An amazing romance-adventure classic highlighted by the brilliant performances of Bogart and Hepburn. Oscar winner Bogart's Charlie is a broken man who finds true hope and happiness in Hepburn's Rose. Rose finds love and meaning from Charlie. It's adorable to see them call each other "Missus" and "Mr. Almont" even when we know that they love each other. Even when they have their "first quarrel" near the end of the picture, we know that their lives have changed forever as a result of the other person. It's a film about true love. This is also a very funny film, which was a shock to director Huston. Bogart's stomach growling scene early on in the film is a hoot. More humor commences as both stars play off of each other wonderfully. The scenary is beautiful. No film has captured the essence and importance of nature better than this classic. This is the film that sparked other romance adventures such as "Romancing the Stone" and "Six Days and Seven Nights." Before you view those newer installments, you better check out the one and true original classic.
The African Queen
1951
Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / War
The African Queen
1951
Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / War
Keywords: africafaithworld war iboatriver
Plot summary
September 1914, news reaches the colony in German East Africa that war has broken out across Europe making British Reverend Samuel Sayer a hostile foreigner. German imperial troops burn down his mission; he is beaten and dies of fever. His well-educated, snobbish sister Rose Sayer buries him and leaves by the only available transport, the dilapidated river steamboat 'African Queen' of grumpy Charlie Allnut. As if a long difficult journey without any comfort weren't bad enough for such odd companions, she is determined to find a way to do their part for the British war effort while avenging her brother and aims high, as God is obviously on their side: construct their own torpedo and use the converted steamboat to take out a huge German warship, the Louisa, which is hard to find or reach on the giant lake. She presses till Charlie accepts to steam up the Ulanga, brave a German fort, raging rapids, bloodthirsty parasites, and the endlessly branching river which seems to go nowhere but impenetrable swamps. Despite fierce rows and moral antagonism between a bossy devout abstentionist and a free-spirited libertine drunken loner, the two grow closer to each-other as their quest drags on.
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The African Queen
A terrific film
Is this Humphrey Bogart's best film? In my opinion, no. But this is only because Bogey had so many terrific performances, I actually can think of one or two films I liked just a bit more. But, this isn't to say this is a bad film--it's terrific. The script, acting and direction all worked together to make a movie that deservedly gained notoriety and praise.
Is this Katherine Hepburn's best film? Probably. Mostly because not only did she do a great job of acting, but also because despite working in some of the worst conditions imaginable, everyone associated with the film marveled at her cheerful demeanor and professionalism.
The film begins in a British colony in Africa at the outbreak of WWI. Despite Katherine Hepburn and her brother (played briefly by Robert Morley) being missionaries, they are rough handled by the Germans and he is killed in the process. Kate, usually quite the lady, is stranded and angry but unable to do anything. When she meets up with a crusty old skipper of a small scow (Bogart),he agrees to help. However, when she insists that instead of taking her to safety that they take on the Germans, he thinks she's crazy.
A great script, great direction by John Huston and exceptional acting all work together to make this memorable. Should it be rated so highly on IMDb, maybe not...but it's still a heck of a good film.
Brilliant first-world war adventure
Wow, this was one fine first world war movie. It had adventure, it had humour and most importantly it was well made and one of the best screen pairings I feel in history. John Huston directs wonderfully, and the location shooting is marvellous, with the cinematography so beautiful and the scenery so exotic. The script is of exceptional quality, complete with endearing screwball humour, and the story is well constructed, well paced and exciting. The strongest asset though is the superb lead performances of Humphrey Bogart as the unkempt steamboat skipper and Katherine Hepburn as the prim spinster seemingly basing her character on Eleanor Roosevelt. The two share a chemistry that is positively magnetic and it works so well. That's why I consider this pairings one of the best screen pairings on film. Overall, brilliant, well worth seeing for the leads alone. 10/10 Bethany Cox