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's showtime.
(groaning)
(upbeat music)
(horse neighs)
(clanking)
- May I?
(upbeat music)
- Oh my goodness.
- You have proved you're a great warrior.
You will come with us the next time we go.
- Thanks a lot.
(energetic music)
(speaking another language)
- What, these are the fierce Kalas?
- Oh we are.
- What is this some circus act?
(clopping)
(grunting)
(groaning)
- What are you waiting for?
(groaning)
(screaming)
- I salute you, one and all.
You are, all of you, brave warriors,
men who have earned glory, yeah.
I respect you, and I wish you no ill,
but for two years, I've tried to reach Lake Tana.
Nobody's going to make me stop.
I wish you a good day, gentlemen.
- He's crazy. You hear him?
I have all my warriors ready to fight,
and what's he interested in?
Lake Tana.
- Instead of fighting like a normal warrior,
he swims, he's dangerous.
- It's not to take a swim.
It's because Lake Tana must surely
be the source of the Nile.
- What are you waiting for?
Go on, stop the madness again.
Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.
- We fight all the time.
- Yeah right, war's good, but I'm giving it up.
- We might go into the tourist business
with a lake nearby and all.
- You hate to fight and die.
Come on now, get busy.
- They'd rather not fight, we'll go back.
It takes two to tango, but that Bruce is something else.
- Warriors, we're going home.
(laughing)
- Hey James, wait for us.
(upbeat music)
- At last.
- Listen.
- It has to be a waterfall.
This could be it.
(panting)
Yes that's it, I knew that I'd find it.
The source of the Nile, the source of the Nile.
(laughing)
- Naturally, he would be really happy after all that.
- Ah, yes, but two disappointments awaited him.
The first was when he went down the river to Egypt.
Bruce found that another great river
flowed into the Nile at Khartoum.
He had discovered only one source of the Nile,
and that's the one we call the Blue Nile,
and a century went by before
the source of the White Nile was known.
- What other disappointment did he have?
- Yeah, well at the time, Europe wasn't ready for his story.
He returned home, and in England, he published his account.
He described his adventures in
Ethiopia, blood thirsty emperors,
hippopotamuses,
eating beef steak raw.
Well he found that nobody would believe him.
(groaning)
(door slams)
In France, however, a young Corsican general,
who was planning to invade Egypt,
took very serious interest in all the information
contained in Bruce's account.
- Hmm, interesting, very interesting.
- [Narrator] In the 19th century, an entirely new
generation of explorers came to the fore.
They were more professional, and inspired by Bruce,
they created the golden age of African exploration.
Burton and Speke found the source
of the White Nile, Lake Victoria.
A German, Barth explored the Sudan and lots of others.
There was Livingston, the great missionary explorer.
Only that, as I always say, is another story.
(upbeat music)