Directed by:
John HustonCinematography:
Jack CardiffComposer:
Allan GrayCast:
Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel, Walter Gotell, Richard Marner, Errol John, Peter SwanwickVOD (3)
Plots(1)
At the start of World War 1, German imperial troops burn down Reverend Samuel Sayer's mission in Africa. He is overtaken with disappointment and passes away. Shortly after his well-educated, snooty sister Rose Sayer (Hepburn) buries her brother, she must leave on the only available transport, a tired river steamboat The African Queen manned by the ill-mannered bachelor, Charlie Allnut (Bogart). Together they embark on a long difficult journey, without any comfort. Rose grows determined to assist in the British war effort and presses Charlie until he finally agrees and together they steam up the Ulana encountering an enemy fort, raging rapids, bloodthirsty parasites and endlessly branching stream which always seem to lead them to what appear to be impenetrable swamps. Despite opposing personalities, the two grow closer to each other and ultimately carry out their plan to take out a German warship. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (4)
"Dear?... Dear?... What is your first name?" A romance as it should be, created in difficult locations and in the alcoholic haze of the perpetually drunk Bogart and Huston. The chemistry between Hepburn and Bogart is incredible, their witty verbal banter, full of charming one-liners, is brilliantly written, and the film's worldwide success is more than deserved. A must-see film classic.
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An adventure classic with a taste of the exotic. There is no doubt about the quality of the cast, but the screenplay sucks. Which makes me sad because John Hudson is one of my most favorite filmmakers and Bogart… Well, Bogart is a chapter of its own. Nothing happens during the whole of the movie and so the African Queen sails from nowhere to nowhere. If there wasn’t for the great chemistry between the pivotal couple I don’t know what else the movie has to offer to the viewer. But the magic between Bogart and Hepburn only exists in the original soundtrack, because the whiny Czech dubbing is completely unbearable. I awarded three * to rate this particular collaboration between Huston and Bogart, otherwise with regard to other film productions it’s a clear four stars.
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Yes, it could be expected that it would be a concert of two actors in their prime and it really is a concert. Bogart and Hepburn were not afraid that they could look dirty, unwashed, they just went for it and it ended absolutely great. In addition, there is an interesting, occasionally extremely funny story with a great ending that can warm a person's heart. One gets the feeling that true love really does exist.
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A romance in an unconventional adventure setting, which, through sweet words and the predictable development of the relationship of the likeable leading couple, builds up to a very impressive, tragicomic critique of the global military conflict. A straightforward tale of love, determination and one big, explosive plan that, while not a pioneer in either the romance or anti-war genres, created its own irresistible and endearingly simple cinematic world full of surprises and healthy human emotions... 80%
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