“Edge of the World” is available to view On Demand. In the 1963 film “Lord Jim,” the screen adaptation of Conrad’s novel, actor Peter O’Toole brought those qualities to his portrayal of Sir James Brooke. A riverside nature trail providing access to viewing, fishing and canoe launch areas, as well as a rivers edge trail. His acting is bland rather than convincing, relying more on inner struggles than on the strength and charisma that would inspire men to follow him in peace or war. Rhys-Meyers does little in his portrayal of Brooke to garner our sympathy or admiration. At times, the screenplay does not serve either of these narrative goals and becomes muddled and confusing, often relying on clichéd lines like “to have peace, we must make war.” The plot that encompasses native uprisings, marauding pirates and more than one gory beheading also attempts to portray an introspective Brooke, worried about the sullied reputation he has left behind in England and hoping to create a more meaningful life in Borneo. “Edge of the World” suffers from several flaws and shortcomings. Brooke’s views opposing colonialism and the exploitation of colonized lands are forward thinking and admirable, but mid-nineteenth century monarchs and mercantile barons see only the profits to be made from mining and trade. But he vows to remain in Borneo while urging his companions to request the British Navy to send a steamship that can travel up the river so they can destroy the pirates who are marauding ships traveling in the southern Pacific waters.Ī steamship does arrive, but the captain’s orders are to go into Borneo’s interior to find gold and other precious metals. When Brooke’s two British companions, who have stayed with him for several months in Borneo, now plan to return on the next ship home, they urge Brooke to go with them. When the fighting is over, the Sultan of Brunei rewards Brooke for his help in squashing the rebellion by making him Rajah of Sarawak.Īlong with being a ruler in this strange land, Brooke is also rewarded with the love of the island’s most beautiful woman, Fatima (Atiqah Hasiholan). Brooke easily sides with Badruddin, who is more benevolent in his governing style and who eschews Mahkota’s warring practice of beheading his enemies. Game of Thrones), explores the wonders of one of the wildest places on Earth through the lives of extraordinary animals. But trouble finds him.Ī rebellion is brewing as two princes, Badruddin (Samo Raphael) and Mahkota (Bront Palarae), who are cousins but have vastly different views on warring and governance, clash. It is 1839 and Brooke, having found life in Victorian England stultifying and tedious, now spends his time paddling the streams in Borneo, observing, drawing, and writing about plants never seen before in England. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers plays adventurer Sir James Brooke.ĭisenchanted with his life in England, where he has abruptly ended an engagement and left another woman pregnant, James Brooke lands in Borneo intending to do botanical research for the Royal Geographic Society.
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